29 Oct 2024
On 21 September 2024, five outstanding students from the International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) participated in the highly anticipated 2024 "Youth Up" Deloitte Audit and Assurance Experience Day. The event was held at Deloitte's Shanghai office (Shanghai Bund Center) under the guidance of Ms Yidan Liu from IBSS WEC and Dr Samuel Kwok, Deputy Head of the Accounting Department and Associate Professor of Practice of IBSS. Their impressive performance earned high recognition from Deloitte.
(From left to right: Dr Samuel Kwok, Jingyi Zhang, Shanshan Shi, Ruiheng Zhang, Ziyi Pan, Xinyue She, Ms Yidan Liu)
The experience day is a significant part of Deloitte's fall recruitment drive, aiming to offer future audit professionals a deep dive into the firm's brand culture and services. Participants were exposed to cutting-edge audit practices, digital tools, and real-world case simulations. Deloitte described the event as both an audit exploration journey and a valuable opportunity to meet "future talent."
Thanks to recommendations from IBSS programme directors and Deloitte's strict selection process, five students were selected to join the event, they are Ruiheng Zhang, Ziyi Pan, and Xinyue She, all final-year Accounting students; Jingyi Zhang, a second-year Master's student in Economics and Finance; and Shanshan Shi, a second-year Master's student in Professional Accounting. The IBSS’s Work Placement, Employability and Career Development (WEC) team provided comprehensive career support, including CV guidance, leaderless group discussion training, and interview preparation, ensuring the students were well-prepared for the challenge.
From left to right: Jingyi Zhang, Ziyi Pan, Shanshan Shi
In the end, Shanshan Shi received a full-time offer from Deloitte and the "Best Individual Award," while Ruiheng Zhang and Jingyi Zhang secured a "Green Pass," giving them direct access to partner interviews in 2024 Deloitte's fall recruitment process.
Shanshan Shi
Ruiheng Zhang
Deloitte A&A Experience Day Highlights
The event featured a packed agenda, including keynote speeches on Deloitte's business development, smart auditing, ESG audit practices, and engaging roundtable discussions. Through interactive activities and case studies, students had the chance to apply their knowledge and develop practical skills by tackling real-life business scenarios in a simulated environment. During the leaderless group discussion on audit inventory, students tackled a case study designed by Deloitte auditors, where they debated the feasibility of a client's audit plan and developed a monitoring strategy. This immersive experience offered participants hands-on insight into real-world audit processes, honing their teamwork, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Deloitte emphasized that the experience day was not only an audit exploration journey but also a crucial selection process for future audit talent. High-performing students had the chance to secure early recruitment offers and interview opportunities. Throughout the event, IBSS students stood out with their professionalism and industry insight, gaining recognition from the Deloitte team.
Academic Excellence Supporting Professional Growth
The excellent performance of IBSS students in the experience day was rooted in IBSS’s strong academic foundation and high-quality teaching. The Accounting and Economics departments at IBSS offer globally-oriented curriculums and world-class faculty, fostering industry-aligned skills and insights. Core courses in Accounting, Finance, and Economics equip students with a deep understanding of key areas such as auditing, financial management, and analysis, preparing them for success at leading global firms like Deloitte.
Dr Samuel Kwok
Through rigorous academic training, IBSS students not only gain a solid theoretical foundation but also master digital tools and analytical methods, demonstrating their ability to engage with industry trends. Their strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills showcased during the camp were the result of the school's practical and academic approach.
Comprehensive Career Support from IBSS
Prior to the event, the IBSS WEC team offered comprehensive support to the selected students, including CV revisions, group discussion training, and interview coaching. This professional career guidance ensured that the students excelled in Deloitte's evaluations and fully demonstrated their capabilities and potential.
Student Feedback and Takeaways
Participants gained a deeper understanding of audit industry trends and digital tools through insights shared by Deloitte experts. Their performance in real-world simulations reflected their strong professional skills. Ruiheng Zhang, the final year student from Accounting, noted, "IBSS’s specialized courses and comprehensive career guidance provided me with valuable hands-on experience and opportunities during the camp."
The successful completion of the Deloitte A&A experience day once again highlights IBSS's achievements in nurturing globally-minded, professionally skilled, and practically capable talents. We look forward to seeing these students continue to excel in their future careers!
29 Oct 2024