Jin Tae has built his entire career in Operate services, honing his craft in Deloitte’s Business Process Solutions Centre in Madrid, Spain. Read about his work on the frontline helping clients streamline and scale their finance and accounting operations.
Briefly explain what you do at Deloitte.
I’m a Senior Manager in our Business Process Solutions (BPS) Centre. My team helps businesses manage their accounting, tax, and administrative processes through using experienced Deloitte professionals. We focus on delivering ongoing high-quality client services, executing every task according to compliance requirements. This includes bookkeeping, reporting, budget preparation, tax compliance, treasury services and more.
How would you explain what you do to someone who knows nothing about Operate services?
We use specialist knowledge and experience, and on-demand resources (talent and technology) to help clients better handle their finances and associated processes on an ongoing basis—freeing up their time and resources to offer greater functional support to their organisation. We help deliver new technologies, business processes and more streamlined ways of working—from augmenting existing teams with specialist Deloitte resources to full-function oversight and operations.
Tell us about an Operate services project you're most proud of working on in your career.
A recent project involves an organisation, who due to limited internal resource and technical capability was looking to consolidate a large number of transactional accounting related tasks to a single provider. We examined their existing technology and processes, identified areas of improvement, and offered a strategic roadmap for ongoing management. The client now realises significant time, cost and operational efficiencies while still retaining control and oversight of their overall operating model. Following a recent review of the project with the CFO, they took me aside and congratulated our team, appreciating the long-term, sustainability of the Operate solution.
What does a typical day of work look like for you?
My day involves a lot of communication with clients, teams from different departments, and my team. These conversations revolve around helping minimise risk, creative problem solving, and managing and finding new business opportunities with our clients.
How did you end up in Operate services?
I entered the BPS team working in Operate services straight from university. Since then, I’ve learnt a lot about these services and the different client sectors that I have worked with—specifically the real estate sector, which I specialise in today. I’ve been lucky to work with many talented Deloitte teams around the world, build my career network, and engage with some of the largest client organisations.
What excites you most about your role? Why do you do what you do?
Being able to showcase my specialist skills and drive measurable value for our clients. I also enjoy keeping up with the latest market trends and changes in finance and tax regulation globally. My tasks and responsibilities also continually change, and due to the global scope of my clients, I get to collaborate with teams worldwide, which is extremely enjoyable.
What's the most challenging part of your job?
Some days can be challenging because of the number of activities required—technology, deadlines, processes and meetings. I couldn’t do this without my team; having them on the journey learning with me is really empowering. Even though it takes time to learn, understand and execute for our clients, we’re all in it together, always working on new, innovative, and creative ways to tackle client challenges.
What's a common misconception about working in Operate services?
Some people think we just work on repetitive bookkeeping and tax compliance tasks. They’re wrong—we’re helping the frontline of client business operations. I like to refer to our role as being the “traffic light signal”, a trusted advisor for our clients: flagging new regulations, identifying and helping them manage ongoing risks, and implementing new technology-enabled processes. It’s so much more than just executing a command—it’s being proactive in conversations and taking action.
What aspects of your career journey have taken you by surprise?
Although my whole career has been in Deloitte Spain, every opportunity has taken me by surprise both personally and professionally. If I look back to the Jin Tae who had just finished his degree and was just starting out in BPS, compared to the one I am today—my subject matter knowledge, confidence engaging with clients, and team leadership—it’s never where I would’ve expected.
What advice would you give your younger self about working in Operate services?
Careers in Operate can be very interesting if you’re willing to dedicate the time needed to learn and grow. It’s important to recognise and be proactive in creating opportunities to expand your knowledge and achieve new heights within the industry. There’s a real skill in understanding a client’s needs and being able to translate them into innovative solutions that help realise their goals.
What do you like to do outside of work? And why is it so special to you?
I enjoy spending time with my family. I have a four-year-old son and we spend a lot of time swimming or turning up the music and dancing around the house. I’m also introducing him to football and other sports. Golfing is also a passion for me. I love the challenge of having to outdo yourself with the restraints of an open field and trying to get a tiny ball into a tiny hole. It’s both relaxing and exhilarating.
Note: The services and experiences described herein are intended to demonstrate Deloitte's experience and capabilities in these areas, however, due to independence restrictions that apply to audit clients (including affiliates), Deloitte is unable to provide certain services based on individual facts and circumstances. Therefore, the experiences and descriptions would not apply to services to audit clients.