ANITA’S TESTIMONIAL
People who had worked in audit explained to me that auditing at Nestlé was more operational than financial (which is what you usually associate audit with). I really became interested in that kind of job because it touched on all aspects of the company’s operations in great detail, from finance to managing a brand and a product port-folio. I was also attracted to the position because it allowed me to travel throughout the world.
I felt that as I was young I still had the freedom and enthusiasm to travel and spend time getting to know local operations and the countries in which they operate. I really enjoyed the short term nature of the work, with its defined tasks and time-lines and the variety of each project.
It also has to be said that from a personal point of view it is not easy. I really think that anybody who wants to do this job needs to understand that there will be some very difficult moments. You will be away from your friends and your family. The intense work load and the pressure of work can be very tough on you and can really take a toll on your relationships. However, this audit experience was the most amazing period of my life, and I would make the same decision again as it offers so many opportunities for your professional and personal development. The important point is to be able to consciously appreciate those experiences as you often only realize afterwards how lucky you have been.
I chose my current job in Ukraine because I felt that it would be a challenging job with important responsibilities. It was an opportunity to put in place a finance structure at head office and to develop Finance and Control as an efficient support function in a market which was still relatively new to the Nestlé organization – although brimming with potential growth and profitability. Added to that is the aspect of developing and coaching people, which I really enjoy. I now have about 90 people in my team, of whom about 70 are in Finance and Control.
From a personal viewpoint, the position has given me the opportunity to return to the place I was born and where my father studied and met my mother. After four years in auditing, I was looking forward to being in one place, able to develop friends and interests. I have had a chance to travel throughout the country and to learn more about its history and artistic roots. I feel particularly lucky to be partially based in Lviv, as it is a unique city which still retains many of the architectural treasures of the city’s rich history and which makes it one of the most attractive cities in Eastern Europe.”