With our next round of Vacation Work students arriving this week, we’re reflecting on what sets Hall Chadwick apart for those taking their first steps into the profession.
Many of our team began their careers the very same way — arriving as Vacation Work students, gaining firsthand experience and ultimately returning to build long-term careers with Hall Chadwick. Hear from some of our former Vacation Work students, now valued members of our team, about their experience and what the next round of Vacation Workers have to look forward to.
Ludwig’s Experience
Analyst – Business Advisory
I completed the Vacation Program in November–December 2022. Since then, I’ve progressed through several roles at Hall Chadwick — first as a Vac student, then as an undergrad accountant, then a graduate analyst, and now an analyst in the Business Advisory team. In my current role, I’m essentially the point of contact for businesses when they need anything financial, which is work I’ve grown into through each stage of my time here.
One of the best parts of the Vacation Program was the people. Alex and I started the program together, and we’re still working alongside each other today. You meet new friends, you learn from supportive seniors and managers, and you get practical experience that helps you understand how the work actually happens.
I’ve now been part of HCWA for around three years, with some breaks in between while completing other finance experience during university, and the culture has always been a standout. It’s a friendly team, and the work is genuinely interesting — whether it’s travelling up north for projects, advising startups and seeing them grow, or supporting clients through decisions that make a real impact.
I recommend the Vacation Program because it’s very different from university. You learn directly from professionals, and you’re included in real client-facing tasks in a way that’s meaningful but well-supported. It gives you a clear understanding of the profession and what a career in advisory can look like.
In one sentence: "Hall Chadwick is a genuinely supportive place to work, where people are easy to get along with and you’re trusted with real responsibility as you develop."
Alex’s Experience
Associate - Corporate
I completed the Vacation Program in the summer of 2022. After the program, I returned during university as an undergrad, then moved into a graduate role, and I’m now an Associate working across the Corporate Finance and Consulting teams.
What stood out to me early on was the exposure. You sit in on client meetings, get involved in different engagements and see how the work happens across multiple disciplines. The variety helped me understand what the profession actually looks like and gave me a clearer idea of where I wanted to take my career.
I’ve been with Hall Chadwick for around three years now, and one thing that’s remained consistent is the culture. It’s a great social environment and you get diverse exposure to work across a range of industries. You’re surrounded by people who are approachable and happy to guide you, especially when you’re still learning.
Some of my standout memories include meetings at client offices and the firm’s Christmas party — experiences that helped me feel part of the team early on.
I’d recommend the Vacation Program because you get to be hands-on from day one. It’s practical, it’s real and it gives you a much better understanding of the work than you’ll ever get from textbooks.
In one sentence: "if you’re ambitious, you can do a lot here.”
Chia’s Experience
Graduate Accountant - Corporate
I completed the Vacation Program in 2024, and it gave me a solid understanding of the day-to-day work in the Corporate team. It helped me see what the role actually involves, which is very different from studying accounting at university.
After the program, I returned as an undergrad from March to July 2025, and then moved into my current role as a Graduate Accountant in the Corporate team. I’ve been with HCWA for around a year now, and I’ve always found the environment supportive and friendly. You’re encouraged to learn, ask questions and explore the areas of work you’re interested in.
During the Vac Program, I enjoyed joining team lunches and the Christmas event, which made it easy to settle in. Since returning full-time, I’ve had opportunities to take on more challenging work, including completing financial report analysis to advise a client on improving profit, and preparing most of a performance rights valuation on my own. Those experiences helped build my confidence and skills.
I recommend the Vacation Program to accounting students who want a clearer idea of what the work is really like. It’s practical, and it helps bridge the gap between university and professional experience.
In one sentence: "Hall Chadwick is a fantastic place to kick-start your accounting journey, with great support and strong learning opportunities.”
These stories highlight what the Hall Chadwick Vacation Program offers: practical exposure, a supportive team and the opportunity to build real capability early in a career.
As we welcome our next group of Vacation Work students, we look forward to seeing them develop their skills, gain clarity about the profession and begin shaping their own pathway.
Keep an eye on our socials as we welcome our newest Vacation Work students and share updates from their journey at Hall Chadwick WA.
Click the below icons to follow →
