Stockholm School of Economics in Riga Students' Magazine

November 2, 2009 – the first working day for new-hires in Ernst & Young. Nine of them started their career in Assurance Services. Seven of nine new auditors are or soon will be graduates of SSE Riga. What did they feel? Why did they choose Ernst & Young? Why audit? How do they feel today – after the busy season? Here you will find some of the answers to questions you most probably are interested in.

What is the most memorable from the recruitment process?

In the recruitment process it was visible that the company not only wants to employ smartand knowledgeable people, but also cares about people personality. As a result in Ernst &Young a lot of people are friendly and working atmosphere is nice.

It was a multi-step recruitment process which lasted more than a month. It was quite nervousperiod during the summer. What I remember is that when I finally got accepted (at the beginningof August), at the very next day I went abroad for two weeks. Completely relaxed. It was a goodremuneration for my efforts.

What do you remember about the 1st working day? 

A lot of administrative information were delivered to us. What I remember the most is the dresscode brochure which elaborately explained what should you wear at work. Quite big contrast withstudent life.It was interesting to meet the top management of the Baltic countries and listento their stories about the work in Ernst & Young. At the end of the day we had a photo session.But the biggest surprise was that 7 out of 9 new hires were SSE Rigians :)

What about the 1st working month? 

A lot of learning, as we had two courses in accounting and audit during the whole firstmonth. It even reminded me SSE. I wanted to start real working career, but we were back tolectures, practice exercises, tests, exam.

The first working month was great as we not only had training but also evening activities: ice skating,bowling, possibility to watch hockey game, movie evening and whole day there were provided tastyfood and everything was for free. Also it was nice to meet Estonian and Lithuanian colleagues.

Memories about your 1st client?

Probably my first client was the easiest one. But then it didn’t seem so. Almost everything wasnew for me. I remember that I took my accounting conspectus with me in case I do not know or forget anything. Most interesting case with client/work/project?As the clients are changing, you get to know an insight into various industries. Interestingthings happen quite often, also funny situations - sometimes you realize in the middle of theconversation with client that you do not remember how to call a certain accounting term in Latvian,as you have studied and used it only in English, but somehow at the end it is always turns out tobe ok. I was given an opportunity to go to Slovakia (my client has subsidiary in this country whichwas also audited by us). Everything was new for me (language, business environment, evenaccounting). Definitely it was the most interesting project for me this year.Compare your feelings/experience during the first working months and now!

For sure - more knowledge better time management, technical and analytical skills, experience. My first audit season is almost over. Sometimes it was ultra tough. But now I would say that it was valuable experience. As Finances in SSE. Only two times longer. In the first working month there were many new things to learn and after almost a half of year of work there is still big space for improvement. Ernst & Young is a great place to gain valuable experience while doing interesting job together with nice and enthusiastic people.

Why have you started?

Career opportunities. It is extremely comfortable to start your career in a company with clearcareer opportunities. Most of the students are ambitious, but are afraid to show that, andunconsciously are looking for a place where there will be no necessity to do the same thingfor 5 years in a row.

Experience what audit is able to offer. I believe there is no other field in finance related services that would offer such a wide range of experiences. You get deeper understanding ofmanagerial and organizational processes in the company. Not least important is that auditexperience is also valued by external clients.

What do you like about Ernst & Young?No doubt that those are people/ colleagues. Since average age at the office is 25-27 people understand what we all want from life. This mutual understanding is a very good basis for mutual trust and cooperation. I like to be under stress; this helps to motivate myself for work, and ensures that I’m committed to work, this is important for me, because if situation gets calm I might become bored or at least less concentrated.

By Ernst & Young