G'day legends. Wanted to get some perspective from people actually working in the industry because I'm at that crossroads where every decision feels like it matters more than it probably does.
Quick recap. NZ citizen in Perth on a subclass 444. Completed a Bachelor of Business (Finance major) in 2025 from a triple-accredited uni. Realised late that accounting/bookkeeping suits me more than finance (Never struggled with Finance, I just prefer Accounting).
Since graduating, I’ve been stacking on credentials and my portfolio:
- Xero (Certified + Payroll + Migration)
- MYOB certified
- Intuit bookkeeping professional cert (halfway through)
- Virtual internships (PwC, Deloitte, CA ANZ via Forage)
- Excel accounting workbooks (Weekly completion of five-step or six-step cycles)
- Just recently obtained Provisional membership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, studying Foundations (Tax + Business Law)
- YouTube for learning SQL + Python for dashboards and visualizations
Despite this, 2 months of applying (hundreds of roles) = 3 interviews, 2 in-person assessments (next month) and 0 offers. Likely losing to candidates with months or even years of experience, knowing how much layoffs are currently taking place.
Can’t afford another degree, though. A Cert IV feels redundant given Level 7 qualification. So I'm considering Diploma/Advanced Diploma at TAFE to better signal accounting specialisation, in-person networking opportunities, and ultimately since it's a faster, cheaper pathway compared to another 3 - 4 years in Uni.
Main question: Is a TAFE Diploma worth it after a business degree, or do employers still prioritise experience over qualifications? If so, how do you obtain experience when you don't have any?
It'd seem like my only real alternatives aside from TAFE would be to pay to attend a six-month (unpaid) accounting/bookkeeping internship, essentially paying a $2K price tag for the opportunity to work and get a professional referral from said organization.
Any advice would be genuinely appreciated. Cheers!