“Diving and SAP aren’t that different. You have to stay calm. Think three steps ahead. And if something goes wrong, you don’t panic—you troubleshoot.”
It’s not every day that someone tells you their career began on the sidelines of a kids’ football game. But for Steve Turner, AnswerThink’s Director and a SAP Platinum Partner, that’s exactly how his journey into SAP began—on the grassy edges of a Queensland field, cheering on his son.
“I was chatting with one of the other dads who happened to be a senior figure in government,” Steve recalls. “He told me, ‘If you can do anything, get trained in SAP. It’s going to be the next big thing.’ That one line changed the course of my life.”
From CPA to SAP
Back then, Steve was a Certified Practising Accountant working as a systems accountant. The advice stuck with him. Not long after, he and a close mate enrolled in one of the first SAP FICO Academy courses offered in Queensland. He’s been deep in the ERP world ever since.
Now, as Director at AnswerThink, Steve has helped implement SAP systems across all seven continents—yes, even Antarctica.
“If my SAP career were a Netflix show, I’d call it The Backpacking Consultant,” he laughs. “It’s taken me to the most unexpected places, professionally and personally.”
Global Systems, Local Impact
Over the past 25 years, Steve’s SAP career has taken him from the USA to Pakistan, New Zealand, and beyond. But it’s not just the travel that’s shaped him—it’s the people.
He speaks fondly of his mentors, like John Jordan, a fellow Aussie and globally recognised SAP FICO expert. “When I get stuck, I email John. I’ve got all his books—I’m a bit of a fanboy,” Steve admits.
Another is Nick Parker, former SAP global quality lead and now a neighbour in Christchurch. “We still talk about the changing SAP landscape over a couple of beers.”
Diving Deep—in Water and Work
Outside of work, Steve is also a PADI Staff Instructor who’s trained fire and rescue dive teams in the US. He lights up when he talks about it. “Diving and SAP aren’t that different,” he reflects. “You have to stay calm. Think three steps ahead. And if something goes wrong, you don’t panic—you troubleshoot.”
Now back in New Zealand, he’s sticking to recreational dives. But the discipline and resilience he honed underwater still serve him every day in tech.
Passing the Torch
Steve is a big believer in paying it forward. “Mentorship especially appeals to me—helping someone who might not otherwise get a fair chance in this industry. That’s where the real reward is.”
His advice to those just starting out: “Find the part of SAP that makes sense for you. Maybe you’ve worked in warehouses—then logistics is your path. Or if you’re a numbers person like me, finance might click. Just anchor yourself somewhere, and build from there.”
Never Stop Learning
Steve’s final message? Keep moving.
“In this space, it’s not enough to be good—you have to stay hungry. Whether it’s learning about Joule or Cloud innovation, things evolve fast. Make a plan. Stay curious. And above all, don’t lose the joy.”
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn
