How ICMS Mentorship Helped Accounting Student Find His Feet in Sydney

Bachelor of Business (Accounting) student Ethan Mupariwa moved from New Zealand to Australia chasing bigger opportunities and personal growth. 

What he found at ICMS was more than a qualification.

He found a community of staff and lecturers who supported and encouraged him throughout his studies. 

Ethan’s story shows what professional mentorship can look like in practice.

Through small class sizes, engaged lecturers and staff support, his experience at ICMS has helped him build confidence and develop skills as he works towards his career goals. 

Leaving home to challenge himself

Ethan made the decision to leave New Zealand well before he arrived at ICMS.

He wanted greater opportunities, personal growth and the chance to test himself in a completely new environment. Leaving family, friends and everything familiar was not easy, but he believed it was necessary to become the professional he wanted to be. 

When he researched where to study, ICMS stood out to him for its practical approach to learning and its connection between academics and industry. He was also drawn to an environment that supports personal development alongside classroom learning. 

From the moment he arrived, he felt he had made the right call. He describes ICMS not simply as a place to earn a qualification, but as a community where he has received support and encouragement throughout his studies. 

Staff support that leaves a lasting impact

Ethan faced challenges settling into a new environment.

Arriving without an established network, there were moments when the distance from family felt significant.  

Those challenges, he says, became some of his greatest sources of growth, teaching him independence, adaptability and the value of strong relationships. 

The people around him played an important role.  

Ethan has formed friendships with students from France to Panama, and even people who share a mutual connection with him back in New Zealand.

Just as important was the encouragement he received from ICMS staff. 

“The support and encouragement I have received from staff have made a lasting impact. Their genuine commitment to students is one of the things I value most about ICMS,” he said. 

Lecturers who teach the “why”, not just the rules

For Ethan, the mentorship shows up clearly in the classroom.

He points to Financial and Commercial Literacy and Business Statistics as two of his favourite subjects, thanks in large part to how his lecturers deliver them. 

Financial literacy gave him the accounting knowledge needed across corporate careers. It made him more confident interpreting a profit and loss statement and more fluent with tools like Xero.  

Statistics, a subject he has always enjoyed, became even more engaging because of the way ICMS lecturers teach it. 

He credits the accounting course with growing his knowledge significantly, giving him practice with online tools and government standards. The teaching approach stands out most. 

“Within the course the ICMS lecturers don’t just tell you the rules of accounting, they show you how those rules play out in real business situations, and why they matter,” he said. 

For Ethan, that mix of academic guidance and real-world context has been an important part of his experience at ICMS.  

Small class sizes have also given him opportunities to engage closely with his lecturers. 

His advice to future students

For students weighing up ICMS, Ethan is honest about what it takes.  

Success is not handed to you, he says, but the platform is there for those willing to work for it. 

“This place is what you make it, nothing will be served to you on a platter, but you will have such a good platform to take off and become who you want to be,” he said. 

His key message is to embrace change and back yourself. 

“If you have the intent of growing, you must embrace change and step out of your comfort zone, improvement will occur when you try things differently,” he said. 

As Ethan continues his studies, he encourages future students to trust their decisions and aim high.  

With mentors, lecturers and a supportive community behind him, he has found a strong foundation to build the career he came to Australia to pursue. 

• The Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree is accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and CPA Australia, and is recognised by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Subject to completion of the required subjects, graduates meet the academic entry requirements for the CA ANZ and CPA Australia professional programs and may be eligible to apply for associate-level membership. Progression to full qualification is subject to each organisation’s requirements, including further study and relevant work experience. Recognition by ACCA means graduates may be eligible for exemptions from selected ACCA examinations, depending on the subjects completed, and may satisfy the academic requirements to commence the ACCA professional qualification 

 Disclaimer: The views and experiences expressed in this article are those of the student and reflect their individual experience at ICMS. Results and experiences may vary. Separate professional accreditation, membership and registration requirements apply for careers in accounting and are governed by relevant professional bodies and regulators, including CA ANZ, CPA Australia and ACCA. These requirements, including professional program enrolment, examinations and practical experience, are not provided by ICMS and must be completed independently following graduation. Separate professional accreditation, membership and registration requirements apply for careers in accounting and are governed by relevant professional bodies and regulators, including CA ANZ, CPA Australia and ACCA. These requirements, including professional program enrolment, examinations and practical experience, are not provided by ICMS and must be completed independently following graduation.