Ayla Pene has found her calling in accountancy

Eddie Aickin from PKF Francis Aickin offers flowers and congratulations to Ayla Pene. Photo/Peter Jackson

The future did not always look especially bright for Ayla Pene.

As a teenager she was a Kaitaia Abundant Life School drop-out, albeit with NCEA Level 2, the solo mother of twins, who was making her living as a shop assistant.

At that point she decided she needed to do something to improve her lot, to enable her to provide for her children.

So, having always been good with numbers, she set about qualifying as an accountant.

She now has her Bachelor of Accountancy degree, and is well on her way to qualifying as a chartered accountant, thanks in no small measure to the fact that Kaitaia firm PKF Francis Aickin gave her the chance she needed.

And she has rewarded those who had faith in her many times over, most recently by gaining the best result in the country in her taxation module.

Eddie Aickin, one of three principals at Francis Aickin, said it was a very significant achievement.

"Ayla's result was the best in the country, against a lot of competition," he said.

"She has beaten some very bright people, many of whom are specialising in taxation, which she is not."

He also had great admiration for the fact that she had achieved so much, with such distinction, while working and raising her children.

For her part, Ms Pene, daughter of Marsh and Tonya Pene, was grateful to Francis Aickin for giving her the opportunity needed, and for allowing her the flexibility she needed to balance her studies, employment and her other commitments.

"They are the best bosses I could have asked for," she said.