What's your employer doing and what are your areas of responsibility?
SW Accountants and Advisors is an independent, national firm with a strong presence across Australia. Based in the Perth Office, I am a part of the Assurance and Advisory Division (AAD) dealing with a wide range of clients from the Mining to the Not-for-profit sectors. A day in the life of a Consultant within AAD consists of a team meeting or two discussing our Audit plan for an engagement for example, an exploration and development mining entity whereby a discussion with the Auditor In Charge and Partner occurs developing a workflow plan as well as identifying the types of risks and procedures we need to address and perform in line with the Accounting Standards. Next, some technical training regarding specific sections of an audit for example, expenses and payroll. These are common sections allocated to junior consultants that involve multiple components of Test of Detail procedures and/or Substantive Analytical procedures. These procedures are all dependent on the discussions had in the Audit Plan meeting. And finally, some test of control procedures. A major part of an audit is to identify controls the client has put in place to ensure that material misstatement of accounts does not occur. As auditors, we need to sit and discuss with the client what these controls are and test whether these controls exist and are effective. Test of control procedures occur in the revenue, expense, payroll and financial reporting sections of the audit. Taking a graduate role shows you are willing to learn and grow. Asking questions and taking on opportunities is where you are meant to be. Having a basic understanding of the audit process and accounting concepts helps however, you are not expected to know everything straight away.
What is your background?
I was born and raised in Perth, WA however, I am lucky to be a part of a very multiculture family. Before completing my degrees, I worked in Jewellery for 5+ years where I loved learning about the production process as well as how such a big retail entity runs and operates. Working in retail was one of the biggest blessings in disguise. One of the major skills I needed to grow was my teamwork and communication skills and without working all those hours with my amazing team and learning that people are people I would not be able to communicate the way I do today. In my final year of studies, I was deciding on which route I wanted to take in my career. I was looking on all different job-seeking websites when I came across SW looking for graduates in their brand-new office located in Perth where I now have been a consultant for just over 9 months.
Firm's culture and environment?
SW has a lot of perks, there are 2 SW Days (paid days off), free lunch and CA and CPA incentives including study leave days for assessments. There is also interstate travel. In my first 6 months, I travelled to the interstate offices for lots of Training and events. You also get to be a part of a national firm, you are a part of audit teams all around the country where you can network with the other offices. Being at SW for 9 months now I have been a part of Quarterly AAD Team Activities which include escape Rooms, lunches and ice cream! I have been a part of end-of-year events, Mental Health Day, Chinese New Year Celebrations and Melbourne morning teas. Being a part of the smaller team here in the Perth office of AAD creates a space where you can connect with all your team members on different levels including the management and partners. Having weekly catch ups formal and informal creates a space for you to be yourself as well as be able to ask as many questions as you need. The team here is so open to helping you whether big or small and we all work together to ensure your workload is manageable. I have been able to meet and lean off some very knowledgeable people whether that is technical skills but also interpersonal skills understanding the best way to approach specific situations with specific personality types.
Interesting and challenging aspects of work
My job tests me in all the right ways. Technically and personally which overall will grow me as a professional. My daily tasks require me to problem-solve and adapt to the situation at hand to ensure that my productivity is sufficient. It creates a safe space for me to learn my strengths and weaknesses on the job whether it is a technical skill within a specific section of an audit or how to reword an email whereby I may need a significant amount of information from a client that will irritate them. It also allows me to set my short- and long-term goals so that my managers can see where I want to be in the future and give them a better understanding of where I want to be.
Advice for someone applying to SW? Qualities set someone apart in the field?
SW provides you with a foundation, great work culture, knowledgeable people, flexible working conditions, rewarding learning and development workshops and connections within multiple industries and services. My advice is to take advantage of it. Being a consultant allows you to try different industries and services, it allows you to travel and explore and it gives you the ability to meet some incredible people while doing it. Full-time work is not easy so you need to enjoy the place where you will be 8 hours a day.
3 Pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student?