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What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job in the fields of accounting, auditing, consulting, and/or taxing?
People like me often search for jobs that will allow them to make a difference in the world and give their life purpose meaning, and direction. Who knows? Maybe accounting could realize that goal. #accounting #auditor #auditing #accountant #consulting #tax #taxation #consultants
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47 answers
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Grant’s Answer
Hi Mireia,
For reference, I am an auditor currently working at PwC.
While I wholeheartedly agree that the people and perks (pay, job security, benefits) of the accounting profession are a huge draw, my answer more closely echoes Michael's. The part of my job that gives me the most fulfillment is the ability to step into a business and very quickly understand the ins and outs of any company and industry. Not only does this provide challenge, which I believe is important to any job, but you will be also able to gain a solid understanding of many different businesses and industries in the very beginning of your career. I have found that the knowledge you can gain from experiences in audit can set you up very well for a career in just about any facet of a business.
I want to address another part of your question before submitting this...
If you are looking for purpose and direction or the ability to make a difference through your career, you will get out what you put in. Make sure you make the most of your future company's resources. That said, in the accounting profession, I have found that many firms put great emphasis on volunteering and giving back to society.
For reference, I am an auditor currently working at PwC.
While I wholeheartedly agree that the people and perks (pay, job security, benefits) of the accounting profession are a huge draw, my answer more closely echoes Michael's. The part of my job that gives me the most fulfillment is the ability to step into a business and very quickly understand the ins and outs of any company and industry. Not only does this provide challenge, which I believe is important to any job, but you will be also able to gain a solid understanding of many different businesses and industries in the very beginning of your career. I have found that the knowledge you can gain from experiences in audit can set you up very well for a career in just about any facet of a business.
I want to address another part of your question before submitting this...
If you are looking for purpose and direction or the ability to make a difference through your career, you will get out what you put in. Make sure you make the most of your future company's resources. That said, in the accounting profession, I have found that many firms put great emphasis on volunteering and giving back to society.
Thank you for your insight!
Mireia
Joe Haselden
Learning & Development Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers
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Joe’s Answer
For me over my nearly 25 year career, what has been most rewarding falls into two areas. 1) the people I have been able to work with and learn from. There are some amazingly smart individuals and it amazes me everyday that I hear or learn something new from someone. From the people perspective, the coaching and mentoring enviroment is some of the strongest I have ever experienced. 2) The variety of opportunities to work on different projects/clients and the ability to have different experiences and begin do develop your own career path. I started in audit and spent 14 years doing that but made a career change later on into the Learning & Development team where I have been for 13 years. In this group, I have served as a full-time faculty, a project manager, an instructional designer and am now in our Operations team overseeing the financial and talent management of the L&D team. Everyday is different which keeps me engaged and motivated.
Your insight is much appreciated, Thank you!
Mireia
Peter Hobson
Director and Thought Leader, business solutions enabled by SAP technologies
1
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Peter’s Answer
Few things are more rewarding than a team member taking a step forward, accomplishing a goal or earning a promotion, especially when you work with them directly on a project or as their mentor. This is by far the best part of my job.
Thank you so much for your insight!
Mireia
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Michael’s Answer
I think these career choices are very foundational in nature because you can become acutely aware of what a company is doing and then provide suggestions and advice as to how to improve the company. Some may see an accountant as someone that just merely keeps track of the books and records, and pays the bills. Alternatively, accountants can be so close to what's occurring in the company that they can offer suggestions to executive management for ways to save money, products that are not all that profitable and should be terminated, strategic advice on geographic regions to pursue, etc. Separately, all of these jobs generally result in a good amount of analysis and problem solving. This makes work fun.
I appreciate your insight!
Mireia
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Alexandra’s Answer
As an accountant who specialized in cost management, I believe my job is key to save jobs. Part of my job is to assess if we will be on budget at the end of the year and to see how to make cost savings. I believe that forecasting the future costs adequately and accurately means that the business may not need to make people redundant and may even at times be able to hire new employees.
We are supporting the business and helping them to make sound business decisions. I can show them where they are not efficient and how they can manage their funds better. Also, I help to assess if a project or a product is financially viable and profitable, which can save a lot of money, time and resources.
Finance is at the core of everything. Without funding, you cannot help others or improve the current situation. And a good cost management or accounting work will enable your company to do much more with their money that they would do without sound advice.
We are supporting the business and helping them to make sound business decisions. I can show them where they are not efficient and how they can manage their funds better. Also, I help to assess if a project or a product is financially viable and profitable, which can save a lot of money, time and resources.
Finance is at the core of everything. Without funding, you cannot help others or improve the current situation. And a good cost management or accounting work will enable your company to do much more with their money that they would do without sound advice.
