From my first day at BDO I remember clearly walking in on the escalator for the graduate induction and being nervous to not know anyone. Within a few minutes, another graduate approached me to say hello and we quickly became friends. Since then, the transition into the workforce from university has been as smooth as possible and that is largely due to the support and positive culture from BDO and the graduate program specifically. The interview process felt much less daunting than I have previously experienced and genuinely just felt like having a conversation with team members who wanted to get to know you.
I think what took me the most by surprise when joining BDO is the level of responsibility and autonomy I was given as a graduate. From my first week, I was attending client meetings and engaging in conversations with stakeholders. From the moment I started, I felt like my opinion was considered and I was a valuable member of the team.
What I enjoy most about working in CFO advisory is the variety of work. In one day, I could be working on three or four different jobs with various team members, which makes the day interesting and allows me to learn so much more. The variety of engagements across sectors and companies also brings new challenges and lessons, which is so important as a graduate.
While the work is varied, the thing that makes the biggest difference is the way the team operates. As my team has strengthened how we work over the past year, I see the BDO value of ONE come to life every day. Everyone comes together to support each other both professionally and personally. Being part of a team that focuses on lifting one another up and maintaining positive energy makes each day genuinely enjoyable and motivates us all to bring our best.
BDO's culture is definitely very positive for someone coming into the workplace early in their career. The graduate program is very social and focused on learning and development with lots of workshops throughout the year. There are countless opportunities to connect across the company through sporting teams, social events and networking. BDO has an excellent company culture which is very people oriented. Within my team, my managers and Partners have regular coffee catch ups with everyone which creates a great atmosphere and allows you to feel comfortable being yourself in a professional environment.
A big part of the positive experience I have had at BDO is due to the support I receive from leaders and managers. My manager is hands-on with my learning, genuinely invested in my development, and focused on the bigger picture - not just within the firm, but my career more broadly. Our fortnightly breakfast and coffee check-ins allow me to talk through any challenges I may be facing, any project-specific questions I might have, and we also just have a general chat about my wellbeing and how I am travelling.
BDO also supports my personal aspirations and career goals through a structured development plan. After each engagement, we can request feedback to better understand what we did well and what we can improve on. This doesn’t just support my career but actively helps me shape it. The plan also includes bi-annual career conversations where my manager and I review my short and long-term goals, and discuss anything that might help me progress. On top of that, BDO is financially contributing to my Chartered Accountants qualification, which will be a significant milestone in my career.
Coming in as a graduate, you are naturally going to feel out of your depth at times, when you’re surrounded by individuals with a wealth of experiences. Working at BDO I always feel like I am an equal member of the team. I feel comfortable to ask questions and voice my perspective. This has been instrumental in my learning and career development and makes me feel like the work I am doing is important and personally rewarding.