Merryl's journey into the world of accounting
Merryl's journey into the world of accounting
Merryl Pillay
Second-year Audit Trainee
Mazars in South Africa
What attracted you to a position in accounting?
I have always had a curious mind and been interested in the mechanics of things, getting into the details on the ‘whys’ and the ‘ifs,’ which ties in well with accounting because it’s based on logic. In accounting, you are constantly on the frontline of problem-solving and that keeps things interesting and diverse.
I had always appreciated the intricacies of finance and commerce, but only learnt about the profession around the time I was finishing up high school. I knew it would be a challenging career path, however I quite like a challenge and decided to take the chance.
What is it like being a trainee at Mazars?
Being a trainee at Mazars allows you to connect and acquaint yourself with individuals from different walks of life. You are exposed to multiple industries and clients, which allows you to gain fresh perspectives and cultivate new approaches every time you work with someone new. We have a constant flow of new training sessions that are engaging and well thought out, allowing us to stay on top of ever-changing standards.
Equally, we work in an environment where everyone is invited to share their point of view, and it is taken into consideration no matter your position. Colleagues and mentors are willing to listen and adapt accordingly.
What is the most valuable thing you have learnt so far?
One of the most amazing things I have come to know so far is myself and what I am capable of. Working in audit allows you to push and challenge yourself in different capacities and the result of each is a substantial learning and growth experience. In the past two years, I have evolved in both a professional and personal capacity.
What do you enjoy most about your position?
The diverse nature of the clients at Mazars has allowed us to work across different industries and learn the details that drive them, and I enjoy being granted the chance to see this. Also working in close capacity with many other young professionals allows me to nurture long-lasting friendships that I have built on the audit floor and beyond. Every day is a learning experience, and each person I have had the opportunity to work with has taught me many skills that I will be able to leverage throughout my career. The experience at Mazars is very personalised: you are able to engage with partners and many senior leaders on a daily basis, and their doors are always open to assist.
What are some challenges you face?
Some of the challenges I face –and that any trainee accountant in audit can vouch for, is the day-to-day pressures of audit, as well as finding the perfect work-life balance. However, the more I go through the motions, the more I learn how to handle stressful situations, as well as how to manage my own stressors. Mazars offers regular sessions to assist us with this, on top of any other issues we communicate with them regarding the challenges we might face. They listen and actively take our inputs into consideration.
What are the next steps for you?
Firstly, I plan to complete my Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and get it signed off in the next year or so. After, I’d like to go and work abroad for a while.
Any advice for someone applying for a trainee position at Mazars?
At Mazars, an experience of a lifetime awaits. You will cultivate friendships and professional relationships that you will carry for a lifetime. Every day will allow you to evolve and learn skills in every aspect of your life.