Avinash works in capital markets & accounting advisory services within Assurance. A broad advisory role where no project is the same. "Work hard, party harder sounds appealing, but there are high expectations."
Different perspectives, different skills
‘At the start of a project, nobody knows what to expect. Whether it's a senior manager or a starter, everyone on the team feels the excitement. How will we tackle things within the budget? How will we solve problems? As a former Business Administration student, I have a completely different perspective on a client's issue compared to my colleagues in, for example, the Tax Advisory team. Not only do we bring different perspectives, but we also have completely different skills that are necessary to come up with the best solution for our clients. That's why we often collaborate with teams within Audit or Tax. We are not certified to audit financial statements, so we rely on their expertise. Thankfully, we are not isolated, but we work together. Depending on the type of project, we also utilise technology. I see it as something complementary to the work we do. Certain tools can certainly speed up processes, but they will not replace human work. PwC is a great organisation to work for, especially if you enjoy challenges and everything that is not routine. Work hard, party harder sounds appealing, but there are high expectations. Is there a competitive atmosphere? Yes, to some extent. But I don't necessarily see it as negative. It pushes you to bring out the best in yourself.’
No dress code, but diversity instead
‘When I first started, I had a completely different image of the organisation. One where the manager is always in his own office and would never be approachable. In practice, PwC is very accessible, with approachable colleagues. I will never forget the coffee moment in my second week of work. The colleague, dressed in a polo and jeans, who kindly offered me a coffee and then had a casual conversation with me, turned out to have been with PwC for fifteen years and had just become a partner a year ago. I was in shock! Hierarchy only applies on paper here. This also shows in the dress code. There isn't one. That's why I often leave my blazers at home because I feel overdressed. We do wear business attire when we go to a client, but even that depends on the atmosphere there. I have been working here for a relatively short time, but I can already say that you can truly be yourself here in terms of how you dress, your sexual orientation, and cultural background. I see that in my own team, which is very diverse and international. I find it challenging to come to a consensus with so many different people. Before I went to study, I did modelling. That is a world where clear communication is key, and you must be able to deal with many kinds of personalities. Those skills are very useful to me here.’
'Hierarchy only applies on paper here. This also shows in the dress code. There isn't one. That's why I often leave my blazers at home.'
Avinash Kamta - Capital Markets & Accounting Advisory Services