We chat to Mairead as part of our ongoing series celebrating our employees and the careers they are building with Crowe. Throughout the series we talk to staff about what it is like to work with our firm. They outline the career opportunities that Crowe offers, our unique firm culture and the CSR and social programmes that staff run.
What was your primary degree?
Arts – History and Economics
What is it about a career in accountancy that appeals to you?
What I found appealing about accountancy is that it offers a stable and growing career path, which is needed in all walks of life. It is a career that you can take all over the world and allows you to work wherever you see fit.
There are endless opportunities and a wide variety of areas in which you can focus you career. Being an accountant is not just working with numbers it’s so much more.
What does your job entail?
As audit supervisor, my role involves delivering high-quality assignments across a broad range of sectors. I help to ensure that audit assignments are adequately planned and junior members of the team understand what is required. I work on preparing financial statements while building a relationship with client staff to facilitate and support the audit process during fieldwork.
Describe a typical day
My day for the most part consists of external audits which are either office or site-based and overseeing junior team members as required to ensure that on the job training needs are met.
What three words would you use to describe your role?
People leadership, practice management and business development.
What is the most challenging thing about your job?
Time balance – especially during busy session. I need to ensure each job is completed within the allocated timescale in order to be ready to commence work on the next job assignment.
What do you like most about your job?
Having the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients across multiple sectors and getting to interact with wide variety of clients during site visits.
What is different about working at Crowe?
Crowe is a much larger firm with various departments. I’m currently working in internal audit, which is something I have never done before and an area I may not have had the opportunity to experience if it had not been for my job in Crowe.
How has Crowe helped you in your career development?
I started as a senior with two exams left to complete. I was given the study leave necessary to pass my exams and since qualifying I have been promoted to a supervisor role.
What are 3 words to describe Crowe?
Professional, hardworking and reliable.
Crowe’s values are Agility, Curiosity, Affinity and Clarity.
What personal values define you?
Cheerful, Friendly and Optimistic.
Favourite memory from work?
The day I qualified! Knowing I had no more exams in my future (hopefully) was a huge sense of relief.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
If your sensitive in this game you won’t survive – previous partner.
What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
Socialising with friends.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Reality TV – Love island etc.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
An early bird because I cannot be late for work.