#AuditorProud Day 2025

Every colleague joins with a different level of skill and knowledge. I began my journey at Forvis Mazars while still working towards my bachelor's degree, with no prior experience in audit. From day one, my colleagues took the time to guide me through new tasks, acknowledged I was a beginner, and gave me the space to learn and grow. Forvis Mazars ensures that both colleagues and clients recognise it as an organisation focused on learning and development, which makes the environment not only more effective for growth, but also more enjoyable.

Even highly experienced colleagues continue learning every day. Auditors must adapt to new regulations and standards and stay informed about emerging industries and technologies. I genuinely feel that Forvis Mazars encourages everyone to learn and evolve. They offer training programmes, mentorship and we actively work with feedback.

I started as a working student, with my main focus on learning the fundamentals of audit at university. It was incredibly helpful to apply what I learned in class directly to my work, and vice versa. I’m currently pursuing a post-master’s programme to become a registered accountant (RA), and Forvis Mazars has been actively supporting me in finding a flexible and suitable schedule that allows me to balance my work, studies, and personal life.

Since joining, I’ve never felt any pressure to know everything. My colleagues are always available to help me learn and grow. I’ve never felt hesitant to ask questions about my work or education. They actively support my understanding of the tasks I need to perform. Sometimes, their commitment to helping me grasp the work feels like I’m getting a pop quiz — surprising, but very educational!

After nearly four years at Forvis Mazars, I’ve learned enough to write a book.But I know there’s still so much more to come — so perhaps I’ll end up writing an entire saga.

As an auditor by qualification, I always imagined my future would be spent quietly reading financial statements in an office, with minimal interaction with people. But the reality turned out to be far more interesting and inspiring.

After completing my three-year internship in audit and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa, I joined the Quality Risk department. My role involved revamping the firm’s audit methodology, and as part of that, I was introduced to technical training. That exposure sparked a passion I hadn’t even realised existed.

From there, I went on to work as a Training and Audit Manager in my next role, before choosing to specialise fully in training within the audit space. Today, I’m proud to be a Technical Training Manager in audit at Forvis Mazars.

My current role involves designing and delivering technical training programmes that support audit teams across the firm. I work closely with a range of stakeholders to ensure our training is practical, relevant, and enhances the quality of work delivered by our audit professionals. A key part of my role is also empowering others: I train audit managers to become confident and effective facilitators themselves.

This role is far from an ordinary office job. It’s dynamic, collaborative and deeply people-centric. Every day brings new conversations, shared learning and meaningful connections. Every training session is an opportunity to connect, to learn, and to grow — not just for the participants, but for me as well. I learn as I teach, and every person I meet adds something new to my journey as an auditor.

Before working in audit, I thought it was all about ticking boxes and following regulations.

Once I became part of the team, I quickly realised there’s so much more to it. Audit is not just a compliance exercise — it protects the public interest, builds trust, and helps businesses grow with confidence. I began to understand that behind every number lies a story, a decision, and a responsibility.

What surprised me most was how human this profession is. Our work affects real people: employees, clients, investors and even the wider community. Knowing that what we do helps create transparency and supports sustainable growth gives real meaning to the job.

In the end, audit is not only about regulations — it’s about trust, growth and people.

When I first considered a career in audit, my family told me it was just something you do because the law requires it— nothing more than a legal formality. So, that’s how I looked at it.

Still, I chose to join the audit profession because I believed I could learn a lot, even if it's only justification seemed to be legal compliance.

Once I started working with different companies, I quickly realised there’s far more at stake than just meeting legal requirements. For example, when auditing schools, we assess how parents’ and government funds are being spent — and whether they’re being used responsibly. In family businesses, we focus on ensuring continuity, so employees can feel secure about their future.

So yes, auditing isn’t just about ticking boxes for the law — it’s about helping the economy thrive and ensuring money is spent wisely. Now, when I speak to people considering a career in audit, I tell them it’s much more than a legal formality. I can proudly say: I am an auditor.

Before I begin, I’d like to share a few things about myself. I have an optimistic outlook and genuinely enjoy interacting with people in a professional yet friendly way.

When I first started looking for a job, I was in my second year of my master’s degree — right in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. The isolation and lack of interaction with others created a fear of entering the workforce. I expected workplace interactions to be cold and strictly business focused. Still, I decided to step out of my comfort zone, guided by the mindset: “What’s the worst that could happen?”

My expectations were quickly shattered — in the best way possible. Starting with the job interview, where, in addition to professional questions, there were numerous human-centered questions. I was very happy about this. On my first day at the office, I noticed how friendly and open my colleagues were. I was immediately welcomed into the team and during our first lunch together, most of the conversations revolved around personal plans rather than just work.

Although our profession revolves around numbers, calculations and tight deadlines, I’ve come to realise that having someone to rely on during stressful times makes all the difference. I was happy to see that the team organises events that genuinely encourage connection and help us get to know one another. One of the best examples is our regular “Happy Friday” outings, where we go to the cinema, eat out, visit arcades and more.

Workplaces, including audit teams, are social environments where trust matters. Building friendships enhances collaboration and teamwork, creates a positive and supportive atmosphere, helps reduce stress and makes challenging projects more enjoyable. Good relationships with colleagues don’t undermine professionalism — they strengthen it.

Another personal note: over the past four years, many of the people I’ve worked with have remained in my life, even though our paths have diverged. That says a lot about the kind of connections we build here.

In conclusion, Forvis Mazars reveals the human side of the profession. It’s not just about numbers — it’s about people. The friendships formed here are strong and lasting, and I can confidently say that Forvis Mazars is not just a great place to work — it’s also a great friend.