From internal controls and subsidy auditing to consulting engagements and IT maturity. Audit Advisory Public operates in a variety of areas. ‘Our assignments are therefore incredibly diverse. Sometimes I help a client with an advice on how to improve subsidy and project administrations. Other times, I conduct workshops and audit organizations,’ says Muska (37). ‘As consultants, we visit our clients for a short or longer period of time. These can be research and health institutions, as well as ministries, and municipalities. I focus mainly on advice, subsidy management and carry out subsidy audits. What do you need to comply with a European or national subsidy? And what is important in an audit? These are some of the challenges that I face. Because we work with various sectors, we gain a lot of new experience.’

Plenty of variety
In contrast, Heidymara (25) does less consulting work and more audit work. ‘But there's plenty of variety in that too,’ she explains enthusiastically. ‘As a Senior Consultant, I do the executive assignments, manage team members and take care of client contact. But I also supervise interns and working students, something I get a lot of energy from. This also allows you to test your own knowledge and experience.’ Heidymara is currently seconded to a ministry where she joined the team as a Senior Auditor. ‘On the one hand, I support the team in implementation, and on the other hand, I contribute with the experience I gained at Deloitte. Think of sparring with the project leader and improving the files and working documents. A nice way to experience up close what it is like to work with the government, without being employed there. I have been there for almost six months now and soon my assignment will end, then I will start looking for a new challenge again.’

A click with colleagues
Audit Advisory Public is a relatively new team and has been in operation for about five years now. ‘I have been with Deloitte since October 2021 and have been assigned to set up the subsidy and advisory branch within the team along with a senior colleague. Of course, it’s a lot of fun to do’ said Muska. ‘I don't have an audit background, but I entered the subsidy compliance profession after studying Tax Law and Economics. And after working at a subsidy consultancy firm for five years, I was eager to make the move to a large organization. At Deloitte, I felt a click with the colleagues and partner, which is exactly what I was looking for. Here, you can be yourself and share your views and desires. For example, I really wanted to work 40 hours one week and 32 hours the next, for a better life-work balance. That way, I could volunteer to help refugees and I was able to spend the last six months renovating my house.’

Straight to work
Heidymara has been working at Deloitte since September 2019 and is pursuing a master's degree in Accountancy in addition to her full-time job. ‘It's a tough combination but fortunately, through Deloitte's study scheme, I get a study day every week for lectures and exams,’ Heidymara explains. ‘I ended up at Deloitte by chance, but I really like it here. During my earlier Accountancy studies, I was given a guest lecture at the Deloitte office in Rotterdam. I was so impressed that when the time came to write my thesis, I jumped at the opportunity and contacted them. I was able to start working right way! At the end of the period, I was asked to join the Audit Advisory Public team. An exciting step, but the office, the people, the atmosphere and the professionalism appealed to me tremendously. It turned out to be a great choice.’