Kristi Poteet’s Post

Part 1/2 I joined EY as a CA article assistant in 2010-11. Although it has been a long time and I don't remember most things around that time, somehow, I vividly remember the horrors of my eight-month-long stint with EY, which felt like a lifetime. I joined EY at the very young age of 19 with my teenage exuberance, excited to start my corporate career with such a reputed organization. I had no work/office experience at that point and at that impressionable stage in my life, that experience was bound to have a far-reaching impact on my life and career. On my first day, I was mocked by a senior for not being able to file documents properly and was told pompously that I had a lot to learn. I missed my evening cab that day and panicked about reaching from Gurgaon to my house in Noida. Days passed and I was exposed to the toxic work environment, considered the "big four culture", a sure-shot elevator to a successful career. Staying late was not just a practice but a mandate and frowned upon if you wanted to even leave at seven, during off-seasons. Daily travel of about 3-4 hours, added to my woes and most of my seniors had taken houses very close to the office but exercised no empathy in letting the ones who stayed far leave earlier. For those who are not familiar with the CA course, this three-year articleship is an apprenticeship where you are supposed to learn on the job and prepare for what is considered one of the most challenging examinations in the world, the CA Final. While I was expecting to be mentored or to learn technical skills from my seniors, I was working more like a peon. I would spend my days taking printouts, filing documents, ordering food for some time a team of 40, and picking up food from the ground floor. Also, I was once scolded and publicly humiliated by my boss for not doing a task well. Interestingly, this was not just my situation, but all of us interns and even our team members who have been part of this process, had a similar experience when they were interns, highlighting the systemic normalcy of toxicity. We all interns used to try, stick together, and motivate each other, finding solace in our misery. Things worsened during the audit seasons, which by the way is about 6-7 months in a year, where working 12-14 hours was a norm and even staying overnight occasionally, was normal too. I was burnt out in the first eight months of my career, under-slept, overworked just broadly exhausted with my life. I believed, this was normal and was necessary to have a successful corporate career in my field. My parents came to my rescue, and they forced me out of this, by explaining how this was not normal and I should do a normal internship and concentrate more on my studies, not burn myself out so early in my career. I feel I was lucky as I was staying with my parents, and they could see what I was going through, guided me, and could not let me continue with something unsustainable. cont. #Annasebastian #workbalance #bigfours

"I'm delighted to share that I've joined EY (Ernst & Young) as a Tax Analyst. I'm excited to be a part of the EY team and contribute my skills and knowledge to help clients navigate complex tax landscapes. I'm looking forward to working with a talented team of professionals and learning from the best in the industry. Thanks to everyone who has supported me on this journey so far. I'm eager to take on new challenges and grow my career in tax consulting! #EY #TaxAnalyst #NewChapter #CareerGrowth"

July 11th, 2024, was the day I became a Chartered Accountant—a dream I'd nurtured for years finally materialized. But as the initial celebration settled, reality hit me with a new challenge: finding the perfect job. The journey from clearing CA to securing my first role at EY was anything but straightforward, filled with hope, anxiety, and excitement. Like most fresh CAs, the first thought that crossed my mind after clearing was, "What's next?" I had spent so many years buried in books, burning the midnight oil, learning about complex tax laws, audit regulations, and accounting standards. The results day brought immense relief, but also a bit of fear of stepping into the real world. I started applying to various firms, scrolling through countless job portals, reaching out to my network, and attending interviews. Every day brought its own set of highs and lows—one day an exciting job interview, the next, a rejection. But each of these experiences taught me resilience, patience, and how to keep moving forward. And then came August 16th, 2024—a day I will never forget. I received an offer letter from EY. After years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication, I had my first professional job! The moment I saw the EY logo on my offer letter, it hit me—I had made it. Starting my career with EY, a global leader in assurance, is an honor I hold close to my heart. This badge, which I now proudly wear, represents more than just a job—it stands for years of effort, sacrifice, and learning. It symbolizes growth, both personal and professional. To those currently in the middle of their CA journey or searching for their first role post-qualification, my advice is simple: believe in yourself, trust the process, and don't get discouraged by setbacks. Every "no" is a step closer to that one "yes." The road to becoming a Chartered Accountant is not easy, but every step is worth it. I am excited to see where this new chapter with EY will lead me and to continue growing both personally and professionally. #CharteredAccountant #EY #FirstJob #Journey #Career #ProudMoment #NewBeginnings

I’m sure many of you are aware of the recent tragic incident at EY (Pune), where a 26-year-old newly qualified Chartered Accountant tragically lost her life due to immense work pressure. Sadly, this culture is far too common in the industry, especially in big CA firms, where newly qualified CAs and article trainees are often exploited by their seniors. I’ve experienced this firsthand and have also heard similar stories from my students. As long as you give your entire life to these firms, they may provide perks, but the moment you fall short of their expectations, the treatment can become harsh. My advice to all aspiring CAs: Don’t create too much hype around joining big CA firms. There is more to life than just career achievements. True success isn’t only about reaching career goals—it’s also about living a happy and fulfilling life.

