The most valuable skill I gained from this internship was working as team to solve one goal. By first learning the roles and strengths of everyone I worked alongside, I realized the areas I could make the most significant contributions.
What attracted you to IFAC when you joined?
I was attracted to IFAC because of its international scope and the great connections I made with the members of the finance department. I could tell IFAC was filled with individuals passionate about the accounting profession, and my interest in accounting and finance drove me to an organization that shared that passion.
What types of projects did you work on?
I worked on a variety of projects throughout the summer. I helped annotate Request for Proposals from representative audit companies with interest adding IFAC to their client base. I also helped write and organize key information about each auditor so my colleagues could make the most informed decision possible when selecting an auditor. I helped Brett James in IFEA adjust travel assumptions based on organizing previous flight prices recorded on a trail balance, averaging these prices categorized by region on a pivot table using Microsoft Excel, and updating the forecasting and budgeting software Limelight to reflect these more accurate assumptions. I also assisted the finance department with any operational tasks needed throughout the summer, for example I built lease amortization schedules in Microsoft Excel and researched certificate of deposit rates that could provide both short term and long-term investment options.
What was your most memorable experience?
The most memorable assignment I worked on was the summer internship project. I worked alongside my fellow interns Madeleine and Ariana to present solutions to a member value proposition we were all given at the beginning of the internship. The proposition asked us to answer how IFAC can make current and potential members feel the benefits are worth maintaining membership long term.
My section of the presentation focused on a platform I had built and developed to connect member organizations. It had two main functions, an online forum where member organization employees could upload questions and problems other members could help solve, and a directory of employees for reference if employees wanted to connect and collaborate to solve certain problems. The project required a strong understanding of IFAC’s organizational structure throughout all departments, and an understanding of the needs of each department. The solutions we presented allowed our intern cohort to show how much we had learned about the company through the connections we had made within all departments of IFAC.
What’s the most valuable skill you gained from your internship?
The most valuable skill I gained from this internship was working as team to solve one goal. Many of the assignments I was presented with where assignments either other members of the finance team or the other interns where also working on. By first learning the roles and strengths of everyone I worked alongside, I realized the areas I could make the most significant contributions. This internship and the incredible people that I worked with helped me to realize how much I could contribute when my attention is focused in the right places.
What have you learned about the accounting profession that surprised you?
One day, Helen Partridge the CFO of IFAC came into the office to speak with the interns about her experiences. She previously worked at Deloitte audit, and she recalled a time she was sent to audit at Seaworld. She explained how the animals themselves can directly factor into the audit. For example, certain animals such as Dolphins are capitalized and carried on the balance sheet, and when the dolphin is expected to pass away within the next year, the book value of the animal is written off as a loss. Helen providing the intern cohort with such a unique example really surprised me and has since made me think more critically about how broad the scope of accounting can be.
What advice do you have for others going into internships?
I would advise others going into internships to network with as many people as possible. Everyone at IFAC has so much experience and knowledge, and I’m happy I spent so much time learning about everyone’s unique background. Never be afraid to reach out to someone new or to ask questions! Everyone at IFAC wants to build each other up, and you never know how impactful someone’s story might be when deciding your own future path.