Max started his journey at BDO in 2024 as a Graduate Auditor and is now a full time Auditor in the Audit & Assurance team at BDO. Max is dedicated to providing thorough and insightful audit services, ensuring clients receive accurate and reliable financial information. Discover more about Max’s experience below.
Tell us about your experience joining BDO
BDO made my transition from student to full-time employee seamless by offering a comprehensive three-week induction program. This included audit seminars from various members of the audit team, providing in-depth insights into how audit works, as well as firm-wide sessions with all the graduates to foster a sense of community. To help us build connections, BDO also held multiple social events, ensuring that we could meet new colleagues and integrate smoothly into the firm.
Additionally, the integration into audit was gradual, as I had the chance to shadow a team member a couple of times during the induction period and was then paired with a senior auditor buddy for six weeks, who guided me and helped me learn the ropes and feel comfortable in my new role.
What was your biggest surprise coming to BDO?
One of the biggest surprises joining BDO was how incredibly kind and approachable upper management is. They genuinely care about helping you develop and grow within the company. They don’t just assign tasks, they take the time to offer advice, share their experiences, and provide guidance whenever needed. They're always open to talking and listening, making it easy to approach them with questions or concerns.
Before starting, I had this typical idea of what upper management might be like, mostly influenced by TV shows, where they’re portrayed as strict, grumpy, and distant. At BDO they’re the complete opposite. They’re supportive, positive, and happy to see their team succeed. This level of openness and encouragement creates such a welcoming environment, especially for new employees.
This supportive culture has really made me want to stay as it's an environment where I feel comfortable and happy to come to work every single day.
What have you enjoyed about working in your team? What didn’t you expect?
What I’ve really enjoyed about working in audit is how people driven the whole process is. It’s not just about crunching numbers and checking documents, it’s about interacting with a wide variety of people. You’re constantly meeting and communicating with different clients, which keeps the work different and engaging.
Additionally, the team environment in audit is equally people focused. There’s a strong sense of camaraderie, and everyone is always willing to lend a hand to help each other out. Whether it’s offering guidance or pitching in to meet a deadline, teamwork is at the heart of what we do. It's not about working in isolation it's about collaborating to get the job done efficiently and effectively. On top of that, the team is incredibly supportive, happy, and inclusive. Everyone brings a positive energy to the table, and there’s a genuine sense of belonging. This combination of a people-oriented job and a collaborative, welcoming team makes audit a fun job.
What I didn’t expect was how happy and upbeat everyone is, no matter how challenging the job can get. Audit work can sometimes be intense and demanding, with tight deadlines and long hours. Yet, despite the stress that comes with the job, the team maintains a consistently positive attitude.
Where have you experienced the BDO values in the workplace?
I truly experienced the value of people at BDO from the moment I joined. Right from the start, everyone was incredibly welcoming and eager to help me learn, creating an environment where I felt supported and encouraged. The team’s inclusivity extended not just to me, but to all the new graduates, making it clear that we were all valued and important parts of the team. This sense of inclusiveness made coming to work every day an enjoyable and comfortable experience. The collaborative atmosphere, combined with the genuine willingness of my colleagues to share their knowledge and support my growth, made my transition into the company feel seamless and positive.
How would you describe the culture at BDO?
At BDO the culture is inclusive, social and is a place that really values hard work.
What makes working at BDO rewarding for you?
What makes working at BDO truly rewarding is the sense of being seen and appreciated. Managers recognise and value hard work and a positive attitude, regularly expressing their gratitude for team members' efforts. In addition, the environment is incredibly supportive, fostering continuous learning, and managers provide constructive feedback that helps you grow and improve in your role.
How have you been supported by leaders and managers at BDO?
At BDO, managers make it clear that no question is ever considered stupid, especially during your first year, which creates a supportive space for learning and growth. They are always open to offering positive, constructive feedback, providing valuable insights that help you develop your skills and succeed in the future.
How does BDO support you to achieve your personal aspirations and career goals?
BDO strongly supports my personal and professional aspirations, offering financial assistance by subsidising the fees for the Chartered Accountants course, as well as providing dedicated study days to help me succeed. They also foster a collaborative learning environment, where colleagues work through the course together, encouraging growth as a team. Additionally, BDO supports career development by offering continuous, constructive feedback on how to improve and providing new tasks with each project, ensuring that I constantly expand my knowledge and skills.