Careers & Conversations

Meet Jess Parker - Assistant Manager, Fremantle

 Professional life 

As a Defence spouse, you've moved around Australia several times throughout your husband's career. Can you share a bit about that journey and some of the places you've called home?

We have lived in a few different places – Sydney, Townsville, Wodonga, Fremantle and Wagga. I feel lucky to have been to so many places. Whenever we move, we always see something new and amazing and I definitely wouldn’t have been to visit all these places if it wasn’t for Simon’s postings.

Your lived experience gives you a unique understanding of the Defence community. How does that perspective help you connect with and support clients in our Defence sector? 

Defence life is a very specific way of living. You have to be flexible, resilient, and adaptable. Defence industry requires all these skills; it is a rapidly changing environment and people that work in this space require this flexibility and resilience as well. Moving around often brings a practical understanding of how different businesses operate, how local conditions affect decision making and how important it is to provide advice that fits a clients circumstances.

RSM’s Defence Sector brings together specialists from across the firm to support businesses in the Defence supply chain and RSM being a national name means boarders are not a barrier for us. I was recently at a Defence event in Wagga and ran into a client who had been assisted by our grants team in Perth! I love seeing the teams work in action like this!

You've experienced life and work in many different communities across Australia. Is there one memorable experience or lesson from the road that has stayed with you and shaped who you are today? 

Some of the most amazing places are right on our doorstep and some people never get to see them! The place that has probably provided the most awe for me was on the drive from Wodonga to Fremantle. We pulled over at a rest stop thinking it was just a place to stop for a moment, and as we drove to the end of the road there was the Great Australian Bight! No photo does justice to the size of it! You have to see it yourself!

When you reflect on your journey so far, what are you most proud of, and what continues to motivate you in your career today?

I am all about connection and I feel really honoured to have had the opportunity to meet and connect with so many different people in so many different places. What motivates me in my career is that I can see the possibility for growth in my role. I feel like I am always learning and growing and I love working in a position that I feel will never become stagnant. 
 

 Life at RSM 

Tell us a little about yourself and your role at RSM. What does a typical day look like for you in Business Advisory?

A day in BA can always be different from the last! From tax compliance for individuals, partnerships, trusts, and businesses, to meeting with clients, virtually, in person, or over the phone. No two clients are the same and neither is their work. I really enjoy talking to my clients and getting to know them. And each tax year I prepare their work I get to know them a bit better. We are always quite busy so managing time and priorities is always important!

Building a career while navigating frequent relocations can be challenging. How have you managed to continue growing your career with RSM through those moves?

I feel so lucky and grateful to have a position I can do from anywhere, and that the Fremantle Office are such a great bunch of people that make the work, staying connected, and the time difference manageable! I am also lucky now to be working from Wagga where there is another RSM office.

The Wagga team have allowed me to work from their office and embraced me as one of their own, so I get some much-needed socialising in! Wagga office are another great bunch of people who have taken me in and let me participate in all their fun work events, and work from their office so have people to talk to and be around day to day. I think maintaining connection at work is so important, especially if you’re working remotely or flexibly from a different location.

 Personal Life 

Outside of work, what are your passions/hobbies?

I love spending time with my family, reading, going to the gym and bouldering! I miss the bouldering venues in WA, and there is no indoor bouldering here in Wagga, so maybe I have to just start bouldering outdoors here!

What’s something most people don’t know about you, a skill, a habit, or a surprising interest, that always gets a reaction when people find out?

I can say the alphabet backwards!