What does The New Equation mean to you personally?
The New Equation for me is all about collaboration and bringing people together. With The New Equation we are engaging in more cross competence projects, and really pooling the knowledge and skills we have across PwC to deliver the most value to our clients.
“I work in the Risk Consulting team for Financial Services, which means I help major Dutch and international financial institutions with enhancing, digitizing, and transforming their risk management frameworks and functions.”
How did you end up at PwC and what exactly do you do?
I chose PwC due to the immediate connection with my (future) colleagues who interviewed me. I felt immediately that these are people with whom I wish to work and spend time with.
I work in the Risk Consulting team for Financial Services, which means I help major Dutch and international financial institutions with enhancing, digitizing, and transforming their risk management frameworks and functions. We work to build resilient processes to allow financial institutions to effectively detect and mitigate risks stemming from financial crime, conduct, emerging risks etc. This, to create more trust, transparency, and security in our financial system.
Why did you choose this job?
What drew me to PwC Consulting is the ability to work with a large portfolio of different clients, helping to solve a variety of different problems. At the FS Risk Consulting team, we work with major Dutch banks, insurance companies, payments providers, FinTechs, pension funds, asset managers etc. This exposure to such a wide selection of companies allows you to build experience very quickly.
“What drew me to PwC Consulting is the ability to work with a large portfolio of different clients, helping to solve a variety of different problems.”
What is your educational background?
I studied at the Maastricht University. I completed a bachelor's in Economics, and a master’s degree in Financial Economics
What does a typical working day look like?
For me, one of the key things makes Consulting so interesting, is that there is not necessarily a typical working day. Due to the project based nature of working, often having more than one client at a time, and diverse project teams, it is very rarely a ‘typical’ working week. This need to be adaptable and on your toes keeps me fresh and excited for the job.
What do you like about your work?
If I had to sum up PwC with 3 words, I would say People, Energy, and Potential. PwC is incredibly people focused, we make every member of the team feel as a significant contributor. There is a huge amount of energy and enthusiasm
PwC is ontzettend mensgericht, we geven elke collega het gevoel dat hij of zij een belangrijke bijdrage kan leveren.
Who are you in your free time?
I am an avid boater, so most of the summer you can find me on the canals of Amsterdam. Next to that I also enjoy cooking and having dinner and drinks with my friends whenever possible.
Tell us something about your team/collaboration/colleagues/the open culture at PwC?
People and collaboration always come first. At PwC the value is in your colleagues. The ability to pool knowledge, share experiences, and leverage the experiences of others is the key driver in being able to deliver high quality work to our clients.
“PwC is incredibly people focused, we make every member of the team feel as a significant contributor.”
Is there room for personal growth/development at PwC?
There is significant room to shape your own growth and development. You have a voice, and the PwC network is never short of training opportunities. The ability to grow your knowledge and expertise through opportunities such as international trainings, post-graduate education, and internal masterclasses is always present.
Can you say something about the appreciation/recognition of your work at PwC?
At PwC entrepreneurship, initiative, and dedication is always appreciated and recognized. I personally always feel that my performance is appropriately discussed and rewarded. Successes are celebrated, but also areas of development are openly discussed.
Can you name a project you are proud of?
One of my most memorable projects has been supporting a major European bank with the redevelopment of their risk management framework, involving PwC colleagues across Europe. This ability to collaborate with not only cross competencies in the Dutch office, but also across other European PwC offices.
Another very exciting position has been my role in the Young Advisory Board, which sits below the PwC Advisory Board in a sounding and consulting facility, and a linking pin between the more junior and senior colleagues. This role really gives you the ability to have a voice and influence on the strategic direction of the Dutch firm.
“The ability to pool knowledge, share experiences, and leverage the experiences of others is the key driver in being able to deliver high quality work to our clients.”
What can you say about the flexibility/work-life balance at PwC?
At PwC I feel I am given the trust to be able to manage my own work and responsibilities. I have never felt constrained by the work or that there’s expectations for making hours. Naturally Consulting is project based work, so there is a certain fluctuation in the workload. However, the focus is always on delivery and quality.
What would you say to your future colleagues?
If you are ambitious, and have a desire to work in a dynamic, international, and collaborative environment, helping leading financial institutions in the Netherlands and Europe to improve their risk management and resilience in an ever-changing global economy. Then I would say that the FS Risk consulting team is a terrific place to kick-start your career.
Also read the story of Armana Novkinic, Senior Associate Risk Consulting
