Caoimhe Cleere, Assurance Associate, PwC

What is your name, job title and employer?

My name is Caoimhe Cleere and I work in the assurance practice in PwC. I'm a first-year associate in the banking, insurance and aviation finance sector

What are the main tasks you do in your job in a normal week?

On a day to day basis we're dealing with clients, we’re generally at a client site, we're helping them plan and review their financial statements, test all their financial statements and we're always working as part of a team so if it's your first year you generally won't know that much but there's always seniors there to help you and they coach you along the way.

How did you get into your job?

I studied business in DCU. I actually did an internship or a co-op placement for nine months, it was part of my course in college and I'd really recommend this to anyone as it really gives you a good insight into the company if you do or don't want to work for it after but I actually came back afterwards and that definitely makes you feel way more comfortable. You know the people you're going back into you know the layout of the building, even just small things but it's definitely so helpful coming back in and it makes your final year easier as well. When I left college, I had already decided that I was going to go back to PwC just generally because I wanted the accounting qualifications. Everyone who's been there before has been in your shoes they've started from day one like you so they're all very helpful, they make you feel very comfortable you can ask them as many questions as want and they'll have the answer for you. Everyone's so friendly

What skills do you need to be successful in your role?

Definitely communication because as I said, when you go into PwC originally you don't know that much so once you're able to ask questions and you're able to communicate well with people it's definitely very important. Being organized is definitely very important because there are really tight deadlines you have do overtime at different points so also to be hardworking as well is crucial.

What do you love about your job?

I think my favourite thing about working at PwC is definitely the people. Everyone's so friendly so helpful and then also the social aspect. The social life is really good in PwC, every Wednesday I do tag rugby with my department, they have different 5k run events that they sponsor, there's also loads of nights out and it's a really friendly working environment.

What advice would you give to a college student?

A piece of advice I'd give my younger self going thtough college is join more societies and get more involved. That's definitely a good way to get to know people in organisations, to network and to get to know people within the industry that you want to go into.