Read more about why the profession of accountant is so exciting in the interview with Petya Shahlarska

How did it all start?

I was interested in KPMG long before I decided to look for a new job. I first wanted to gain experience in the field of Accounting and to improve my technical and soft skills.  I wanted to make sure that I was prepared for the interview and for the job itself. When I was ready for it the offer just came.

Starting your career here is a good opportunity for a young person or a graduate. There is a lot of training, both formal and on the job. We also have trainees in our teams – that is a good way to see what our company and team look like from the inside and decide whether it is a match for you or not.

How did you get to where you are?

My success is a team effort! From my side, I invested a lot of hard work and dedication while my senior colleagues supported me on every step. I was given the chance to participate fully in the processes and become acquainted with the specifics of the accounting profession, even though I was still a junior in the beginning. I had the chance to work with professionals and learn from their experience.

It is important for me to say that growing professionally came together with developing as a person. Team work, kind behavior even in stressful situations and support from your colleagues – this is something I was taught here as well.

What energizes you at work?

This is the opportunity to work with different multinational clients with their specific businesses. Also getting familiar with the business environment of the clients and their industry specific accounting needs. I get to work with different accounting software and improve my technical skills

So no two days are the same – as I have a different case and that is invaluable.

Helping my clients and seeing their gratitude toward my efforts and work – that is the ultimate energizer!

What is the most exciting moment in your career in KPMG ?

That is an easy question! This is when I got the promotion from Junior to Senior. This was like a quality change in what I did and what was expected of me. I had worked hard and with dedication and when the promotion came I realized that if you love what you do then the most rewarding moment of your career will be self-improvement. KPMG gave me the opportunity to develop as a professional, I have been in projects where I was involved in different processes. Besides the daily tasks that I have as an accountant, I have also been part of a team preparing specific group reporting packages, and I was also part of the implementation team of a new ERP system for one of my main clients. I take part in internal projects, specific requests by the clients, preparation of templates and files for optimizing the processes and increasing the efficiency in the day to day work for my currently assigned projects.

How do you make your work-life balance ?

I am really good at organizing my personal life and coordinating it with my working tasks. That helps me achieve a good work-life balance.

Of course, as most people, I like to spend time with my friends, grab a warm cup of coffee and take a walk in the park or travel and explore new places, I am not any different.

At KPMG, we have the opportunity for flexible working time and home office so that also helps in keeping the balance.

What are the three things that describe you as a professional?

• Good planning,
• Attention to details,
• Open to learn new things;

What does your favorite Sunday morning look like?

Sundays are the time for friends, warm cups of coffee and walks in the park.

Three words that describe your working day

• Energetic
• Rewarding
• Challenging
• Productive
• Prioritizing

Ok, that makes five 😊