Careers & Conversations

Meet Sharon Baldwin - Senior Manager, Business Advisory

Sharon has over 20 years of experience in accounting, taxation, and business advisory.

An accomplished leader with a long-standing industry reputation, Sharon is committed to achieving clients’ goals and supporting their business growth. Get to know Sharon even better in our latest Careers and Conversations feature.

WHAT DID YOU DO PREVIOUSLY? WHAT LED YOU DOWN THIS PARTICULAR CAREER PATH?

I have been at RSM in Business Advisory for 3 and a half years, but have been in accounting for 20 years. I started my career in a regional firm in Toowoomba where I started as an undergraduate and progressed through to Partner.

What led me to this career was a love of numbers and problem-solving. I feel we use the financials and models we create merely to present a picture to our clients so we can have discussions and help them make informed decisions.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

I enjoy living and working in Toowoomba. It is such a great place to raise a family and is experiencing great economic growth and with that comes great opportunities.

The Toowoomba RSM office overlooks beautiful Laurel Bank Park which is lovely to get out of the office and enjoy lunch in the park. It is also close to everything so I never have to miss something one of my boys has on at school.

TELL US SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU... YET.

The only thing I didn’t want to be after leaving high school was an accountant. My extroverted personality didn’t suit what I thought was the stereotypical accountant. I had looked into the qualifications of the top CEOs and many had a commerce degree so I thought this would be a good stepping stone for me. Once I got into public practice and began advising clients I found I loved what I did, so I am still here.

Accounting is such a diverse and rewarding career and that is why I am now speaking to schools to try and squash this stereotype and highlight what it really is like to be an accountant and adviser.

WHAT’S ONE THING THAT SURPRISED YOU ABOUT WORKING AT RSM?

I have been surprised by the willingness to share ideas and collaborate. Whenever I have picked up the phone to reach out to another office around Australia I have always been given a lot of support and guidance. RSM has a lot of technical experts and I am enjoying the depth of resources on offer.

WHAT ARE THE MOST SATISFYING ASPECTS OF YOUR JOB?

I enjoy working with people. Helping clients and our team to achieve their best.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CULTURE IN YOUR OFFICE/DIVISION?

Our Toowoomba office only has 12 team members at present, but growing! It does mean that we work closely together and fully engage each day. It is a very positive and friendly culture with everyone working towards a common goal.