At the College of Law, we’re excited to celebrate our 20th anniversary by recognising our impressive alumni and their diverse career paths.
Today, we sit down with Matthew Thompson, a College of Law alumnus, chartered accountant and CFO at Manukora.
Matthew has journeyed from a dual degree in law and commerce to senior roles at KPMG, Vodafone and dynamic start-up, My Food Bag.
His experience shows that keeping your options open can lead to unexpected and rewarding opportunities.
Q: Hi Matthew! Your career has spanned many fields, from law and taxation to commercial finance. How did it all begin?
Like many high school students, I didn’t have any firm convictions about what my career would be. I always thought I might end up becoming a lawyer one day, but couldn’t really imagine myself in a big firm.
So, I wanted to keep my options open by pursuing a law degree alongside a commerce/ accounting degree (due to my natural skill for numbers) at Auckland University.
It was a journey of self-discovery. And as I progressed, I gained more and more clarity about the type of career that keeps me energised and driven.
Q: You’ve worked at major international companies like KPMG and Vodafone, to smaller start-ups. How did these experiences shape your career and passions?
It’s been quite an interesting and unexpected process, if I’m honest. It took working in a few different roles for me to figure out what path I wanted to take.
After starting at KPMG in auditing and tax, I took six months off to travel. When I returned, I joined Vodafone in commercial finance, eventually becoming a commercial manager.
By then, I wanted to try working in a smaller company, so I moved across to My Food Bag, where I quickly found myself presenting to the board and enjoying the direct impact of my work. During my time there, I discovered a passion for eCommerce and growth marketing. This led me to my current role as CFO at Manukora, an ethically produced, raw manuka honey start-up.
These various roles, plus my degrees in law and commerce, all came in handy.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve received?
My boss in my very first job at KPMG shared some advice that I’ve carried with me ever since.
At the time, I was questioning my study and career options. And he told me that it’s a good idea to make decisions that open doors rather than close them.
This advice led me to completing my Chartered Accountants Programme, Profs and becoming admitted as a lawyer – which, in turn opened more doors and career opportunities.
My experience there was a turning point and taught me the importance of being open-minded.
Q: On that, how was your experience with Profs at the College of Law?
Profs was a big shift from the more theoretical approach of law school. It gave us a safe space to practise what we learned.
One of the best parts was having the chance to build connections with my peers. Those early connections have been beneficial throughout my career.
Q: How has mentorship or networking shaped your career?
I was never someone who networked aggressively. Some people thrive on that, but it wasn’t really my thing.
Early on, I leaned on my family, especially my brother who’s a lawyer. And I’ve always had good relationships with managers over the years.
As I’ve progressed in my career though, I find myself leaning on my network more, especially when trying to solve problems for my current business. Tapping into other networks where people have faced similar challenges and collaborating with them has been incredibly helpful.
Q: What advice would you give to graduates still figuring out what to do?
Echoing my former KPMG manager’s wisdom: consider decisions that open doors rather than close them, especially early in your career when you’re still figuring out what truly interests you.
Keeping your options open can lead to unexpected and rewarding opportunities.
Another important thing is to reflect on what drives and energises you. Early on, it’s crucial to understand what aspects of the work you enjoy the most. When you find that out, decisions will become much clearer and easier.
So, stay curious, explore different paths and pay attention to what ignites you!
Q: Where’s next for you?
I’m really enjoying my current role at Manukora. The business is growing rapidly and presenting exciting new opportunities.
It’s not only professionally stimulating, but it has also contributed to my personal growth. I’ve gained a lot of clarity about what inspires me.
Moving forward, my focus is on helping Manukora continue its growth trajectory and making a meaningful impact.
Interested in completing a Profs course with the College like Matthew? Learn more today..