Business student Levalasi Catherine Tominiko (Lotofaga, Safotu) has become the first recipient of a new grant aimed to encourage more Pasifika people into the field of accountancy.

It was while taking a break from the workforce to raise her two children, that the 37-year-old decided to study towards becoming fully qualified after previously working as an administrator in an accounting office.

“It’s a good career, especially if you’re a mum. It’s natural. If you’re a mum you are basically running your own business (a family). You’re budgeting. It’s a good profession. It’s needed. All businesses need a good accountant to make them sustainable,” the Bachelor of Applied Management majoring in Accounting student says.

CPA stands for Certified Practising Accountant. The qualification is a mark of high professional competence, indicating a soundness in depth, breadth and quality of accountancy knowledge. CPAs are highly respected in the wider profession and by employers.

The scholarship worth $8,500 will support Catherine to sit the six papers to become a CPA and the first year of her membership of CPA Australia. The grant is part of the organisation’s Pacific Peoples Strategy aiming to support more Pasifika, who are currently underrepresented in accountancy, into the profession.

“Catherine was a stand out candidate,” says Rick Jones, CPA Australia, Country Head – New Zealand. “We look at academic background as well as community service. The way she juggles family, work and community participation is inspirational.”

Ms Tominiko is a team manager at Papatoetoe Rugby Football Club.

“I tell my kids, you don’t have to be the smartest person in class. But you can be the hardest working and the one who helps the person next to you,” she told the gathering at MIT Manukau where the scholarship was presented. “That’s what I try to do.”

MIT recently formally joined Te Pūkenga, a national network providing vocational training to 240,000 students. Achieving equity for learner groups including Pasifika is its number one priority.

“We are proud to share in Catherine’s success in attaining this scholarship.  This award will inspire others to pursue their dreams in accountancy and other financial jobs and careers,” say Deputy Chief Executive – Pasifika, Partnerships and Support, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

CPA Australia has more than 170,000 members in over 100 countries around the world.