In Partnership with Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
When you think of Disney, you probably picture movies, music, and unforgettable characters. What you may not think about? The talented and passionate accountants working behind the scenes who help make the magic happen.
For Brett Conley, a Chartered Accountant (CA) and the Finance Manager at Disney+ Australia and New Zealand, numbers and creativity go hand in hand. In a recent interview with Variety AU/NZ, Brett shares how she uses her skills in accounting to make epic things happen and ensure that Disney’s creative vision is financially sound.
The most magical job on earth
Like many people her age, Brett’s first connection with Disney was “Lion King.” “It wasn’t just the movie itself, I love the music. I even had a plush toy of Simba that slept next to me for many years,” she shares.
Now, working on the Disney+ team is a dream come true. “Even though it’s a legacy brand that’s over 100 years old, it’s exceptionally fast-paced and constantly evolving. In my four years here, never has one day been the same. It’s magical.” That sense of wonder isn’t just about the content Disney creates, it’s embedded in the way the company operates. “It’s got that kind of Peter Pan element about the business,” Brett explains. “No one wants to grow up, everyone wants to stay young, by working at Disney.”
Through her role, Brett is helping change the stereotype that accounting is dull. “People think being an accountant is actually boring. Operating spreadsheets, bashing away on the keyboard,” she says. “To me, being an accountant is actually enabling creativity, giving life to numbers. It allows us to pursue those creative endeavours and know that commercially they make sense.”
A life-changing career pivot
Brett’s journey to Finance Manager at Disney+ wasn’t straightforward. In fact, in early 2018, her world changed overnight.
“On Valentine’s Day, I was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 26. Completely out of the blue, I had been in perfect health prior to my diagnosis,” she says. After rounds of chemo and a stem cell transplant, Brett slowly started to recover. “I’m extremely lucky. I like to think it’s my own personal miracle really.”
At the time, Brett was in a role that involved guiding clients through challenging financial situations on a regular basis. Her cancer diagnosis was a shock to the system and made her rethink her career path.
“I wanted a job that made me happy. I found that in my job at Disney. You’re not just put away in a corner to run your numbers. People really rely on you, whether it’s partnerships, marketing, productions and that’s what I’m really excited about my job.”
The next generation of accountants
Brett proves that accounting isn’t just about keeping the books balanced, it’s about making things possible. Within the Disney+ team, she is one of three CAs, and she credits her qualification for opening doors for people who want an interesting and diverse career. “The CA Program will honestly take you anywhere you want to go,” she says.
For young people considering their future, Brett wants them to see the possibilities in accounting as a way to support an industry they are passionate about. It’s a profession that opens lots of exciting opportunities, whether you’re interested in music, film, sports, or tech. Behind every artist, creative and actor, there is a financial expert like Brett making epic things happen.
Numbers aren’t just numbers, they’re the foundation of every great story. And at Disney+, Brett is making sure those stories continue to come to life.
Ready to turn your passions into a job in accounting? Watch Brett’s story and learn how you can take your career in a new direction at MakeEpicThingsHappen.com.