CTM Career Pathways: Tom McCarthy

A finance journey with a twist of travel 

A successful career in finance doesn’t mean you have to stay in your lane – that’s how you learn.  Meet Tom; his decision to take an “in-between” job has turned out to be a rewarding career in corporate travel, using the principles of accounting and finance in ways he had never dreamed of.

 

Commencing as a Trainee Accountant, Tom later took a path unknown outside of a “traditional” finance role to support CTM’s national sales team, to now mentoring and training a new era of finance superstars where he can impart all of his years of knowledge and experience. If you are just starting your career in finance or looking for a new industry to apply your skills, let Tom’s story inspire you to join CTM.

Tom’s Career Pathway – Snapshot

• 2009 – Trainee Accountant
• 2010 – Financial Analyst
• 2011 – Senior Financial Analyst
• 2013 – Planning & Reporting Manager
• 2016 – Strategic Sales Support
• 2023 – Planning & Reporting Manager / Lead Trainer

You have had a long and successful career with CTM, tell us where it all began.

I certainly don’t have the cliché story about growing up loving travel and dreaming of being in the industry. I finished accountancy at university and was looking for a six-month “in between” job while waiting for the next intake of Graduate Programs at the big accountancy firms. I would never have considered the travel industry for an accounting career and had never heard of CTM, but they seemed like a great group of people.  Well, that “in-between” job has turned into 14 years – you could say I well and truly caught the travel bug and still love it!

What have been your career highlights at CTM?

Being a part of a great growth story has been a highlight. Being Brisbane-based, I’ve been fortunate to work in our head office since before the company was listed on the ASX. Being a witness to the company’s successes from those early days to today has been an amazing experience.

On a more personal note, some highlights have been:

• Running my first AU/NZ company-wide budgeting/forecasting process from end to end
• Involvement in acquisition strategies, from reporting to the consolidation of data
• Being a team leader and developing/mentoring new staff
• Playing a part in successful supplier contract negotiations
• Obtaining my CPA qualification
• Playing a role in record levels of sales generation
• Winning two CTM All Star Awards and being rewarded with trips to Malaysia and Hong Kong with my colleagues!

You returned to the department of Planning & Reporting after years of supporting the sales team. What inspired you to make the change?

The post-COVID recovery across the business meant an opportunity opened for me to return to the Planning & Reporting space, however this time in a mentor capacity to train and educate CTM’s next generation of Financial Analysts coming through the business. After all the years I have worked at CTM, I wanted to impart my knowledge and experience like others did for me and thought this was the perfect avenue to do so. It’s a young team with some being brand new to the travel industry, which sets me a challenge, but a rewarding one. There is no better way to test your knowledge and expertise than to train someone else. It is going to be a busy, but productive year.

What do you enjoy most about the CTM culture and why?

Although the CTM Group has grown substantially since I started in 2009, one thing is for sure – it hasn’t changed the DNA at the core of the business. In many respects, it still feels like a small business, so our “global solutions delivered locally” ethos certainly rings true. I love that there are still many familiar faces that were here back in the early days. It certainly says a lot for a business when people are hitting their 10, 15, and 20-year anniversaries.

Have you had the opportunity to travel for your role at CTM? Tell us about your favorite experience.

Through being awarded as a CTM All Star, I have been fortunate enough to jet off to Hong Kong and Malaysia with my fellow CTM All Stars. More recently, I was privileged to attend the Australian Open in Melbourne as a guest of one of our valued supplier partners.

What has been your most valuable learning experience at CTM and why?

I have learned over the years to give everything a go and put my hand up for any of those “odd jobs/projects” around the business that pop up from time to time. There’s always a task that doesn’t necessarily have a natural “home” in one specific department, so if the opportunity presents itself I like to take these on. This is how I get to learn more about the business and its inner workings. Don’t stay in your lane, it’s a great way to learn!

Have you been given any advice, guidance, or opportunities that significantly impacted your career progression at CTM? If so, what was it?

Yes, I’ve had great support throughout my career at CTM. I’ve formed great relationships with many different mentors who have always supported my development and importantly backed me whenever a new opportunity has come up. The best advice I’ve been given has been to never stop asking questions, that’s how you learn.

What is something interesting, obscure, or funny you have discovered about working in the travel industry that you can share with prospective employees?

The travel industry is full of acronyms so be prepared for your A, B, Cs.  If you’re new to the industry don’t feel overwhelmed. There are plenty of people to help you and resources to access. If in doubt, just throw a few letters together and say it confidently! People will just think you’re ahead of the game and talking about the latest industry trend or buzzword!

What is your favorite thing about working in the travel industry?

Whilst some may say crunching numbers and analysis is boring, when you mix it with travel it is certainly not! What they say is true – it is fast-paced and ever-changing. I love it.