OXFORD

ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
Saskia Ilsen Nunn
Senior Consultant in
International Mobility
Consulting, PwC
Christ Church, BA
Geography, 2012
WHAT: I work with a range of
clients across various industries.
Part of my job is to ensure that
organisations and their employees are
compliant from a wage tax, income tax
and social security perspective, when
they send employees to work abroad or
receive expatriates from other countries.
I also consult with client firms more
broadly to ensure that their assignment
and global mobility policies are structured
appropriately and in such a way that
they create value for them as well as
helping them find solutions to the many
complexities which come with having a
globally mobile employee population.
WHY: My job is hugely varied and fastmoving
due both to the ever-changing
tax environment and the impact of
globalisation, which affects the way my
clients do business and who they need to
send where and why. Don’t listen when
people say tax is dull!
GETTING IN: I successfully completed an
internship at PwC during my second year
at Oxford and consequently received
a full-time job offer to join PwC after
graduation. The internship was a great
taster of what it would be like to work
at PwC and also what opportunities
International Mobility had to offer. If
you’re unsure what career you want
to pursue, I’d highly recommend
looking into internships first.
EARLY CAREER: I started fresh-faced
out of university and spent two and
a half years working in my original
business area before being seconded
to the Internal Global Mobility team
at a large international technology
company. Then after three years,
with an ACA in hand and the ability
to call myself a fully qualified
Chartered Accountant, I decided
to take the plunge and request
an international secondment. I’m
currently six months into a one and
a half year contract with PwC in the
Netherlands, working and living in
Amsterdam. It may not be the typical
assignment location but I am loving
it!
TOP TIPS: Always be pro-active
and ask questions. Nothing will be
handed to you on a plate.
Take advantage of any opportunities
which come your way!
ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
Ben Rose
Strategy Associate,
Aon Inpoint
St Hilda’s College,
BA Hons Music, 2014
WHAT: I joined Aon Inpoint in April
2016. We are consultants to insurers
and reinsurers providing data-driven
insights, global market assessments
and strategic recommendations.
WHY: Though the hours can be long, the
fast-paced, client-focused project work is
thrilling. I particularly enjoy the chance to
become an expert in something new for
every project and the opportunity to be
creative when designing solutions.
GETTING IN: Internships and graduate
schemes will give you the keys to
the City if you are fortunate enough
to win a place: my career kicked off
with a summer internship in second
year, leading to a place on the Lloyd’s
graduate scheme in 2014. Try not to
be disheartened when an application
you’ve worked hard on doesn’t pay
off – everyone gets their fair share of
rejections.
In terms of what to apply for, I
wholeheartedly recommend a role or
scheme which allows you to explore
a number of different placements.
Personally, it showed me that I really
wanted to pursue a strategy role,
and gave me the tools to shape my
remaining placements towards achieving
that aim!
INTERVIEWING: In my first few
interviews, employers showed
a surprising level of interest in
my spare time activities. Nonacademic
achievements make
you memorable as a candidate
and give the interviewer a great
icebreaker – especially if they are
nervous too! For me, being able to
link captaining a hockey team and
giving piano recitals with leadership
and presentation skills was extremely
useful. Finally, always bear in mind
that one of the main questions
interviewers keep in the back of their
minds is whether they would want to
work in a team with the candidate:
trade arrogance for confidence; think
enthusiastic, friendly and competent.
TOP TIPS: From entry-level to C-suite,
never be afraid to reach out to
connections for advice. Your network
is always bigger than you think.
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