Danielah Ningakun

I chose to study accounting because I have always been interested in working with numbers and understanding the story behind them. There is something very satisfying about reconciling accounts, solving variances and seeing how everything balances and carries forward. That curiosity led me to study accounting with CQUniversity in Rockhampton, where the campus environment and supportive learning community made it a great place to focus on my studies. 

After graduating, my career journey took a few different paths before settling fully into the accounting field. I spent some time working in casual roles before moving into a sales representative position, where I had the opportunity to apply marketing concepts I learned at university in a practical setting. I later stepped into a Branch Manager role, leading teams and managing operations for several years. 

Eventually, I returned to accounting, first as an Assistant Accountant managing payments and credit accounts, before progressing into project accounting roles. Today I work as a Project Accountant, supporting major infrastructure developments and managing project finances. A highlight of my work has been being part of a team delivering new DFAT-funded 200-room female student accommodation, watching the project grow from drawings on paper into a real building that will support future students.

From there, I progressed into leadership as a Branch Manager for six years. I later returned to finance in an assistant accountant role, managing payments across cash and credit and overseeing around 50 credit accounts each month. That experience strengthened my attention to detail, reconciliation skills, and confidence working in high-volume environments.

My CQUniversity degree gave me the theory behind what I now apply daily, especially cost accounting and contract law in real project settings.