Careers & Conversations

Bryce Martin is a Ballarat‑based Senior Manager in Audit & Assurance who values community, connection and doing things well. 

Whether he’s collaborating with his team at RSM, enjoying regional life with his family, or training for his first marathon, Bryce brings a thoughtful, grounded approach to both work and life.

 Personal life 

What is your favourite thing about living in Ballarat?

What I most enjoy about Ballarat is the space it gives you, not just physically, but mentally. 

Life moves at a slightly slower, more grounded pace, yet we don’t miss out on the things you’d expect from a bigger city. We have fantastic open spaces, great schools and a strong sense of community. Being just an hour from Melbourne and an hour from the surf coast means we get the best everything, regional living with easy access to everything else we enjoy

Outside of work what are you passionate about?

Running has become a real passion of mine, it was something that I started during the COVID lockdowns. I’ve also always enjoyed sports, whether it’s football, cricket or tennis, and staying active. I also recently built a home in Ballarat, so a lot of my time is spent enjoying being at home with my family and making the most of our new space, both inside and out in the yard.

How did this lead you into a role as the Secretary and later on, President of Williams Landing Tennis Club?

When I was living in Melbourne, a notice went out from the local council looking for people interested in forming a new tennis club in our estate. I decided to get involved because it felt like a great opportunity to help build something from the ground up and contribute to a growing community. It also appealed to me as a way to stretch myself by learning about governance, risk, stakeholder engagement and managing finances. 

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?

While most people know I enjoy running, what usually surprises them is that I’ve changed tactics this year. After years of running just to stay fit, my mindset has shifted and I’m now training for my first full marathon later this year. It’s a big personal challenge, but one I’m really excited about.
 

 Life at RSM 

What’s something about working at RSM that has genuinely shaped how you work or lead. Perhaps something you didn’t expect before joining?

What surprised me most about RSM is how strongly the culture reflects a mix of trust, collaboration and authenticity. People genuinely share knowledge and want each other to succeed, which creates an environment where you can ask questions, explore new ideas and learn quickly. There’s no expectation to fit a particular mold. People bring their own style and strengths, and it’s embraced.

I try to create the same environment for my team: one where they feel supported, where collaboration comes naturally, and where they have the confidence to be themselves. When people feel trusted, connected and authentic, that’s when they do their best work. 

Looking back so far, what’s a moment or accomplishment that still makes you proud when you think about it, and what made it stick with you?

About 12 months ago, our Ballarat team won a large regional client with an American parent entity. We were brought in very late in their financial year, and it quickly became one of those assignments where everything was moving fast. With tight deadlines, a complex structure, and a client who needed a lot of guidance along the way.

What makes me proud is not just that we delivered everything by the statutory deadline, but how we did it. Three different service lines at RSM came together to manage the work, problem solve technical issues, and support both each other and the client.

It stuck with me because it was a real example of what collaboration can achieve, and it showed the strength and capability of our regional team.

What’s one ritual or team habit during busy periods that you’d recommend everyone steal, and why does it work?

Our team has grown to more than 16 people, which means it’s not always easy for everyone to be in the same place at the same time. We meet virtually each week, but one habit we’ve held onto is organising periodic in-person team lunches.

It’s simple but it works. It gives everyone a chance to connect in a more relaxed and social environment. Giving them time to step away from the intensity of busy periods and build relationships that make the day-to-day work smoother. Those face-to-face moments create a sense of team cohesion you can’t always get through a screen.
 

 Professional Life 

What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?

Making mistakes is not only okay and it’s an essential part of learning. 

None of us are perfect, and no one expects us to be. What matters is being open to feedback, learning from the experience, and moving forward better than before.

What lead your down the Audit & Assurance career path?

I’ve been a career auditor, but I didn’t set out with a plan to be one. 

I more or less fell into audit. On my first day as a graduate, my colleague was allocated to tax and I was allocated to audit. When I reflect, it turned out to be a great fit for me. I enjoy the structure, the problem solving, the exposure to different businesses, and the opportunity to keep learning.

You previously worked at the Victorian Auditor General’s Office (VAGO) in Melbourne; What’s the biggest mindset shift you noticed moving into private sector audit?

I was fortunate to have worked in public practice before joining VAGO, so returning to private sector audit wasn’t completely unfamiliar, but there were still some noticeable mindset shifts.

In government auditing, you gain a deep understanding of how government operates structurally, mechanically and culturally. You often see common themes and systemic issues across multiple departments and agencies, which gives you a broad perspective on public sector accountability and performance.

Private sector auditing, on the other hand, tends to be more focused on the unique challenges and commercial realities facing each individual client. The work is more varied, with a larger portfolio of clients and a wider spread of year ends, which naturally brings a faster rhythm and more diversity in the issues you encounter.

Both environments are valuable in different ways, but the biggest shift was moving from a system wide, government lens to a more client specific, commercially driven way of thinking.