More than numbers

What does your role involve?

My role as a senior Audit Associate involves working for the Audit Delivery Centre in Newcastle, to perform checks on the audits we do. I look for anything that might be incorrect or missing, and flag any potential challenges to the wider team. It’s really important that the audits we perform and the reports we produce are accurate and high quality. The information we are providing is helping to build trust between businesses and the general public, and I’m proud to be part of a team that will hold businesses to account.

What networks are you part of?

I was diagnosed with autism in 2021, and became involved with the Neurodiversity Network at Deloitte. I’ve discovered there are lots of really useful forms of support available. My neurodiversity has become more apparent as I have increased in seniority, but I know that I can always ask for help. One example of this is the software tool I use for recording conversations. It will create a transcript for me, so that I can go back over the conversation and look for any nuance I might have missed. I also get involved with webinars and speak at events to help raise awareness by sharing my own story.

What do you do?

I joined Deloitte to work in the Analytics and Modelling team for Audit and Assurance. The world of analytics is so broad, and you can do so much with it. One example is ‘data visualisation’, where we set out data in a way that’s easy for businesses to see and understand, to help them make important decisions. Problem solving is also a big part of my role, as well as coding and design, which are actually very creative.

What do you most enjoy about your role?

There are so many different types of software you can learn and so much diversity in the role. I really enjoy that cycle of learning and using the learning for positive development and problem solving, to help companies. I love feeling like I have made a difference to the businesses we’re working with, and having a positive impact in society in turn. I also enjoy other aspects of life at Deloitte, including my role as a volunteer mentor and my work to support events and activities for the East Asian community, which is part of the Multicultural Network. There’s lots of things to get involved with here, whatever your interests are.

How did you get your job at Deloitte?

I went through a recruiter, who contacted me via LinkedIn. At the time I was working for a smaller firm and looking for the next step up. I was already keen to move jobs, and when the recruiter told me they had connections with Deloitte, it sounded like an exciting opportunity. They were able to guide me through the recruitment process, which was really helpful.

What inspired you to join from a smaller firm?

I wanted to challenge myself in Big 4 audit. Working in a smaller firm really helps you to develop core skills and you get good opportunities for training, as well as full exposure to the file and testing of financial statements. However, I didn’t have any experience working with FTSE listed companies, which I felt was important to progress to the next stage of my career. I’m really glad I made the move, it’s been a very positive experience. The induction was especially helpful, as it allowed me time to settle in and gain some more knowledge of Deloitte’s audit approach. You also get assigned a buddy, who can help answer any questions you have. At the same time the engagement teams and people I’ve worked with are all extremely supportive.

How did you get your job at Deloitte?

Before joining, I was working at a smaller firm. I wasn’t actively looking for new roles, but when I was contacted by a recruiter I thought the opportunity at Deloitte seemed really exciting. I wanted to gain new experience working with larger companies and global operations, as well as obtaining more exposure to International Financial Reporting and Auditing standards. The idea of being part of a larger engagement team, with opportunities to manage people, also really appealed to me.

What was positive about the transition from a smaller firm?

For me the step up in size was exactly what I was looking for, and I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity. I’ve also had the chance to meet lots of new people which I’ve really enjoyed, as Deloitte has expertise in pretty much all business areas you can think of. Joining from a smaller firm has been a real boost for my career and I’m excited about what the next steps will bring. In future I’d like to do international secondment opportunities, as well as continuing my learning and development.

What are the biggest misconceptions about Audit and Assurance?

As an Early Career Development Programme (ECDP) Lead in Audit, I think there is a misconception that the sector is boring and monotonous, with long days spent on Excel files. In reality there’s huge scope to work across different industries and engagement entities, resulting in diverse work and experiences. The skills people build can vary from advanced communication, to project management and analytical knowledge. You’ll have the chance to interact with senior leadership from the outset and manage teams as part of your day-to-day work.

How have you developed your career since joining Deloitte?

For me growth and learning has come from the different directions my career has taken me within Deloitte. When I first joined, I sat on a revenue generating team within Risk Advisory and then had the opportunity to join A&A’s change function, where I helped set up one of our UK Delivery Centres. Staying within that team, I moved to a talent role and got involved with the design and set up of our Early Career Development Programme (ECDP). I currently lead this team and help to deliver a range of learning activities for the people in our teams who’ve joined one of the early career programmes.

What attracted you to A&A at Deloitte?

I studied Accounting with Mathematics & Statistics at University and I’d always been interested in a career in accounting. Deloitte offers you a great opportunity to get hands on experience whilst studying for your Chartered Accountant qualification, which is what attracted me. During the application process I found there was a very inclusive culture here, and the people were welcoming. I also grew up in Scotland and wanted to start my career in familiar surroundings. It made it an easy decision to accept the offer and join the firm, and I’m really glad that I chose the Glasgow office. It’s a fun, exciting city and the quality of companies we work with and opportunities available are the same as they are in London.

What are the biggest misconceptions about Audit and Assurance?

The biggest misconception about Audit and Assurance is that it’s a monotonous box ticking exercise. In reality Deloitte has technology in place to help us to tackle the basic tasks in a more efficient manner, which frees up our time to really invest in the companies we audit. No two days are ever the same, and we spend a lot of time having important conversations where we use our problem-solving skills. I’ve now been part of numerous audits from start to finish and witnessed how much focus and scrutiny is applied to ensure that we are delivering the highest quality of audit processes.

What attracted you to Deloitte and what surprised you about working here?

I moved to Deloitte from another Big Four firm in October 2019, because of Deloitte’s focus on diversity and wellbeing. I really liked the initiatives around culture, values and inclusion, which make everyone at the firm feel valued. For me the role of audit has always been about getting the job done, which has meant neglecting both my physical and mental wellbeing in the past. Working for Deloitte is completely different. Not only do managers help clients through insights and recommendations, there is also a strong commitment to people, diversity of thought and individual wellbeing.

How do you explain your job to friends and family?

In the simplest terms, my jobs is to audit the financial statements of entities to provide assurance that they are accurate, reliable and free from significant errors. The role allows me to see how different businesses operate and to gain an understanding of different industries. I love being able to build great relationships with the teams I work with, as well as the opportunities to gain knowledge from other like-minded people at Deloitte.

How do you explain your job to other people?

I’m the first person in my family to go into a professional, corporate career so I sometimes find it hard to explain my job to people. If I tell them I’m an analyst, they tend to ask what an analyst does. The easiest explanation is that my role involves looking closely at company accounts and identifying risks and trends, based on what our clients need. I love the fact that I am involved in so many different projects and that my work is always engaging.

What’s the best thing about working with your team?

My team is full of hard workers who are always happy to lend a hand. The team is constantly expanding as the quality of the work we produce seems to increase the demand. There were only three members in my team when I joined in September 2019, and soon the headcount is expected to grow to at least 17. The progression at Deloitte is steady and I’ve always felt in control of my own career path. You can learn something new here every day which I really enjoy.