What surprised you about the job as an auditor?

Definitely that you very quickly take on a great deal of responsibility, and that you can feel that you are making a difference – both for the client and for your team. You are given the opportunity early on to work independently and try your hand at many different areas. Something I really appreciate is the direct client contact. You are not just in the office – you are out at client sites, in dialogue with them, and you quickly gain insight into their business and how it is structured.

What has the NEXT programme given you so far?

The NEXT programme is structured across the first three years at Deloitte. The first module I attended gave me the fundamental theoretical foundation – including planning and understanding why we do what we do. Beyond the professional side, NEXT also helps shape the entire new cohort across the offices. So in addition to the social element locally, you get to know people from other offices really well – and become even closer with colleagues at your own office whom you do not necessarily work with on a daily basis, as you are spread across different teams. NEXT truly contributes to both: the professional and the social.

How do you experience support and the opportunity to ask for help?

When you start as a trainee, you are assigned a buddy, who is your primary point of contact, and is always available. On top of that, you have your team, who are of course more than happy to help, because they genuinely want you to develop. I have experienced myself that help does not necessarily have to come from your own team – it can just as easily be a colleague elsewhere in the office who is particularly strong in the area you are working on. People are passionate about the profession and are happy to pass that on.

What responsibilities have you been given in your role?

From day one, you can quickly take on responsibility for accounting areas. I would almost say that on a weekly basis you can feel the responsibility growing, and that you gain insight into new areas. Now, nearly a year in as a trainee, I am working with clients and carrying out tasks independently that I am responsible for. On top of that, I have taken on an internal role as a superuser for one of the systems we use in-house, and I help others with it. You are very much in control of it yourself: if you want more responsibility, you signal that and you get it. And conversely, if things are moving too quickly, you can easily say so, and it will be taken care of.

What would you say to a student who is unsure whether Deloitte is the right place for them?

I would say: give it a go. There are an incredible number of opportunities. If you end up in a situation where a particular task, industry, or client does not quite suit you, there is so much more to choose from. We are very open to people speaking up and saying they would like to try something different. People are genuinely interested in your development – not only professionally and commercially, but personally as well. There is a real focus on the individual and on what you want yourself.

What would you say to a student who is unsure whether auditing is the right career for them?

As regards mathematics: you obviously need a certain understanding of it, but you do not need to be the best at mathematics to thrive. We have many tools that help us with our day-to-day work. The most important thing is that you are eager to learn and adaptable – the regulatory landscape is constantly changing, so that is an essential quality.