What do you do? What are the duties, functions and responsibilities that you are involved in as a part of your role?
I have spent the past year as an auditor with SW. We are responsible for assuring financial statements are reasonably stated and comply with relevant accounting standards, so a lot of what we do involves understanding our client’s business processes in order to assess and reach our objective of reasonable assurance. We work individually but also in teams, so there’s always some support.
Can you tell us a little about your firm’s work culture and environment? What sets it apart?
SW has developed a culture where everyone knows they are supported in their development and growth. Our firm values sit at the core of how we work and the part we all play in creating a professional and quality experience while maintaining an open and supportive environment. Personally, I believe what sets SW apart the most is the pride we take in our work and our open doors value. Over the past year, my ability to develop as a young professional has been greatly supported by my seniors, who are always available and ready to assist me in my personal development.
How did you get started in this field? How well did your work relate to the experiences or studies you had in university?
My previous experience with Audit was initially limited and only through my university studies. However, in my final year a well commended university convenor, who had worked in the audit field for quite some time, sparked my curiosity in the field with stories of interesting experiences and encounters his position had placed him in. Naturally, following the closure of my time in Tax, I decided to pursue a position in the Audit field, and I am glad to say I now have my own interesting encounters and experiences to recount. The position has tied together my knowledge of accounting gained throughout my studies, with experiences I feel are always interesting in one way or another.
Do you have any advice for someone applying for your company? What qualities do you feel sets someone apart in your field?
As an Auditor, there is always something new to think about, so being adaptable and paying attention to the little details are always invaluable qualities! As a recent graduate, I would recommend looking into SW to see how it aligns with you. Overall, our values are very simple but also really powerful in practice: Own It, Love Your Work, Share the Load, Open Doors and Embrace the Ride. These can mean a number of things to different people, but at large what will set you apart the most is to bring forward your own strengths, appreciate others for theirs and be excited to bring ideas and collaborate together. Valuing people is at the core of what we do.
What do you find to be the most interesting or challenging part of your work?
For Auditors, the most interesting aspect is the range of industries we come to learn about and understand. No two clients are ever really the same and therefore, no two jobs are ever the same. This level of variety always keeps things interesting and means you're never bored. As for challenges in our field, as any accountant can tell you, managing busy periods can be tough, especially for us who are also completing our further studies and attaining our CA/CPA. This is really the time for our #embracetheride value! I am thankful for the support provided by SW in this area. It’s busy, but my Partners and team also understand the need for work-life balance. Which is something not all accounting firms put into practice.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
If I could tell myself 3 things as a student, it would be: