Helping businesses solve some of society’s biggest challenges
Sophie joined PwC in 2017 and is a Manager in our Stakeholder Assurance team. In her role she focuses on the delivery of non-financial assurance, examining metrics for clients such as diversity and inclusion, social impact and education and reach. A summer internship at PwC sparked Sophie’s interest in ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and she shares how she’s making a difference in her current role. Here’s her story…
Tell us about your career journey and role at PwC?
My journey at PwC began in 2015 when I completed a summer internship at the firm whilst at university. During this time I rotated throughout the Audit department and had the opportunity to work on a project examining the educational outcomes of a client’s products. Before this I’d never planned to work in ESG, but instantly fell in love with the work. I knew this was an area I wanted to focus on and after graduating I joined PwC’s Stakeholder Assurance team.
I’m responsible for providing assurance over non-financial information that is shared externally by companies. This may include information in their annual report, a sustainability report, or information an organisation wants to publish on their website. I specialise in the ‘S’ of ‘ESG’ and work with FTSE100 clients across a wide range of industries. Whilst I provide assurance on metrics such as social value, social impact, and inclusion and diversity, there is never a “one size fits all” approach to the work I do. The reporting clients want assurance over is always niche and bespoke to their organisation and could include things such as the amount of money they’ve spent supporting a charity, the number of people they’ve impacted through an education project, or the diversity of their workforce. Every project I work on is different and this keeps my role interesting and full of opportunities to learn. This variety is one of the many reasons I really love what I do.
What makes the Stakeholder Assurance team distinctive?
For me, working in Stakeholder Assurance makes me feel that I’m driving change. The work we focus on has never been more important and I feel that I’m helping organisations have a greater impact in society. Having a career with a clear purpose is important to me and I’m proud of the work we do. Being part of the commitment that businesses are making to solve some of society's biggest challenges also makes it a really exciting and fulfilling industry to be a part of.
The culture of the team also makes Stakeholder Assurance special. We’re a supportive team who works very closely together and you feel as though you are part of a community. We take a collaborative approach to projects we work on to find solutions together. It’s fantastic to work with passionate people with a shared ethos.
What makes PwC distinctive?
I’ve never felt held back from trying new things at PwC and have been actively encouraged to grow my skills, experiences and curiosity here. I’ve been given the autonomy to shape my own role and the responsibility to build my career into something I’m proud of. I’m trusted to manage my workload and I’ve been given the space to build my own strong relationships, both with clients and with internal teams. I’ve really enjoyed my career at PwC so far and I look forward to seeing what the future holds.
Have you been inspired by Sophie's story? Find out more about our career opportunities in ESG.
