EY Foundation’s Post

Calling all Accounting students and professionals! Are you looking for a rewarding career in Accounting or Audit? Check out EY's Career Path Accelerator and see how we can help you achieve your goals!! #EY #EYGPS

Reflecting on a Year of Growth ! The past year studying in the UK has been an incredible journey of personal and professional development. Sharing a pivotal chapter in my career journey – navigating the complexities of the job market as an international graduate. In October 2023, I began my application process for graduate roles with great hope and determination. After months of rigorous online assessments, interviews, and a final assessment center in December, I was thrilled to receive my first graduate offer from one of the Big 4, PwC for the Graduate Enterprise Business Applications role in Birmingham, starting in Autumn 2024. It was a culmination of hard work and perseverance, and by February 2024, I felt I had achieved a significant milestone. However, in April 2024, a change in UK government immigration rules led to my offer being revoked. This was an unexpected and challenging moment. Despite the setback, I have come to view this as an opportunity for redirection rather than defeat. While I may not be joining PwC UK, I remain confident that this is merely a stepping stone towards an even greater opportunity. My passion for corporate finance remains undiminished, and I look forward to embracing new challenges with determination and resilience. To those navigating similar hurdles in their career, remember that setbacks are often the precursors to growth. Every challenge brings with it the potential for new opportunities, and I am excited to continue my journey in the world of finance with renewed focus and optimism. #CareerJourney #Resilience #OpportunityInAdversity #GrowthMindset #Finance #big4 #PwC #Deloitte #KPMG #EY

I'm excited to share that l've successfully completed a three-day Virtual Insight Programme with PwC UK. During this programme, I explored the business areas available for school leavers at PwC and enhanced my employability skills through a mix of theoretical and practical activities from our handbooks. The experience was incredibly enriching, providing an in-depth look at the different finance lines of service and offering a glimpse into life at PwC. ⭐️ Day 1 We began the programme with a session on PwC's culture and inclusion, followed by an introduction to various career pathways at the company. We also received an overview of auditing and had the opportunity to try it out ourselves. The day concluded with a session focused on developing our business acumen skills. This activity provided a clear and concise understanding of auditing as a line of service and highlighted the importance of understanding clients' needs. ⭐️ Day 2 We had the chance to delve into three distinct lines of service at PwC: Technology, Consulting, and Operate. The day also featured a Virtual Park Networking activity, which allowed students to connect with new employees who were just beginning their careers at the firm. To conclude the day, there was a session specifically for parents and teachers, offering valuable insights into post-18 options and pathways available to students. ⭐️ Day 3 On our final day, we gained insight into tax as a line of service. A few professionals joined us to discuss demystifying tax, life within the tax field, and the impact of GenAl and technology. We also received valuable tips for interviews and assessments, aimed at helping us become standout candidates for future opportunities. Overall, this experience has offered me significant insights and understanding of the various pathways available for school and college leavers, as well as graduates. It has introduced me to the distinct lines of service within the financial sector. A big thank you to the team of professionals that made this programme successful. Look forward to many more opportunities like this. #PwC #InsightProgramme #Technology #Consulting #Operate #Audit #Tax #Sustainability

Highlighting the recent ‘Insight Evenings’ delivered by our Early Careers recruitment team, which have received widespread acclaim from attendees and presenters alike. Some of those attending will one day be Directors and Partners in Crowe’s future. All because they’ve had an instructive, influential and positive engagement with our employer brand at such an early stage of their formative years. What a brilliant way to give future talent a tangible idea of what life is like in an accounting practice. #WeAreCrowe #EarlyCareers #careersinaccounting

