Campbell Tyson Chartered Accountants

21/07/2026

The best mentor I ever had rarely gave me the answer.

Instead, he'd ask another question.

Early in my career, I'd walk over to his desk convinced I'd solved a problem.

He'd calmly argue the opposite.

Not because he disagreed with me, but because he wanted me to look at the situation from every angle and consider different perspectives before deciding on the best way forward.

At the time, I wondered whether he was making things harder than they needed to be.

Looking back, I realise he was teaching me one of the most valuable lessons of my career.

The first answer isn't always the best answer.

The real value comes from taking the time to understand the problem, challenge assumptions and think things through.

That lesson has shaped the way I work ever since.

Looking back, I also wish someone had told me that feeling out of your depth is usually a sign you're growing.

The opportunities that have had the biggest impact on my career were the ones I didn't think I was ready for.

If I'd waited until I felt completely confident, I would have missed many of them.

Confidence usually comes after you say yes. Not before.

If you're thinking about applying for the Campbell Tyson Training Programme, my advice is simple.

Bring your curiosity.

The technical skills will come, but the most rewarding part of this profession is understanding businesses, getting to know the people behind them and helping them navigate the opportunities and challenges they face.

The experiences that stretch you are often the ones that teach you the most.
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Kirsty | Director at Campbell Tyson
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Every career starts somewhere. Applications for our 2027 Training Programme are now open. We'd love to hear from you.

https://www.ct.co.nz/join-our-team/training-programme

17/07/2026

One conversation changed the direction of my career.

When I was 15 years old, a family friend arranged for me to have lunch with a partner from an Auckland accounting firm.

I thought we'd be talking about debits and credits.

Instead, we talked about businesses.

About restructures, mergers, tax planning, business strategy and the role accountants play in helping people make important decisions.

That conversation fired my imagination and set me on a career path that hasn't really changed in almost 40 years.

Not long after university, I nearly missed my opportunity to get into the profession. I'd been late applying for graduate roles and most firms had already filled their intakes. Then a place unexpectedly became available.

I accepted the offer, and it became the start of a career that has taken me further than I ever imagined.

One moment from those early years has stayed with me ever since.

As an intermediate accountant, I travelled to Wellington with one of the partners to meet a client. It was my first work trip, my first time staying in a hotel for business and my first experience sitting around the dinner table talking shop with a client.

That was the moment I realised what I really loved wasn't just accounting.

It was business.

I loved hearing people's stories, understanding what they were trying to achieve and helping them solve problems.

Looking back, that's still what motivates me today.

If you're thinking about applying for the Campbell Tyson Training Programme, my advice is simple.

Attitude is everything.

Stay curious. Look beyond the numbers and take every opportunity to understand the businesses behind them. That's where the real learning happens, and where the most rewarding careers begin.

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Lincoln | Director at Campbell Tyson
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Every career starts somewhere. Applications for our 2027 Training Programme are now open. We'd love to hear from you.
https://www.ct.co.nz/join-our-team/training-programme

15/07/2026

Like many people finishing school, I thought you needed a university degree before you could begin a career in accounting.

Instead, I was given the opportunity to join a small accounting firm in Waiuku. It was there I learnt the fundamentals of the profession while studying towards my accounting degree.

Five years later, joining Campbell Tyson felt like a big step, and if I'm honest, I wasn't sure I was good enough to work here.

Thankfully, the people around me saw potential that I couldn't yet see in myself.

They encouraged me to keep learning, gave me opportunities to challenge myself, and supported me to complete my degree and become a Chartered Accountant. Along the way, I learnt something important.

You don't have to be the same as everyone else to build a successful career.

Over time, I realised that one of my strengths is building relationships. Once I started leaning into that, alongside continuing to develop my technical skills, I found a career path that really suited me.

If I could offer one piece of advice to someone thinking about applying for our Training Programme, it would be:

Stay curious. Ask questions. Say yes to opportunities, even if you don't feel completely ready.

You don't need to know everything on day one. A willingness to learn will take you further than you think.

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Gina | Associate at Campbell Tyson

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Every career starts somewhere. Applications for our 2027 Training Programme are now open. We'd love to hear from you.

https://www.ct.co.nz/join-our-team/training-programme

12/07/2026

I only planned on finding my first job, I didn't realise I was starting my career.

After Year 12, I was ready to leave school and applied for a role at Campbell Tyson. (Thank you, Paul Muir!)

Looking back, I wish someone had encouraged me to continue my studies and complete a degree. That's one of the reasons I think our Training Programme is such a valuable opportunity today.

Being able to study while you work means you can build your career, continue learning and avoid the student debt that many young people face.

Recently I was talking with our new trainees about what work looked like in the “olden days” when computers were only just starting to change the profession.

So much has changed since then. Technology has transformed the way we work. But one thing hasn't.

Accounting has always been about people.

It's about understanding what's important to our clients, helping them make good decisions and building trusted relationships over time.

If you're thinking about applying for our Training Programme, my advice would be, take the opportunity. You never know where it might lead.
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Diane | Manager at Campbell Tyson
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Every career starts somewhere. Applications for our 2027 Training Programme are now open. We'd love to hear from you.

https://www.ct.co.nz/join-our-team/training-programme

08/07/2026

Nine years ago, I walked through the doors at Campbell Tyson as a trainee.

I had no idea that one day I'd be part of the leadership team.

Like most people starting their careers, I was focused on learning the technical side of the job. But looking back, one of the biggest lessons had nothing to do with accounting.

It was understanding “why” people go into business in the first place.

Every business owner has a goal they're working towards. Whether that's providing for their family, growing something they're proud of, or creating opportunities for others. Once you understand what they are trying to achieve, you can help them work out the "how", which is our purpose here at Campbell Tyson.

If I could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about applying for our Training Programme, it would be simple: Just do it.

The technical, professional and personal skills you'll gain in a short space of time will stay with you throughout your career.

And one more thing I'd tell anyone starting out?

Don't be afraid of making mistakes. Once you learn to embrace them and learn from them, this is when your career starts to grow.
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Divan | Manager at Campbell Tyson
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Every career starts somewhere. Applications for our 2027 Training Programme are now open. We'd love to hear from you.

https://www.ct.co.nz/join-our-team/training-programme

03/07/2026

Could your future start here?

📍Right in the heart of Pukekohe.

Applications for our 2027 Training Programme are now open.

Whether you're finishing high school, studying at university, or ready for a fresh career direction, our programme is designed to help you build a rewarding career with the support of an experienced team that's invested in your success.

You'll gain real-world experience, work alongside mentors, and grow your skills while making a difference for businesses across our local community.

If you're looking for more than just a job, and want to build a career where you can learn and grow, we'd love to hear from you.

Find out more and apply here: https://www.ct.co.nz/join-our-team/training-programme

02/07/2026

The CT Community Kitchen Recipe Book is a community fundraiser filled with favourite recipes from the Campbell Tyson team.

Every copy sold supports the Birthing Unit Renovation Project at Pukekohe Maternity Hospital, helping local mums and babies.

Available now from www.ct.co.nz/puke for click and collect.

30/06/2026

When was the last time you stopped to ask:

"Where are we losing time, money, or effort unnecessarily?"

When profitability comes under pressure, it's natural to focus on cutting costs or increasing sales.

But often, the biggest opportunities are hiding in the everyday inefficiencies that quietly become "the way things are done."

Things like:

• Rework or duplicated administration
• Unclear processes or responsibilities
• Underpriced products or services
• Communication breakdowns
• Owners spending time on tasks that could be delegated

On their own, they might not seem like much.

Over time, though, they can have a real impact on profitability, capacity, and even team morale.

Sometimes improving profit isn't about working harder.

It's about removing the friction that's holding your business back.

We'll be exploring this further in our Profit Improvement Workshop on 21 July.

If you'd like to know more, we'd be happy to have a chat.

Improve profitability by identifying what’s working, what’s leaking, and what needs to change. Your business might be busy. The team might be flat out. Revenue might be moving. But if profit isn’t where it should be, something needs closer attention. The Profit Improvement Workshop is designed

26/06/2026

Our reception team, Summer and Asha, are often the first people our clients speak to, whether they're calling with a question, dropping in for a meeting, or simply popping by to say hello.

Over the next month, while Asha enjoys some well-deserved leave, we'll be welcoming back a familiar face.

Many of our long-time clients will remember Shelley, who'll be helping out at reception throughout July. We're delighted to have her back with the team for a few weeks.

If you're visiting the office or giving us a call, be sure to say hi!

10/06/2026

Every family remembers where their story begins.

For many Franklin families, that story starts at Pukekohe Maternity Hospital.

We're proud to be supporting the Pukekohe Maternity Hospital Renovation Fund, helping raise $100,000 to upgrade the hospital's two birthing suites.

This project isn't just about renovating rooms. It's about creating a more comfortable, welcoming environment for local families during some of life's most important moments.

So far, together we've raised $30,828 towards our goal.

If you'd like to support the project, every contribution helps create a better experience for future generations of Franklin families.

To learn more or make a contribution, visit https://www.jammiesforjune.org.nz/pukekohe-birthing-unit

Together, we can help ensure quality maternity care remains close to home.