Secrets of Success

Deloitte and you

Q. What is your role in Deloitte?

I am part of the Forensic team based in Singapore that delivers services including fraud investigation, corruption and bribery review, as well as Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) advisory work to clients across Southeast Asia.
 

Q. Why did you choose Deloitte?

I heard many positive things about Deloitte from my peers before my interview and I had a great first impression of the firm when I interacted with my interviewer and through the other networking sessions such as the Tri-University Recruitment Fair. Deloitte values teamwork and we have a family culture. I like working in teams and interacting with people and I think there was a great fit between me and Deloitte.
 

Q. How is Deloitte different from the other Big Four Accountancy firms?

I think the main differentiating factor between Deloitte and the other Big Four is our people and culture. There is a great sense of togetherness and strong team spirit within the firm. It may sound cliché but we do really have an open culture and open door policy.
 

Q. What are some of the opportunities that Deloitte provided you?

I have been given opportunities to work on very challenging projects of diverse nature, which has allowed me to expand my knowledge and skills in the Forensic field. I also have had the opportunity to interact with people from various cultures. Deloitte Forensic alone has more than 10 nationalities! As a result, I have improved greatly on my communication and people skills.
 

Q. What is your career aspiration and how does Deloitte support you in achieving it?

I would like to be a subject matter expert in the field of Forensic and learn more about fraud and financial crime. Deloitte places great emphasis on learning and development and ensures that our technical and soft skills are up to scratch. I have also been given every opportunity to excel and define my career path.


Your advice to undergraduates

Q. What advice would you offer undergraduates who want to pursue a career in Forensic?

Forensic is a niche area and a new joiner needs be openminded and enjoy learning about new things every day. Our assignments are always different and there is a great unpredictability to our work, but that is why the work is interesting. I am able to work independently and yet excel as a team player. One key takeaway from my experience working in Deloitte is that communication is everything. You listen to understand and not just to respond.
 

Q. What can undergraduates expect when working in Financial Advisory?

You can expect to learn many new and interesting things that are not taught in school. The responsibilities and opportunities given to you in the various assignments will help you to grow both as a professional and as a person. It’s a steep learning curve from Day 1. There will be plenty of support and guidance from team members but one has to think quickly on their feet.
 

Q. What advice would you offer to undergraduates in terms of career choices?

If I could suggest one way, it would be to link up with people in the market. LinkedIn gives you easy access to the right people in the right industry. Drop them a message and see if you could get more insights into the career that you would like to know more.


Your Deloitte experience

Q. What is it like working in Deloitte?

It has been an eventful and exciting journey. The challenging projects keep me engaged and I enjoy learning new things from my colleagues at work and passing on my knowledge to my juniors.
 

Q. What is the best part of your job?

The ability to work on various projects across Southeast Asia. I have done money laundering and fraud investigation in Singapore, corruption and bribery due diligence in Malaysia and Thailand and fraud risk assessment work in Vietnam. To get the chance to be exposed to different cultures in our neighbouring countries has been a wonderful and eye-opening experience
 

Q. What is your happiest moment at work?

There is always a great sense of achievement when a project is completed, and of course, events such as team outings and overseas training sessions will always add colour and flavour to the Deloitte experience.
 

Q. What are some of your most memorable Deloitte experiences?

There are too many! If I had to pick one, it would be my first forensic project in Vietnam, leading a team of fellow Vietnamese colleagues in performing a bribery and corruption due diligence assessment of a large Vietnamese company. I had the opportunity to travel around Vietnam and experience my first and only Vietnamese winter.