More than numbers

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.

What attracted to you to Deloitte and what does your job involve?

The extensive training offered at Deloitte is unparalleled, and was crucial for me at the start of my career. The firm is also the industry leader in the tax financial investors space, which gives me the opportunity to work and learn alongside highly skilled individuals on a variety of exciting projects. As a Tax Analyst in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), my role is to work with the team to support clients in completing these transactions, and advising them on tax matters. I enjoy the excitement of working with teams from all over the world on transactions that often end up making the international news.

What’s exciting about your industry and what will it look like in five years?

With anxiety around the pandemic starting to lift and interest rates remaining low, the M&A sector has been performing strongly and is expected to continue to its growth. The first half of 2021 included a record number of megadeals valued at more than $5bn, and these types of transactions are likely to become more common. The complex nature of these deals presents a very exciting opportunity for anyone working in tax, and I look forward to getting involved. Five years from now, I expect artificial intelligence and machine learning in virtual data rooms (where clients can provide us with key information) to be a much more integrated part of the tax due diligence process. I am confident that Deloitte will be a pioneer in many of these automation processes.

What surprised you about working at Deloitte?

When I started working at Deloitte I was surprised how equal people are across the firm. While there are different grades, everyone gets stuck in, no matter what level or part of the business they come from. I assumed the culture would be very corporate, but in reality I have worked with people who have really different personalities and approaches to the way they work. We do have a clear brand, but everyone is encouraged to be themselves.

How do you explain what you do and what you love about it?

I sometimes find it difficult to explain my job to friends and family because they assume that working in IT means I have a technical or operational role. Not many people know about risk management and control. I try and use an example they may be familiar with, for example looking at how a company keeps on top of its cyber risks, or manages internal security to make sure only the right people are accessing the data and systems. I love my job because it’s so people driven. We don’t make and sell a product, we offer the brainpower, perspectives and commitment of our teams to solve difficult and complex problems for our clients. There is also a clear public interest purpose, which is incredibly motivating and has kept me going through challenging times for more than 20 years.

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.

What attracted you to Deloitte?

Deloitte is known for its flexible working environment and the support it offers to new parents. As a first-time mother I was a bit nervous joining the team, but the people around me have made it easy for me to manage my career around personal commitments. The caring attitude I see from my team inspires me to work from the heart, not just because I’m paid to do a job. During the interview process I got a great idea about the firm’s values and their focus on inclusivity and diversity really appealed to me.

What does leadership mean to you?

As an Assistant Manager in Audit and Assurance, I want to be a role model for the team. I believe good leadership means encouraging people to achieve their maximum potential whenever they’re working towards a goal. In the field of audit, it’s important that we lead by example, so that the rest of the team has a path to follow.