❌❌❌❌📢📢 EY will fire me soon! 📢📢❌❌❌❌ Ever since I started my articleship at EY three months ago, not only this but many other intrusive thoughts 💭💭 have been revolving around my mind since then. Maybe it's common for new joiners to have self-doubts, concern about their performance and fitting in, but for me, it's been a long list. 🔹 Maybe I don't deserve this. 🔹 What if they let me go? I know it sounds foolish, but I can't control my thinking. 🔹 What if I won't be able to understand anything? 🔹 Will my colleagues judge me for asking simple/silly questions? 🔹 Feeling overwhelmed by thoughts and emotions. 🔹 Moving to a new city has been tough, but it's taking longer than my expectation to adjust. 🔹 Unable to maintain a proper schedule, resulting in late nights and guilt-ridden mornings. 🔹 Stressing about studies (Not able to start and stressing about being left behind) and Feeling anxious all the time. I may sound like I'm cribbing, but sometimes it feels like everything is too much to handle. Each day is bringing its own set of challenges, but I'm pushing myself to keep moving forward rather than stop trying. kyunki agar "Fail hona he hai toh why not fail better" by taking one step at a time (baby step). I know that the journey will be tough, but the destination will be worth it so why not enjoy the on-going journey. So no matter what life is throwing my way, I'm ready to tackle it head-on and come out stronger on the other side! 🕊🕊🕊🕊 #careerjourney #keeppushingdorward #challenges #selfimprovement #growthmindset #motivation #staystrong

100% agreed, work ethics should be applied consistently across region. It's unacceptable that foreign companies view India as a cheap labor market where they can bypass basic ethics about work culture but at the same time, they are following in their home country and on top of it, make it part of their annual reporting. It's much needed to make such commitments about employees and their work life balance a ground reality rather than merely a part of annual disclosures. The purpose here is not to defame or leave any bad remarks about any organization but rather to raise the awarness about issues that have unfortunately become a norm. #WorkEthics #EqualTreatment #CorporateResponsibility #GlobalStandards

Simon Ferette started his career at our ACR department! Discover his testimonial and why he feels like he made the absolute right decision to kickstart his career at EY! Are you ready to start your career in the Accounting, Compliance and Reporting Department? Check out the open vacancies on our website: www.eycareers.be and apply today! #EYBelgiumCareers #careersatEY #EYBelgium #EY #AccountingComplianceReporting

📢 Beyond the Balance Sheet: Why Tax is the Perfect Launchpad for Your Career at KPMG Who’s this for? If you’re a Graduate or Undergraduate curious about a career in Tax—or exploring your career options—this event is tailor-made for you! 🌟 Join us for an insightful virtual event where you’ll: ✅ Discover the Tax Sector: Understand its importance in the business world and the diverse range of career opportunities it offers. ✅ Hear from Tax Professionals: Learn from KPMG's senior colleagues, Graduates, and Apprentices about their career journeys and experiences. ✅ Explore Opportunities: Dive into the exciting Graduate and Apprentice programs in the Tax space. ✅ Ask Your Questions: Get your queries answered by our panel of experts! 🗓️ When? Wednesday, 11 December, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM 📍 Where? Online! 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/e55mifEk Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see why Tax could be the perfect launchpad for your career. 👏 #KPMGWiserAcademy #Tax #GraduateJob

EY Tax Consulting Challenge ⭐ Applications for the EY Oceania Tax Consulting challenge are now open! If you are graduating between 2025 - 2027, apply today to avoid missing out on this opportunity. Finalists stand a chance to win cash prizes, an internship, and international travel. Don't miss this chance to showcase your skills and win exciting prizes! #EY #taxconsultingchallenge

Having recently reached my one-year mark at EY, I wanted to briefly to share some thoughts and key lessons I’ve learned so far: 1. Everyone’s experience in Public Accounting (PA) is unique. Due to the nature of the work, no two people in PA will have the same experience, even within the same firm. Personally, I’ve absolutely loved my first year as an auditor at EY. I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from and be mentored by an incredible team and leadership, and I’ve had the privilege of working with amazing clients. However, I know that not everyone has the same opportunities, and some may decide to leave PA sooner than others—and that’s completely okay. I think this is why it’s so important to gather different perspectives when choosing a career path, as everyone has different needs and circumstances. 2. Build strong connections with everyone around you. I didn’t fully appreciate the value of networking and group projects in college, but I’ve come to see how essential those skills are. My job is essentially a series of collaborative group projects, and building positive relationships with team members can greatly enhance both your work and future opportunities. I’m grateful to have connections with friends and classmates who have transitioned from PA to other great companies, or started out in industry, and I know I can always reach out to them when needed. 3. Always keep learning. One of the main reasons I’ve enjoyed my first year of my career is the constant opportunity to learn. I’m regularly given chances to explore new areas of accounting while building on what I already know. It can be difficult at times, especially when I don’t feel totally prepared, but I’ve been lucky to have resourceful coworkers, teammates, and leaders who encourage me to ask questions. With their support, I’ve felt my skills and value grow with each new experience. Huge shoutout to my former classmates, professors, and coworkers who’ve had a positive impact on my journey. Hope you’re all doing well and crushing it!