Accounting comes naturally to George. 'It was my best subject at school,' he says, 'and I enjoyed it. Also my great-grandfather, grandfather and father have been accountants going back more than a hundred years, so it's in the blood!'

Even so, studying accounting at university was not a decision he rushed into. 'I had a year off to think about it, which was why I did my GAP year, when I did coaching and worked as a tutor at an English prep school.'

UC's reputation for the high quality of its commerce teaching was the main reason George chose to study here. 'The papers are challenging but the knowledgeable lecturers make them interesting, and they are also happy to help if you have any problems.'

George's career goal is 'to be successful in my field, become a chartered accountant and eventually get into a leadership role at a top recognised accounting firm'.

He has started down that path by doing a summer internship in the Audit Division at KPMG, one of the top international accounting firms. 'We perform audits to ascertain the validity and reliability of information, and also to provide an assessment of an organisation's internal control systems.'

'I've been working on the audit for the Christchurch Buskers' Festival. It's been great to use the skills that I've learned at UC in a practical context. I like the fact that with auditing you're out working with clients for a lot of the time, and not stuck in the office.'

George's advice to those considering Accounting as a major subject is to 'give it a go. It's not as boring as you think!'

When he's not studying or working, George likes to watch sport, go to the gym, play touch rugby or hockey and get involved in university social life. 'The social life at UC is top notch,' he says, 'there are a lot of social clubs that put on great events.'

There are other opportunities to seize while at UC too. 'In August this year, as part of UC's international exchange programme, I'm heading off to Purdue University in Indiana, USA, which has over 40,000 students and a top college football team. It will be a great way to complete my degree in Finance and finish off my university life.'