You’re always encouraged to be ambitious
Ally is a Manager in our Northern Audit team and is based in Edinburgh. Currently on secondment to our ARQ (Audit Risk and Quality) team, Ally gives us an insight into the global and internal mobility opportunities she’s taken advantage of whilst at PwC and the strong relationships she’s built. Here’s her story….
Tell us about your journey at PwC?
I am originally from Canada and joined PwC Canada in September 2016. What followed was a hectic few years as I was studying and working at the same time, but I learnt so much and really loved my time there. I worked on a variety of commercial large audits, including clients from the manufacturing, retail and hospitality industries.
In September 2019, the next stage of my PwC journey took me to Scotland, where I joined the Northern Assurance team in Edinburgh. In my third year of university I did a semester abroad and lived in Edinburgh - I fell in love with the city and knew that I wanted to return at some point. When I told my engagement leader in Canada my plans, he was so supportive, which made such a huge decision a lot easier to go for.
More recently, I’ve taken on a new challenge and I am currently on secondment to the ARQ team. Again my team supported and encouraged me during this process. I’m excited to try something different and to bring back my new knowledge and experience to Northern Audit once my secondment is over.
How would you describe your career at PwC?
I would describe my career as varied! I’ve learnt so much during my time at PwC and feel so lucky that I have been nothing but supported to move countries and move departments. What I really like is at the core everything is still the same. No matter whether you are in the UK or Canada, the values and the culture of PwC remain consistent.
Is there anything that has surprised you about PwC?
I didn’t expect how encouraged I would be from day one to go for anything I wanted to achieve. I never felt like I was restricted by my job grade - ambition doesn’t get suppressed here and you won’t be told to stay in your lane. I was told to speak up about anything I wanted to try.
What’s been a highlight of your career so far?
The first highlight for me is my promotion to manager. Although this happened fairly recently I do still look back on this and feel really proud. After making the move to Edinburgh, I had to make new relationships and build trust again and it made me feel extra proud when I achieved this.
A more general highlight is all the close knit and supportive relationships I have made since being at PwC. In audit there are times when there is a lot of pressure and the hours can be long, but when I think back to these times I just remember the laughter. Everyone is motivating, supports each other and wants each other to succeed.
What’s been a challenging time in your career?
I underestimated how tough the transition to Scotland was going to be and how long it would take me to settle in. What was fantastic was how many people in Northern Audit were in the same position as me. Northern Audit is so diverse - there’s so many different people from different countries and cultures and this was a great support system for me. The friendships I made in Northern Audit got me through the pandemic - you truly do become friends with your team.
What piece of career advice would you give to your younger self?
The best piece of advice I would give to myself is to learn how to adapt and be flexible. I definitely like to plan ahead and whilst I learnt to an extent it’s helpful to do, you can’t control everything and have to adjust to new situations.
I would also tell myself to focus on being a positive and steady influence. I’ve learnt that in high pressure and busy situations, one person’s mood and attitude can have a huge impact on others around you. I want others to describe me as calm and positive so I put my focus into being that person.
Do you have any passions or interests outside of the workplace?
I moved to Edinburgh 6 months before the pandemic began so now that everything is open again, exploring Scotland and the UK has resumed! I also enjoy spending time with my friends and trying out the many restaurants and bars that the city has to offer. On top of that I like to read and I regularly go to the spin studio.
