Hi, I'm Ali.
Manager in Audit & Assurance and sports enthusiast
Read it, like it, share it...
My journey so far…
I was born in Bangladesh but grew up in Coventry. The people in my local area were lovely and it was a diverse environment. I wasn’t a big fan of school, but I loved playing football with my friends. After my parents split up, I lived in a single parent household, with my grandparents supporting my mum to raise me. My grandad had an Indian restaurant, where I used to help out as a child. I would clean and mop floors which I really enjoyed, because I like practical tasks and being active.
Coming from an immigrant background, I always felt like I needed to study hard. I was the first person in my family to get a formal education and have the chance to go to university. Although I never thought of myself as very academic, I took the opportunity to study accountancy as I wanted to make them proud. After graduating I decided to join Deloitte, as it seemed like a really good company with lots of opportunities for practical learning.
Work that matters
I’m now an Analytics Manager in Audit, IT, Data and Analytics. My job is to manage projects internally, spot risks and trends in data, streamline processes and increase the efficiency of digital tools being used by Deloitte. I also assist with external audits, producing analytics for their risk assessments.
I enjoy the diversity of the work I’m involved in and it’s never the same every day. One day I’m getting briefed on a potential project, the next day I might be helping to build a new digital tool. It’s hands-on too, which I’ve always enjoyed, and there’s been great opportunities to develop. I started as an associate, and I’ve had four promotions in six years.
I’m a member of the Muslim Network, which hosts regular events and learning sessions, as well as offering a space for people to connect. Our networks are open to anyone, and they help people to learn about others. Prior to working at Deloitte, I only knew people from Coventry, so the firm and our networks have really helped to open my eyes to diversity and new perspectives.
I had a baby last year, and I’ve been supported with flexible working. I also do school runs for my wife’s younger sister who’s at primary school, so I really appreciate being able to move my hours around when needed. My managers have put trust in me, because they know I’ll get the job done. When I joined the firm I assumed there would be a culture of long hours. In reality there’s a very healthy work/life balance. You’re encouraged to take time out, and I have plenty of time to enjoy my hobbies while building a great career.
Highlights from my week
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I have multiple meetings to discuss our plans for the week and our urgent upcoming tasks. I then work on an Audit project, producing analytics to support a risk assessment. | We deliver the results of our risk assessment to the Audit team, and they are happy with the figures we’ve produced. At lunch I go to the gym, before drafting a budget for an internal project. | I make some routine updates to an analytics dashboard that will help us to monitor data. In the afternoon I do a school run to pick up my sister-in-law. | I have a team training session in the office where we learn more about some new tech offerings, before heading for a social in the evening. | I have a meeting in the morning to discuss projects for next week, before investigating a new project we might be working on. I relax in the evening with a family dinner. |
My weekend looks like
I’m a very active person, and I enjoy weightlifting, boxing and football. I read quite a lot too, especially when I’ve discovered a new subject and want to learn all about it. Gaming is a great way for me to switch off, and I also like to travel. My partner and I both have desk jobs, so we go outside walking whenever we get the chance.
3 things I've learned
Be determined
I’ve experienced so many different types of learning, all of which have shaped my ways of thinking. It’s helped me to think outside the box and try different methods until a problem is solved.
Time management is vital
Working for the firm has taught me how to juggle tasks, while staying focused on completing each one when I need to.
Learn from your colleagues
Working with a wide range of people from different backgrounds has been a fulfilling experience for me. Hearing their stories and backgrounds has helped me to learn more and better myself.
Opens in new window
Ali's book recommendation
The Sweet Science by A.J. Liebling
The Sweet Science tells the human stories behind some of greatest boxers in history, including some of the most iconic boxing fights. It really appeals to me as a sports fan, but I also think that it offers some inspiring and important lessons about resilience. The book is told in a human way, which makes it very engaging.
