Accounting is adding up to a rewarding career choice for USC graduate Kirstyn O’Brien from Bundaberg, who has followed her mother into the world of finance.

Miss O’Brien, who graduated from USC last month with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), is the daughter of well-known Bundaberg accountant Denise O’Brien, Partner at Reynolds O’Brien Accountants.

The former St Luke's Anglican School student worked as an intern at her mother’s firm while studying mostly online at another university, before transferring to USC and moving to the Sunshine Coast in her second year.

“I decided to finish my degree at USC as I believe you need the face-to-face engagement with the teaching staff not only to help with learning, but also to develop interpersonal skills that are so essential in the world of business,” Miss O’Brien, 20, said.

“I worked in accounting firms throughout my degree at the Sunshine Coast so I could link my studies to the real-life work I was undertaking.

“USC was fantastic and provided me with many opportunities to develop my skills, knowledge and experience, which helped me to secure a full-time job before I finished my degree.”

Miss O’Brien said her decision to become an accountant was influenced by her mother and by the many different career paths open to accounting professionals.

Applications are now open for mid-year entry to study at USC, starting Semester 2 on 24 July. Details on how to apply for more than 90 undergraduate and postgraduate programs can be found at www.usc.edu.au/midyear.

— Clare McKay