From student to consultant - Tom's career at BDO
From student to consultant - Tom's career at BDO
How did you find your student experience joining BDO?
I first joined BDO as a Cadet (undergraduate) and have since progressed from there into my role as a Consultant. Being able to start my professional career by working alongside my studies was a good way to implement the skills I was learning at university.
Once I started working full-time in a Graduate role, my team supported me in making the jump to five days a week and consistently working on a project’s full lifespan.
What was your biggest surprise coming to BDO and what makes you stay?
The biggest surprise is that the Partners and Managers are very approachable and happy to invest time in your learning and development. This ability to continuously develop my skills keeps me excited about working at BDO.
What have you enjoyed about your service line and what didn’t you expect?
As part of the Tax team I have enjoyed working alongside people of a similar age and experience level to myself. We have fostered a good culture of enjoyment at the office and joined in on extracurricular activities with the group, including participating in the Taxmanian Devils (the office netball/futsal team) and the office run club.
Can you think of an example where you have experienced one/or any of the BDO values in the workplace? (Identify which value & how).
Heart - A partner at BDO encouraged me to follow my interests and switch teams within Tax and move into the Indirect Tax team. This was a very encouraging conversation that gave me a lot of comfort in making the change from Transfer Pricing.
How would you describe BDO’s culture?
I would describe the culture at BDO as being very inclusive and supportive.
This is demonstrated by anyone in the firm being welcome to play in the Taxmanian Devils netball/futsal team, even if they don’t work in Tax.
Additionally, graduates are encouraged to mingle with others in different service lines through graduate events, including a Melbourne City FC game, a pub trivia night, and barefoot bowling. These were extremely fun nights that let me meet and develop professional relationships with other graduates at the firm.
What makes working at BDO rewarding for you?
The range of work available and the responsibility given are extremely rewarding. This means I can continuously learn new skills and be involved in a client-facing role on these jobs.
How have you been supported by leaders/managers in the firm?
The leaders and managers at the firm have been incredibly supportive since I joined BDO. They have taken the time to check in with me, explain concepts that are foreign, and have conversations about my future career.
Additionally, this has included encouraging and supporting me through my post-graduate study to gain the required working time needed for my admission to the legal profession.
Our upcoming campaign is centred around 'Be More at BDO'. Can you tell us how joining BDO has supported you to achieve your personal aspirations and/or career goals?
On a professional level, BDO has supported me in gaining specialised qualifications (PLT and CA), through study leave and mentoring.
On a personal level, BDO has been supportive of me continuing my sporting ventures outside of work, including getting to cricket training on Thursday nights in summer.