Balance is everything for Kenji Boekholt.
When he’s not working as an Assistant Manager with the Deal Advisory team at BDO Christchurch, you’ll find him skiing, mentoring young athletes, or exploring the outdoors. His career journey is anything but ordinary, and that’s exactly what makes it inspiring.
We spoke to Kenji about his career journey, what he enjoys about deal advisory, and how BDO Christchurch supports him to be his best.
From audit to advisory
Kenji was introduced to BDO when a friend suggested a role in Deal Advisory. “He said he had the perfect job for me - turns out he was right!” Kenji says. Now an Assistant Manager, he’s part of a tight-knit, agile team that tackles a wide range of work each week.
What makes the role rewarding?
“It's the combination of this supportive learning environment, the technical and value-added nature of the work, and the balance between professional and personal objectives,” Kenji explains.
Adventure with purpose
Kenji’s passion for skiing runs deep - his parents are both in the industry. That love for the outdoors led him to co-found Gritt, a charity that mentors’ young athletes and helps remove financial barriers to accessing outdoor sports. “Gritt is a modern take on the development of New Zealand youth, providing an organic connection with the outdoors and the pathways available across both grassroots and elite levels.”
Lessons from the slopes
Resilience, adaptability, and staying calm under pressure are qualities Kenji brings from adventure sports into his professional life. “The work we do can be technically challenging and comes with time constraints to deliver efficient and high-quality work…being able to take a step back, evaluate the situation and find a clear pathway forward, you'll always find more valuable growth.”
Why BDO?
“BDO for me has always felt like a place where people want to get the best out of you, instead of the most of you,” Kenji says. Whether it’s travelling for film projects or pursuing professional development, he’s felt backed by his team. “The biggest thing for me has been knowing I have people behind me when things aren't going well, or when life throws a curveball in the mix.”
Advice for future grads
“BDO is somewhere that punches above its weight but retains that feeling of a small town, where people look out for each other and are keen to get stuck in, and you know, you will get back whatever you put in.”
Interested in a career at BDO New Zealand?
Find out more about our career opportunities and how BDO can support you to be your best here.
Interested in a career at BDO New Zealand? Find out more about our career opportunities.
Learn more