Your insight is much appreciated!
Mireia
Updated
Josephine’s Answer
Hi Mireira,
Having worked in the public accounting firm and as an internal auditor of a private organization, these are my most fulfilling moments:
- when clients thanked us for helping them to improve on their process
- when we see a difference in their behavior as a result of feedback we give them from audit.
- when we are able to see meaningful insights through analytics or automation to tie the narrative of audit
- when clients solicit our inputs after the audit due to our expertise
Having worked in the public accounting firm and as an internal auditor of a private organization, these are my most fulfilling moments:
- when clients thanked us for helping them to improve on their process
- when we see a difference in their behavior as a result of feedback we give them from audit.
- when we are able to see meaningful insights through analytics or automation to tie the narrative of audit
- when clients solicit our inputs after the audit due to our expertise
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Amra’s Answer
People generally do not like being audited, and just want to see the end of the audit, and auditors gone. But when your auditee thanks you genuinely for helping them improve their process, address the risk or resolve a problem, that is when I know I am doing my job well. Hope this helps!
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Mark’s Answer
The most fulfilling part of my job is engagement. I get to engage with clients to try to solve their problems and offer a fulfilling, rewarding experience to them. I get to engage with staff, to assist them in achieving their career goals, address their concerns and challenges, celebrate achievements, and support them inside and outside of work. My engagement with both my clients and team members helps foster my skills and continued development, and ultimately makes my job more rewarding!
Mark recommends the following next steps:
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Vic’s Answer
I think the most fulfilling aspect of my job (consulting) is that I get to learn so much in such a short amount of time. Each new project is a completely new "course" you could call it. You are expected to learn about the industry and project subject area you are working on and advise on it. This is stressful of course but learning to me is something that keeps me going. When I no longer learn things from this job - thats when Ill quit.
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Abbey’s Answer
Although I am an intern and have not been in the field of accounting very long, the most fulfilling part of my job is working alongside my teammates and collaborating to assist the client. It is enjoyable to work closely to people with the same interests and end goal as you to instruct the client on business decisions and ultimately verify the accuracy of the entity's financial statements. Furthermore, working long hours can be exhausting but you develop friendships with your teammates beyond work which makes the long hours worthwhile.
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Danielle’s Answer
Hi Mireia,
This is a very insightful question. For me personally, the most fulfilling part of my job as a manager at PwC is working with my teams, coaching them and seeing the growth of the individuals. For me, it really is about the people. What is most important to you? If you can answer this, I am sure you will be able to find the right job to help you feel fulfilled.
Best wishes on your journey!
This is a very insightful question. For me personally, the most fulfilling part of my job as a manager at PwC is working with my teams, coaching them and seeing the growth of the individuals. For me, it really is about the people. What is most important to you? If you can answer this, I am sure you will be able to find the right job to help you feel fulfilled.
Best wishes on your journey!
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Analise’s Answer
I am in management consulting and I would say the most fulfilling part of my job is the impact that I am able to have on the companies that I help! Being able to meaningfully contribute to the success of companies with powerful missions makes me feel like I am able to have a lasting impact in my work!
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Lauren’s Answer
I love this question and that you're thinking about this, because your job should be fulfilling! For me it is definitely the people within my office...I know everyone and it is a great sense of community. That easily translates into the work force and managing our team dynamic working together as well, because you have those solid relationships.
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Simeon’s Answer
The most fulfilling parts of my job are some of the technical skills that I pick up on my job. Also, it's nice to get to see new parts of the city and learn about different types of businesses. Plus, the people at the of the company are pretty passionate about making the world a better place and use the firm's reach and resources to help. It does a lot for company morale.
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Whitney’s Answer
Hello!
The most fulfilling part of my job is working with my team. I have always enjoyed working in a team dynamic and that we are all working towards one goal.
The most fulfilling part of my job is working with my team. I have always enjoyed working in a team dynamic and that we are all working towards one goal.
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Saania’s Answer
Hi Mireia,
Great question! I think the most fulfilling aspect of my job is getting to meet different people and being able to work together as a team and cover for each others strengths and weaknesses. In my field, we often form teams to work on a certain client, and you never feel alone during that particular job. If you are stuck on one thing it is likely that another person on your team has the answer. Being an auditor has taught me how to work with my peers better and allowed me to learn how I prefer to help others and be helped by others.
Great question! I think the most fulfilling aspect of my job is getting to meet different people and being able to work together as a team and cover for each others strengths and weaknesses. In my field, we often form teams to work on a certain client, and you never feel alone during that particular job. If you are stuck on one thing it is likely that another person on your team has the answer. Being an auditor has taught me how to work with my peers better and allowed me to learn how I prefer to help others and be helped by others.
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