Bush & Campbell groundbreaking Director retires From the first female trainee at local accounting firm Bush & Campbell, to 18 years as a Director, Amanda Powell has had a trailblazing career in the finance industry. After a 43 year career, last week Chartered Accountant Amanda Powell called it a day on her time in the accounting profession. Having grown up in Wagga Wagga, Amanda began as a cadet with Bush & Campbell in 1981. It was a time marked by plenty of chequebooks, bank statements and manual accounting processes. These were the days before computer accounting packages like Xero, MYOB and Phoenix; before Capital Gains Tax, Fringe Benefits Tax and the GST had been introduced. Like the other accountants in town at the time, when Amanda commenced in the profession she would work all week and study part-time, attending lectures and tutorials at night. “When I first started, I wasn’t aware of too many other female accounting trainees in Wagga. There were a couple of women accountants, like Jean Haste. A girl being a trainee accountant wasn’t the done thing back then, but when the roof didn’t fall in, I suppose the industry knew it could work and they became more relaxed about putting ‘girls’ on. I believe it was with the support of Bush & Campbell that we were able to change the profession for the better.” Amanda took to the industry with ease and was able to fast-track her degree by picking up extra subjects and became a Chartered Accountant before the age of 24. She became a director in 2006 and is proud of what the firm has been able to achieve in the years since, including bringing in new clients from across the country and the many professional contributions staff have made locally to sporting groups, clubs and charities. When asked about her legacy, Amanda hopes she is remembered as someone who helped break the glass ceiling in accounting but, more importantly, always put her clients first. “Now that I’m retiring, I think back on some of the things I’ve done to help people and I’m proud of them. I hope that my clients remember me as someone who was on their side and that I tried my darndest to help them.”
Dan Winson
1mo
Congrats Amanda on an amazing career. Along with the great outcomes you’ve achieved for clients and the firm you have mentored a huge number of young people and set them on the right path for success whether it was in accounting or another field entirely. You were the best boss a know-it-all 18 year old could have asked for!
David McLachlan
1mo
Congratulations on your retirement AP, was a pleasure working with you for 13 of those 43 years
All the best Amanda! Thanks for being a part of my introduction to the profession, especially as a female leader.
Heather Townsend
1mo
Have a great retirement AP, you've earned it.
Congratulations Amanda. I still remember first meeting you back in the Year 2000 for my interview and starting my professional career. I learned so much from that time and am grateful to be part of the B&C alumni. Enjoy your much deserved retirement!
Michael Meyer
2mo
All the best Amanda
Georgiena Ryan
1mo
Congratulations Amanda I hope the next journey in life is equally rewarding
Michael Kennedy
2mo
Happy retirement Amanda
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1moCongratulations & all the best for your next venture Amanda!! You will be missed! Lots of love Karen x