Member Elaine O'Flynn went to Sydney for a year four years ago. In this time, she has carved a niche role for herself, combining her interests in accountancy, sustainability and the creative industry. Elaine is Sustainability Manager with Retail Apparel Group.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up on a farm just outside Fermoy in north Co. Cork and went to University in Limerick. After my undergraduate degree, I lived in Dublin during my training contract with KPMG. After that, I solo travelled South America for four months before relocating to Sydney with my partner. That was meant to be for a year but I’m still there nearly four years later…
What made you choose to become a Chartered Accountant?
I studied business and French in university and enjoyed the accounting/strategy modules so it was a natural progression to do my college placement in the accounting industry. My cousin was working in KPMG at the time and really enjoyed it, so I said I’d try it. Placement really sold the career to me, particularly the social aspect and working alongside such a young workforce. When I got offered a training contract to return after college it felt too good an opportunity to pass up.
Can you tell us a little about how you got to where you are today – both the geographical relocation and career path.
After leaving KPMG and moving to Sydney, I knew I wanted to work in something more strategical/risk based. It just so happened at the same time that my current boss was looking for someone to work on various financial and strategical projects for the fashion company he worked for. As we worked together more closely, I got involved in more sustainability/risk-based projects. This has always been an area of business I am passionate about, and I began to ask my business for more opportunities to work in this space. Three years later I have now transitioned to be the company’s first sustainability manager.
My current role involves developing the sustainability strategy for the business focusing on three key pillars: people, community and planet. This can range from projects such as calculating our carbon footprint and facilitating the business’ move to paper packaging, to building our charity partnerships or reporting on our business strategy for modern slavery.
What do you value most about your membership of the profession and how do you think those benefits can be used to support the economy and society?
The transferable skills it has given me to develop my career into risk and sustainability.
Being a chartered accountant has also been significantly valuable in terms of building my career in Sydney where Chartered Accountants are highly recognised and valued.
As a member living in Australia, can you talk to us about how your membership has been of value to you globally and what do you value about it now that you’re living overseas (and what would you like to see more of)?
Irish Chartered Accountants have a very strong reputation in Australia and I wouldn’t have my current role had I not followed these earlier career paths. My current boss is an Australian Chartered Accountant and so he recognised the potential and transferable skills I could bring to the role.
And finally, if you weren’t an accountant, what do you think you would you be/have been?
I always wanted to work in something creative so maybe art of some sort!
Elaine O'Flynn is Sustainability Manager with Retail Apparel Group.