From graduate to partner, by taking the road less travelled

By any measure, Christine Atencia’s career at Nexia Sydney has been one marked by clarity of purpose, quiet resilience, and deep commitment – not only to her clients, but to the legacy of her family’s sacrifices and her belief in the power of financial planning to shape better lives.

As a partner and senior financial planner at Nexia Sydney, Christine Atencia’s journey from university graduate to industry leader serves as both a case study in determination and a call to action for the next generation of advisors.

Atencia’s career trajectory didn’t begin with grand ambitions of partnership or prestige. It started with a love of numbers, instilled early in life by her accountant father and entrepreneurially minded mother. “My parents taught me the value of money very young,” she reflects. “We’d sell drinks at tennis events every Friday. That was my first taste of what it meant to create something of your own.”

When Atencia’s parents migrated from the Philippines to Australia, they left behind their own careers to build a better future for their children. It’s a sacrifice she doesn’t take lightly. “They gave up everything they knew so that my brother and I could access education and opportunity,” she says. “That’s a constant driver for me.”

Following in her father’s footsteps, she pursued an accounting degree, unaware at the time that financial planning was even an option. But a compulsory subject in her final year –  taught by a passionate tutor who was also a practicing adviser – changed everything. “He helped me see that being a financial adviser wasn’t just about numbers,” Atencia says. “It was about helping people get from where they are now to where they want to be.”

Even with a newfound passion, the path wasn’t straightforward. Atencia made a strategic choice to join a mid-tier accounting firm with a financial planning arm (Nexia Sydney) in 2008, with the aim of eventually moving into advice. That transition came in 2010, but not without setbacks. “Honestly, it felt like starting all over again,” she says. “I had to begin again from the bottom – administration assistant, then moved to client service, then junior paraplanner.”

Each step, though, was foundational. “The hands-on experience, the mentorship I received – it shaped me,” she reflects. “You don’t just step into giving advice. You earn it.”

By 2013, Atencia was a fully qualified financial planner. A decade later, she became a partner – a rare and impressive milestone in a large firm like Nexia. “Looking back, there were no shortcuts. It was about consistency, mentorship, and being willing to learn every single day.”

At the heart of her work is a deeply human philosophy. “Wealth isn’t just numbers in a bank account. It’s your health, your relationships, your legacy,” Atencia explains. “I always say, every financial decision should connect to purpose. That’s where true financial empowerment begins.”

Her client base today largely includes pre-retirees – those nearing the finish line of their working lives, ready to shift into a new chapter. “I work with high-income professionals, often finished with the mortgage and school fees, now looking to aggressively build wealth for retirement,” Atencia says. “But it’s never just about the money. It’s about designing a life with intention.”

As Nexia Sydney’s advice team has grown – now ten advisers strong within a wider 250-person office – Atencia has also taken on the role of mentor. “Succession planning isn’t just about the business,” she says. “It’s about investing in the next generation. Every junior adviser we bring in is someone we hope will become a future partner.”

She is acutely aware of the challenges facing new entrants to the industry. Education requirements, the Professional Year, and regulatory hurdles can feel overwhelming. Yet, she’s optimistic. “These are growing pains of a profession maturing,” she says. “We should be proud that we’re now seen on par with doctors and lawyers. That legitimacy matters.”

Her advice to graduates today? “Don’t chase the title – chase the impact. Be curious. Be resilient. And find mentors who will challenge and champion you.”

For Atencia, the profession’s future lies in its ability to connect with younger Australians early. “We need to be in high schools, teaching financial literacy. Not everyone has parents like mine who talked about money at the dinner table,” she says. Though she hasn’t yet returned to speak at her own school, it’s a goal she holds close.

And what of the role of a financial planner in this new era? “We’re not the sole experts,” she says. “We’re the conductor. We bring together the best minds – accountants, legal, SMSF experts – to deliver true, holistic advice. That’s the beauty of a firm like Nexia.”

When asked what she’d tell the graduate version of herself, Atencia pauses. “I’d say – trust your gut. Don’t be afraid to take the road less travelled. And don’t ever underestimate what you can achieve with purpose, humility, and a little bit of courage.”

Atencia’s story is a testament to the power of intention. It’s the journey of a young woman who honoured her roots, embraced the grind, and rose to a leadership position in a competitive, male-dominated industry – not by chasing prestige, but by staying anchored in service.

As the industry continues to evolve, voices like hers will shape its soul – grounded, visionary, and above all, human.