Fordham

6:30am – My day begins at 6:30am when my alarm sounds—though I’ll admit I often silence it and rely on my second alarm at 7:00am. After a few minutes scrolling on my phone, I play some music to help ease into the morning.

7:10am – By 7:10am, I’m forcing myself out of bed to start my routine. I get dressed, grab the lunch I prepared the night before, and head out the door. The drive to the train station is my first real wake-up moment, with the heater blasting and music playing.

7:30am - At 7:30am, I board the train into the city. This time used to be reserved for music or audiobooks, but since starting my CA studies, I now use it productively to review weekly content and complete practice questions—often with Hans Zimmer soundtracks in the background to keep me focused.

8:00am – I arrive at Southern Cross Station around 8:00am and make my way through the busy morning crowds into the office.

8:15am – By 8:15am, I’m at my desk reviewing emails, organising my day using our team planner, and continuing any outstanding work—whether that’s filing documents or sending work off for review.

8:30am – Around 8:30am, one of my colleagues—who started as my assigned buddy and is now a close friend—arrives. We usually grab coffee or prepare breakfast in the office kitchen while catching up on what’s been happening outside of work.

8:45am – By 8:45am, the rest of the team begins to arrive, and we take time to connect, sharing stories about our weekends or recent leave.

9:00am – Each Monday, we attend a team meeting with our leaders to provide updates on our workload. This helps ensure tasks are distributed effectively and that everyone is supported.

9:30am – From 9:30am onwards, I focus on my work. My responsibilities vary, from drafting client emails and preparing tax returns and financial statements to researching client queries

1:00pm – I aim to take a break and go for a walk with colleagues. When the weather is favourable, we walk along the Yarra River or around the city and often enjoy lunch outdoors in one of the nearby green spaces. And sometimes we see what events the Rialto tower provides the building on the bottom floor.

2:00pm – it’s back to work—either finalising tasks from the morning or starting new ones depending on deadlines. This time can also include training sessions, whether self-organised with colleagues or structured graduate training, which are incredibly valuable for building skills and connecting with peers.

3:30pm – I take a quick snack break. While the office provides biscuits and shapes, I keep my own stash just in case—it’s definitely a lifesaver on busy days

5:15pm – ending work can vary depending on the time of year but I will usually start to wind down at 5:15pm I begin to wind down if there are no urgent tasks. I update my to-do list, pack up, and head back toward the train station—sometimes taking a moment to appreciate (and capture) a nice sunset view from the office

6:30pm – I’m at my training facility, where I change and begin my session. I’m grateful for the flexibility my workplace provides, allowing me to balance work with my personal interests.

8pm – Once training concludes, I head home, cook dinner for my family, shower, and go through my skincare routine. Evenings are for unwinding—whether that’s watching a show, a movie, or playing board games (currently, we’re loving Catan).

9:30pm – I start preparing for the next day by setting out clothes and packing lunch—usually leftovers from dinner, for the next day.