#GradStories Andrew McAteer, Assurance Associate, PwC

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

As an assurance associate we do auditing. We take the financial statements of the companies we work with and try to make sure that the numbers we're looking at are correct. On a day to day basis we're interacting with clients to get the information we need and testing that information to make sure it's all right.

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

Teamwork is key. You're working in teams constantly, having to constantly talk to them and make sure everything is going well. It's important to be able to ask for help as a graduate and be able to ask questions to clients.

Organisation and time management is also important. Everything has a deadline and you have both your team and your clients relying on you.

What do you love about your job?

The people, You're working with your peers, they're all like minded and everyone is going the same route. Even the management has been through the trenches before.

What did you do as a student that helps you in your career in this sector?

I would advise students to put themselves forward. In this job you have to talk to people, ask them questions and step out of your comfort zone. Take opportunities to present and put yourself out there.

What was your career break?

I did commerce in UCD and through that I got into the internship programme. I did nine months in my third year of college as an internship with PwC and then I got the offer to return. It was great to know I had a job waiting for me at the end of my studies.