Senior Auditor Elise Schrauwen completed her last month with our audit colleagues in Switzerland. 3 years ago, she joined Grant Thornton in Belgium and had a great time together with her close-knit team in Antwerp. Yet she felt the need to explore new horizons. She got the chance to join the colleagues in Zurich for six months. We look back on this special experience with her.
Elise: "After 3 intense years with my closest audit colleagues, I felt the need to explore a new environment. I wanted to see what other firms are like and gather new ideas. But I did not necessarily want to leave Grant Thornton. So a secondment within our own network was the ideal compromise!"
Elise: "It was a fantastic experience! From day 1, the Swiss team completely embraced me. I was immediately given a thorough introduction to audit standards and the Swiss way of working. And the first evening we got to know each other more at dinner. We also spoke English among eachother, which made it easier for me to communicate. I felt completely accepted.
It was hard work in audit, but besides that there were many team activities. Every month we had an afterwork on Friday, with snacks and drinks. I'm used to this combination of hard work and having fun together as we do the same in Belgium.
Three Belgian colleagues had even come to visit me. I thought that was super sweet.
Of course, the weekends there were also great. I was in the mountains almost every weekend to go skiing or hiking. Each weekend was like a short holiday."
Elise: "First of all, I have grown as a person. I have learned to be independent and manage on my own. You also need to be social enough so that you build the necessary network to do things together in your spare time.
Also professionally, I have learned an enormous amount. I will not only take this baggage with me to my team in Belgium; it will also help me in the continuation of my career.
In short: I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity and very happy that I dared to take this step. It is a fun and educational experience. I would recommend it to everyone!"