From Vancouver to London: A Big 4 Senior Manager's Global Accounting Journey

With a fascinating career path spanning three continents – from the vibrant cities of Vancouver and New York in North America, to the bustling hubs of Hong Kong and finally London – Whitney shares her invaluable insights into the global accounting landscape. Having started their career in audit and now specialising in global business transformation, our interview delved into her experiences.

Can you tell us about your career journey so far?

Absolutely. I'm currently a Senior Manager at a Big 4 Accounting Firm here in London. My focus is within the Global Business Services, specifically on transformation. I help businesses evolve what were traditionally their back-office functions – finance, accounting, and HR – from being seen as cost centres into value-driving parts of the organisation.

My journey began in Vancouver after graduation, where I trained as an accountant and worked in audit at KPMG Canada. This was followed by a role at KPMG in New York, where my accounting background was crucial in helping a client with their data analytics.

These early experiences ignited a desire to build an international career, which led me to London. Earlier in my career, I also undertook internships in Hong Kong and at Kraft Foods, which further broadened my global perspective.

Upon moving to the UK nearly ten years ago, I moved in to Finance Transformation, working within finance functions to help companies transform their operations. This has also included sustainability consulting, assisting businesses in understanding their models and adapting to an increasingly environmentally conscious world.

How is technology currently affecting the accounting profession in your experience?

Technology is having a profound impact. We're seeing automation and AI increasingly taking over tasks that were traditionally performed manually. This ranges from data processing in audit to sophisticated analytics. While this brings efficiency, it also raises important questions, such as how we ensure new graduates gain a comprehensive understanding of core accounting principles and develop critical thinking skills if technology handles many of the fundamental tasks.

The way we deliver our work is evolving rapidly, with tools like AI and Co-Pilot becoming more integrated. However, I firmly believe that strong client relationships will always be paramount and cannot be replaced by AI. On the other hand, AI also presents exciting opportunities for us to expand our service offerings and provide deeper, more insightful analysis.

What have been the most common challenges you've encountered when working internationally?

Interestingly, within a large international organization like mine, there's a strong recognition and acceptance of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and languages. This creates an environment where people are generally very open to working with colleagues for whom English might not be their first language. People are patient and willing to communicate effectively.

Speaking of communication and language, have you experienced any specific barriers related to cultural differences?

One of the first things I noticed when I moved to the UK was a difference in communication style. Coming from North America, I wasn't typically considered a particularly direct person. However, in the UK, I was perceived as being more direct than my British colleagues. It's something I'm now more aware of, especially when working with North American clients.

Another aspect, which can be both a benefit and a challenge, is the global distribution of teams. Time differences mean colleagues in India can start their day much earlier, while those in the US can work later. This allows for continuous work on projects but can be challenging for teams in locations like Australia, who often have to take calls very late in their day. However, I've found that open communication and a willingness to be flexible and learn from each other can overcome these hurdles.

Did you experience any other culture shock when you first moved to the UK? Were there any noticeable differences in the workplace?

There was definitely a minor culture shock. From a workplace perspective, in North America, my typical workday would start around 8 am. In the UK, I found that the standard workday often started later, around 9:30 am, which was a shift for me!

Outside of work, I also noticed differences. Vancouver has a very strong outdoors culture, with people often spending their weekends hiking or enjoying brunch. In the UK, particularly in London, socialising often revolves around drinks after work, which was a different way of getting to know colleagues.

What advice would you give to accounting professionals who are considering a move to the UK for their career?

I highly recommend considering a move to the UK for the new experiences and exposure to a different culture it offers, whether through a company transfer or other opportunities. I was fortunate to move within my existing company.

For those not in that situation, I'd strongly suggest networking and speaking with as many people as possible before making the move to gather advice on how to navigate the process. If you're moving to a major city like London, you're entering a place with immense opportunities. Therefore, connecting with recruiters early on is crucial to ensure you find the right job fit.

Most importantly, be open! When I first arrived in London, I didn't know many people. I was fortunate to be matched with a mentor, who played a significant role in introducing me to new connections and opportunities. When you're new to a country, embrace every chance to attend events and meet new people.

If you're moving to the UK, you'd be missing out if you didn't try to immerse yourself in the culture. It has certainly enriched my experience here.