A career that began in La Trobe University's mail room has culminated in recognition as the 100,000th Australian based member of the CPA (Certified Practicing Accountants) for Bendigo resident, Nigel Barrow.

Mr Barrow's career path has been an interesting one. ‘I started working in the mail room at La Trobe University's Bendigo campus in 2001, filling in for someone on leave,' said Mr Barrow.

‘After that, I was offered a number of short term employment contracts in the University's finance department, which gave me the opportunity to learn and act in a number of different finance roles. This helped me develop a broader understanding of how the organisation works.'

Mr Barrow joined the administrative team for the newly formed Faculty of Education in 2005 and that role evolved into his current role as the Finance and Resources Officer for the Faculty.

What started as mainly a technical role has progressed to involve much more in the way of budgeting, planning and strategic analysis.

In 2006 Mr Barrow's supervisor encouraged him to develop himself on a professional level. He studied a Bachelor of Commerce at La Trobe University and went on to do CPA Australia's Professional Level Program. This program must be completed in order for candidates to earn the right to become a full member of CPA Australia.

Mr Barrow says he would love to keep working at La Trobe. ‘Such a large organisation offers a constant range of new challenges and potential opportunities. It's great working for an employer that is so supportive of learning.'