These words capture what it feels like to work here at BDO. Collaborating with new people and meeting colleagues from different areas has helped me learn about other parts of the business, build confidence, and even make new friends. I was a COVID student, so my people skills definitely took a hit during high school. Being in an environment where collaboration is encouraged and people genuinely support you has made a tremendous difference. As a student, that kind of support is so important because it forms the foundation you grow from. When you start with a strong foundation, you can really flourish, and BDO genuinely wants to see that growth.
I have also seen how strong the relationships are between our longstanding clients and my managers and partners. They communicate openly, work closely together, and have built real bonds over time. It reflects the positive, people-focused culture that exists across the firm.
Human is one BDO value I see lived out every day. People are genuinely authentic with one another regardless of how well you know them. You’re always greeted with a “hello” or a “good morning”, and it’s natural to turn around, have a quick chat, and share what you’ve been up to. Those small interactions build real relationships. Some of my closest friends now are people I met here at BDO at work, and that connection makes collaboration so much easier. When you have strong bonds with your colleagues, communication flows naturally, and working together on any task is easier.
I have also seen the One value in action, especially during busy periods in tax. Even though everyone has their own responsibilities, we’re all working toward meeting deadlines, supporting each other, and delivering quality outcomes for clients. It’s reassuring to know that when multiple deadlines hit at once, the team is there to help. That collaborative mindset really reflects what it means to operate as one team.
The flexibility and supportive environment are what surprised me the most at BDO. I grew up seeing people struggle with work–life balance, so I didn’t expect a corporate firm to place such a strong emphasis on encouraging you to pursue your interests outside of work. I love playing sport, and the flexibility here has allowed me to structure my work around training and games by having work from home days and flexible start times, allowing me to make space for the things I enjoy. It’s clear that BDO demonstrates a real commitment to helping you enjoy your work while maintaining a fulfilling life beyond it. That balance and support are a big part of why I’ve chosen to stay.
Alongside that flexibility, what has impressed me just as much is the level of responsibility and exposure I’ve been given as an undergraduate. I have had the privilege of being directly involved in client conversations, working on tax returns and gaining insight into the day‑to‑day responsibilities of consultants and senior consultants. Having that level of responsibility so early on has been incredibly valuable in helping me understand the direction of my future role and the skills I’ll need to grow into it.
What makes this hands‑on experience even more valuable is the amount of guidance and support that comes with it. There is a genuine commitment to making sure we feel confident and supported as we take on new tasks. Building on this, weekly study leave has also made a huge difference in my academic endeavours. The ability to attend classes and have additional support during exam season is invaluable when you’re balancing work and university.
These experiences have really clarified what matters most to me in my career moving forward, and it’s having a strong work–life balance. I want to continue to be able to prioritise the ability to do the things I love while also enjoying the work I do. My biggest goal is to never reach a point where I dislike coming to work, and to instead, feel supported in growing as a person and developing beyond who I was as a student. Having an environment where people genuinely want to see you improve, build your skills, and reach higher.
BDO has played a huge role in shaping that balance. The flexibility here is incredible, and a lot of that comes from the management team managers I work with. As a part-time employee, BDO makes sure I have the time I need to attend university, and they’re careful not to overload me. That level of care makes a big difference.
Coming from a retail background, stepping into my first corporate role felt daunting. I didn’t know what to expect from an office environment or how I would fit into it, and that uncertainty was overwhelming at first. Those nerves eased quickly when we were taken out for lunch with our buddies. My buddy made my comfortability his priority which made me feel far more at ease and much less overwhelmed.
One moment that really stood out was how much time people took out of their day to help me. Team members would sit with me to walk through a tax return, show me how to use the software, or send through resources they found helpful when they were graduates. I had expected to be thrown in the deep end and left to figure things out on my own, but it was the complete opposite. Even now, people still take the time to teach me, guide me, and help me whenever I ask for assistance.
That level of support and leadership made a huge impression on me, and it continues to be one of the reasons I feel so confident and supported in my role today.
Knowing that I am making a meaningful contribution is also what feels most rewarding to me. There is just something deeply motivating about hearing from managers that you’ve done a good job or that your work made a difference to the outcome. It’s not a physical reward, but it gives me a real sense of direction — a feeling that I’m on the right track. Those moments make me feel proud of the work I’ve contributed and remind me that what I do has an impact on the team and on the clients I work with. I’ve always loved helping people, and it is the small but meaningful acknowledgements that make the work feel purposeful and rewarding.
My leaders and managers have honestly been incredibly supportive throughout my time at BDO. My manager regularly checks in with me, particularly during busy periods, to understand what is on my work to-do-list and whether anything needs to be reprioritised. If my workload becomes too heavy, she will step in to help me delegate tasks or temporarily close off my workflow, so I’m not assigned additional work. It is reassuring to know that someone is actively monitoring my capacity and wellbeing.
The broader team is equally considerate. They consistently make sure I’m managing well, especially when I am at university. They’re mindful of how I’m balancing study and work, and they never want me to feel as though I’m compromising one for the other.
Another aspect of support is how approachable and personable the leaders are. Conversations aren’t limited to work, sometimes we’ll go for a coffee or have an informal chat, which makes the environment feel welcoming and human. Their openness means I feel comfortable raising anything from needing leave, feeling stressed, or simply needing guidance. They’re always willing to talk things through and work with me to find a solution.