Audit trainee Anna McEllistrem
A coffee with Anna Ellistrem, Audit trainee
The latest installment in our interview series that celebrates our employees and the careers they are building with Crowe. 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?
Bachelor of Commerce (Global Experience)
What is it about a career in accountancy that appeals to you?
I enjoy the diversity of the role of an accountant. No two days are ever the same. The possibilities are endless in terms of where in the world you want to work or in what sector. I also enjoy working closely with people, which a career in accounting affords me a great deal of.
What does your job entail?
My job entails planning and carrying out audits for clients in a range of different sectors. I can also be responsible for a number of accounts preparation jobs. Occasionally, I work in internal audit carrying out internal audit engagements for clients.
Describe a typical day
My days can vary a lot depending on what files I’m down to work on that week and whether it is internal or external audit. Generally, my day will revolve around completing certain sections of files such as planning/risk/Equity/Trade Payables etc. I also do quite a few onsite visits with internal audit. It’s nice for a change in routine by getting out of the office and meeting clients. I’ll often liaise with the manager on the jobs I’m working on to keep them up to date with progress on each file. I do my best to complete my time sheets once a day too otherwise it can be a nightmare come Friday evening!
What three words would you use to describe your role?
Interesting
Fast-paced
Challenging
What is the most challenging thing about your job?
I think trying to manage my time as effectively as possible is the most challenging aspect. I might have to sit down and run through something with a senior or complete some ad-hoc work for a manager which is urgent, neither of which I could have planned for at the start of the day.
What do you like most about your job?
Opportunities to work on a board range of clients and working on internal and external audits.
How did you find working and studying at the same time?
Difficult to make time for everything, but a few of my friends are also trainees so this makes it a lot easier.
What is different about working at Crowe?
Crowe provides trainees with a diversified and well-rounded training experience. The fact that you’re not Pidgeon holed into a very specific area of audit but instead given responsibility for the completion of a file from beginning to end is something that really appealed to me when I first applied.
How has Crowe helped you in your career development?
Crowe has challenged me to take responsibility for my work and communicate effectively with team members both more junior and senior than I.
What are 3 words to describe Crowe?
Hard-working
Ambitious
Collaborative
Crowe’s values are Agility, Curiosity, Affinity and Clarity.
What personal values define you?
Trustworthy
Hard-working
Honest
Favourite memory from work?
Passing my CAP2 exams was a real highlight for me. Balancing work and study can be difficult, so receiving good results always make the effort and hard work worth it in the end. And to receive recognition from peers, managers and partners around the office on those days make it all the more special.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
My father once told me to always stay true to myself and never forget where I came from.
What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
Gym, chill with friends, going out for brunch
What is your guilty pleasure?
I really enjoy listening to music and if there’s a song that I hear for the first time and I really like it, I’ll listen to that song for a week straight. No shame!!
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird
What was your primary degree?
Bachelor of Commerce (Global Experience)
What is it about a career in accountancy that appeals to you?
I enjoy the diversity of the role of an accountant. No two days are ever the same. The possibilities are endless in terms of where in the world you want to work or in what sector. I also enjoy working closely with people, which a career in accounting affords me a great deal of.
What does your job entail?
My job entails planning and carrying out audits for clients in a range of different sectors. I can also be responsible for a number of accounts preparation jobs. Occasionally, I work in internal audit carrying out internal audit engagements for clients.
Describe a typical day
My days can vary a lot depending on what files I’m down to work on that week and whether it is internal or external audit. Generally, my day will revolve around completing certain sections of files such as planning/risk/Equity/Trade Payables etc. I also do quite a few onsite visits with internal audit. It’s nice for a change in routine by getting out of the office and meeting clients. I’ll often liaise with the manager on the jobs I’m working on to keep them up to date with progress on each file. I do my best to complete my time sheets once a day too otherwise it can be a nightmare come Friday evening!
What three words would you use to describe your role?
Interesting
Fast-paced
Challenging
What is the most challenging thing about your job?
I think trying to manage my time as effectively as possible is the most challenging aspect. I might have to sit down and run through something with a senior or complete some ad-hoc work for a manager which is urgent, neither of which I could have planned for at the start of the day.
What do you like most about your job?
Opportunities to work on a board range of clients and working on internal and external audits.
How did you find working and studying at the same time?
Difficult to make time for everything, but a few of my friends are also trainees so this makes it a lot easier.
What is different about working at Crowe?
Crowe provides trainees with a diversified and well-rounded training experience. The fact that you’re not Pidgeon holed into a very specific area of audit but instead given responsibility for the completion of a file from beginning to end is something that really appealed to me when I first applied.
How has Crowe helped you in your career development?
Crowe has challenged me to take responsibility for my work and communicate effectively with team members both more junior and senior than I.
What are 3 words to describe Crowe?
Hard-working
Ambitious
Collaborative
Crowe’s values are Agility, Curiosity, Affinity and Clarity.
What personal values define you?
Trustworthy
Hard-working
Honest
Favourite memory from work?
Passing my CAP2 exams was a real highlight for me. Balancing work and study can be difficult, so receiving good results always make the effort and hard work worth it in the end. And to receive recognition from peers, managers and partners around the office on those days make it all the more special.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
My father once told me to always stay true to myself and never forget where I came from.
What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
Gym, chill with friends, going out for brunch
What is your guilty pleasure?
I really enjoy listening to music and if there’s a song that I hear for the first time and I really like it, I’ll listen to that song for a week straight. No shame!!
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird