Carrisa Mendham, 26, started off her career in accountancy at Brisbane-based Vincents chartered accountants and has remained there since, working her way through the rankings. Carissa is a forensic accountant and has been an associate at the firm since July 2017 after joining in July 2012.

Vincents’ Forensic Accounting specialists offer accounting and professional support across a range of legal disputes and financial investigations working with a range of clients including lawyers, barristers, arbitrators, mediators, accountants, tribunals, law enforcement agencies, government departments, businesses, corporations, not-for-profit organisations, clubs, associations and individuals.

Carrisa prepares reports to be used as evidence in court, focusing on business evaluation reports and loss assessments

What made you go into forensic accounting?

While finishing my business degree at university I took on three different internships. One was at a top tier firm in its audit division, another was at mid-tier firm Vincents in the forensic division and the last was at a smaller firm in tax. I was lucky enough to get offered a graduate role in all three firms and decided to join Vincents, where I am now.

Do you have any regrets?

I regret not having the basic accounting or tax experience especially as everyone expects me to be able to do their tax returns for them! It pays to have that experience and not having it was a big hurdle to jump over for me so I have had to make up for it through training sessions and lots of reading.

What is your dream role?

I haven’t quite figured it out yet. I got my promotion to associate in June last year so I suppose the next step from there is to become senior associate, but as far as I am concerned that is a few years away. This is my main focus for now but I would love the opportunity to travel more.

What is your favourite part of the job?

The kind of forensic services we offer requires me to have an understanding of the background of the businesses I am dealing with. Therefore, I get to go out and meet the client and go through their general day-to-day operations. Getting out of the office is always a perk and I can relate to the case I am working on better.

Also it means that I am not sitting behind a computer screen looking at numbers all day.

… and your least favourite part?

I haven’t yet got around to signing my own reports. As soon as I sign the reports I put yourself forward to be cross examined in court and that terrifies me. I am sure it gets easier with practice but I haven’t had to do it yet so that’s a fear I am going to have to overcome eventually.

What is the most important skill to have?

Your accuracy has to be perfect. We work with numbers all day, every day so are considered as experts by pretty much every other profession. Getting it wrong, especially in the reports that we do which have to go to court, is the worst possible outcome for your own reputation and more importantly the client. In most instances our client is the lawyer so our referral is reliant on jobs going well.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I am at the point where I probably have to start signing some reports and then the next step will be senior associate. 

Are you under 30 years old and in the audit, accountancy or tax industry? Want to be grilled on your role? Get in touch here.

by Amy Austin