Hi, my name is Matthew Gin and I started as an intern in the Audit and Assurance team at the Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Auckland office on 15 November 2023. My last day is 16 February 2024.

6.30am: My alarm goes off, as I jump out of bed to start my morning routine and get ready for the day.

7.45am: Taking the bus around this time allows me to get into work a few minutes early for a coffee and to plan the tasks ahead.

8.30am: I greet a few people in the office. Today begins with fraud testing for a company. Being so new to the firm, the majority of the time I am working on something I have never encountered before. Every day is an opportunity to learn and experience something new. At Baker Tilly Staples Rodway, everyone is always willing to lend you a hand and provide guidance, regardless of position.

10.30am: Today, I have a meeting with Ashleigh who is part of the Human Resources Team. This centres around how I am settling into the Audit team and finding the work so far. Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Auckland is constantly looking at ways to enhance our experiences as interns, setting up events, workshops and activities to ensure we experience everything the firm has to offer. Next week, we have a day where we will be shadowing the directors of our department.

11am: After the meeting I respond to some emails. In auditing we interact a lot with clients, ranging from CFOs to company accountants. It’s really insightful, getting the opportunity to communicate with professionals from different companies and industries, especially as an intern.

12pm: Just before lunch we have a bite-sized training workshop. This involves the whole audit department engaging in a Teams call. One of the senior auditors will then take us through a newly integrated process or teach technical skills for us to utilise in our work.

12.30pm: We have an intern lunchtime training. This is one of the unique initiatives Baker Tilly Staples Rodway has implemented into their internship programme. Every week, a service line within the office presents a brief presentation on the kind of work they do and how they function. It provides helpful insight on potential career pathways and a broader view of how the firm operates, the free lunch is also bonus!

1.30pm: The second block of work starts and I’m now working for another client. This time, I’ve been tasked with revenue walk-throughs. I have now performed a few of these so am growing confident in completing this task on my own. Over the course of my internship, I’ve learnt an immense amount, becoming familiar with some of the processes carried out for interim and final audits.

3pm: I have my second meeting of the day. This is with my team for a client who works in maintenance. We are heading out to the client site next week to undertake a stocktake in a very large warehouse. Pre-planning to ensure we get the necessary samples is essential to ensure the day runs smoothly.

5pm: My day at the office concludes and I head to the gym to let out the rest of my energy. Working in the heart of the city is so convenient as most things you may need are just a walk away! It was a very eventful shift so getting my daily dose of exercise is crucial to help me decompress and recharge for tomorrow.