You never feel alone at PwC
Based in our Manchester office, Gina joined us as a school leaver and is now a Senior Manager in our Northern Audit team. Here’s her story....
After leaving school I knew that university wasn’t the right path for me, but I was certain that I wanted to begin a career in accountancy. I joined PwC in 2010 as a school leaver on what was then called the ‘Headstart’ programme. After successfully joining, I was part of the Pensions Assurances team. I’ve remained in Audit throughout my whole career but have enjoyed lots of variety, including moving from Pensions to Financial Services and now sitting in Core Audit.
My role is extremely varied and there isn’t a typical working day I could describe! I spend a lot of my day working with my colleagues and leading audit engagement teams, as well as working closely with clients, keeping them up to speed on the audit process and problem solving. During my career I have had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of businesses ranging from small privately owned businesses to large listed clients.
I couldn’t ask for a better team and the best thing about working at PwC is undoubtedly the people. There is a work together culture here - you never feel like you are on your own at PwC. I always feel supported and when times get tough or work pressures can be demanding, your team is right there beside you. A piece of career advice that I always follow is to be completely yourself. The culture at PwC supports this and encourages you to be your authentic self at work. We like to keep connected as an audit team and there’s lots of opportunities for you to get to know people - whether that is away days, lunches or even our audit sports day! I have made lifelong friendships working here which is testament to how valued relationships really are.
Alongside my role as an Audit Senior Manager, I also support the North West leadership team to carry out the firm’s strategy. As a Senior Manager in Audit, you are given the opportunity to apply to be a ‘Group Leader’. In this role you are responsible for a group in Northern Audit made up of people from school leavers to partners. I am responsible for driving the initiatives of the firm and leadership team amongst this group. For example, when The Deal was announced to the firm. I worked with my group to ensure people understood what this meant for them, how to get comfortable with a hybrid working approach and helping if anyone had queries or needed any additional support. I love having this role.
A key highlight of my career has been achieving my promotions and working up from school leaver to now Senior Manager. Every promotion hurdle is challenging and you get a real sense of achievement when you achieve this. I am proud of what I have achieved at PwC.
Earlier this year, we welcomed our daughter Sophia, who is now 9 months old. Since returning to work, I now work a 4 day week. PwC have been extremely supportive in making the transition into a working mum as smooth and stress-free as possible for me. The introduction of The Deal has given me extra flexibility since returning too. My working day typically starts earlier and finishes earlier, meaning I can make time for Sophia when she returns from nursery. It is important that I can work my day around being a mum and this flexibility has been invaluable.
Outside of work, being a new mum takes up a lot of my time. Our daughter is learning to crawl so that is keeping us busy and entertained. I’ve also been playing netball since I was at high school and used to captain our PwC netball team. Regardless of what hobbies you have, there is something for everyone at PwC - sports clubs, choir, book club - it is never ending what you could get involved in.
Discover where your skills could take you - explore opportunities in Audit today.
