ACCG315: 2A - Deloitte (6 March, 2018)

Partner: Graeme Smith

‘Our global CEO proudly gets up and says, “It is harder to get a job at Deloitte than it is to get into Harvard”’, states Graeme Smith, a Tax Partner at Deloitte. I believe one needs to dream big and that’s why I would most like to work for Deloitte. Deloitte is renowned for being one of the “Big 4” accounting firms. Located in over 150 countries, Graeme defines their work environment as ‘the culture of diversity and inclusion’. He justifies that a collection of thoughts from diverse backgrounds engenders diverse approaches in tackling a problem. This contributes to achieve the role of accountants, which Graeme describes as ‘a business that solves other people’s problems’.

According to Deloitte Australia’s (2018) website, ‘Deloitte is proud of its “playful culture with serious intent"’. Graeme manifests this by using Jeff Weiner’s (CEO at LinkedIn) “the people I most enjoy working with” model – Dream Big, Get Shit Done, and Know How to Have Fun. He emphasises on the need to have fun and claims that ‘the only ways you are going to be able to have fun is if you’re passionate’. This validates why Deloitte is placed in the ‘top 15 of Australia’s Best Place to Work’ rankings for two consecutive years; they’re made up of like-minded people who are passionate about solving their clients’ problems, and act upon it. Each of them also has audacious goals, whether in their career or something personal, which help them to stay motivated and maintain being passionate.

I was astonished when Graeme revealed that out of six graduates Deloitte hired in Sydney, only one came through formal graduate recruitment program; ‘It’s who you know.’ But in order to effectively network there is one fundamental skill every industry partners coherently demanded. Soft skills. People with outstanding soft skills are able to demonstrate traits such as willingness, resilience, and wellness. Someone who is ‘willing to go that extra mile’ inevitably exerts enthusiasm and confidence. However, in a “daunting” corporate world, ‘you’re going to make mistakes every single day’. And what sets people apart is ‘the ability to learn from what you’ve done wrong and bounce back’. This requires considerable energy. Hence, it is essential to take care of yourself, not only physically but also mentally and spiritually. Graeme challenges us, ‘If you’re unfit, if you’re not in the right headspace, how are you going to give that 100% to your team, to your clients?’ Technical skills can be taught but the willingness to learn and grow, being resilient, and maintaining wellness can not.

It is one thing to listen, but it is redundant if you’re not taking action. So in order to apply the advices Graeme has given us, I signed up for various networking events to practice my soft skills. I was willing to ‘go that extra mile’. Talking to the industry partners from ACCG315 and the professionals at Careers Fair helped me boost my confidence, which led me to get a mentor from a seminar. Also, I had a chance to speak to Anthony at a profession session held by CPA. He recognized my passion in video editing and introduced me to a CPA Relationship Manager who wished to keep in touch. However, this did not start smoothly. My first attempt to “network” with a professional ended with no reply. But, this did not stop me. I tried to focus on the positives and continued networking, which resulted in somewhere I never expected to be. So if I had to critique myself, I am someone who is willing to learn and is resilient. One aspect I need to improve on is my physical wellness. I should be more aware of my diet and exercise more regularly.

• Deloitte Australia. (2018). About Deloitte Australia | Deloitte Australia | About, Deloitte services, culture, diversity. [online] Available at: https://www2.deloitte.com/au/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/about-deloitteaustralia.html [Accessed 8 Mar. 2018].