Ever felt like you were starting from scratch while everyone else seemed to be miles ahead? You're not alone. After working for a year in commercial banking, I realized my true passion lay in corporate finance at a Big 4 firm. So, I decided to apply for the graduate program at EY - three years after graduating from University. Everything seemed fine until my first day at work, where I was introduced to my colleagues who were "on the same level" as me. Most of them were people who had once looked up to me in school; I had helped some with their coursework and taught tutorials. Many came to me for advice when they started college. During the graduate orientation program, a rumour started that I wasn't a graduate but was just joining the graduates for orientation because people couldn't believe I was starting all over again. I felt ashamed and thought I had failed in life. Those I considered my "mates" were now going to be supervising my work. I struggled during the first few weeks at EY, questioning myself and dealing with self-doubt. Fast forward to today, in two weeks, I will be celebrating six years at EY, and it has been the best decision I ever made. Stepping back and making a career-defining decision at the expense of my ego and pride has made me far better off six years down the line. I learnt that everyone's path is different, that comparing yourself to others is a disservice to your unique journey and that short-term discomfort can lead to long-term rewards. Focus on where you want to be, not where you are now. For anyone in a similar season or considering this path of starting afresh – don't be afraid. Don't let the shame of what other people will say or how you will feel hinder you from going after your dreams. The rewards are extremely worth it. Starting again is not a setback; it's a step forward - don't be afraid to start again. #AnointedProblemSolver #CareerJourney #CareerChange #EY #CorporateFinance #Big4 #SuccessStory #NeverGiveUp #Motivation #StartAgain #PersonalGrowth #EmbraceChange

Recent PwC graduates in the UK are facing a tough reality: despite expectations, promotions have been delayed until January 2025 due to reduced business demand. Almost 100 consultants are affected, with some forced to wait an extra six months on the graduate scheme. Partners cited challenging market conditions and reduced demand as reasons for the delay. This decision has left many questioning the fairness of the selection process and underscores the harsh realities of corporate priorities. #PwC #GraduateScheme #CorporateReality

“If ever you decide to go into consulting, KPMG would be a great company to join”. A wise man once said this to me almost 20 years ago. Well – I’m here now and it’s been quite the journey as the image depicts. Here are 5 key takeaways 💡 that I’ve learnt along the way: 1. Fail fast. A term that you often hear used within the insuretech tech space and beyond. In the context of one’s career, failing (and failing early) can be a good thing. The consequences are sometimes less significant early on and it’s likely that you will have the time to react, dust yourself off and go again. 2. No doesn’t always mean no. It’s up to you to demonstrate why the answer should change. We drove to countless schools/colleges in 2005 begging for a chance to resit my GCSE’s and all of them said no, bar one who saw the tenacity with which I pursued a 2nd chance. In 2022, I came 2nd in a process for the role I have just commenced. Never give up. 3. Empathy vs sympathy ❤️ . The depth and severity of what I have experienced has given me the ability to empathise with others. Sympathy says “sorry to hear that”, empathy says “I feel what you feel”. There is a subtle difference – this has proved to be invaluable throughout my career. Bad stuff isn’t always so bad if you can learn how to use it positively. 4. Be resilient . Much like the UK property market, the long term trajectory is up ↗ . Your future success is determined by your response to the challenges. There may be a few bumps in the road and many reasons to quit – but hanging in there can often prove to be fruitful down the line. That being said, if something clearly isn’t working don’t prolong the inevitable. 5. Celebrate in stages. 🥂 🎊 It would have been easy to do the standard "I’m glad to announce my new job post", but it wouldn’t quite do this justice. It's been a journey. Celebrating gives you the opportunity to reflect, re-strategize and set new goals. Don’t wait until you get 'there'. Where is ‘there’? There may not turn out to be what you expected. A few shout outs. Thanks Dexter Williams for planting the seed re KPMG almost 20 years ago. It's funny how life works out. Thanks Claude Perret for developing my critical thinking as an actuary - you were the boss I needed back at DLG. Thanks Mike Joseph for the time spent under your pupillage. You literally helped me to get inside an underwriters brain and your entrepreneurship never ceases to amaze. Thanks Susan Dreksler for trusting me. To my pricing and underwriting colleagues - it would be great to connect further to understand your business needs. We've also hired Zvi Ebert and between us we have spent a significant amount of time on pricing transformations, UW workbenches, governance, best practice and so much more. Unlike the typical consultant trying to sell you a product that you don't want to buy, we understand the pricing pain points having spent all of our time in industry. Feel free to reach out if you would like a further conversation.

Deloitte promotes seven new directors in Wales

⌛Know a young person who hasn't submitted their UCAS yet? The deadline on 31 January is fast approaching but there's still time to apply to our partner, PwC's Flying Start degree programme! Students can earn and learn at the same time, while kick-starting their career. Find out more and apply here https://pwc.to/48UhwfV Don't forget to select 'Ahead Partnership' from the drop down menu. #Accounting #BusinessManagement #Technology #EarlyCareers