Building a Career in Auditing: A UMN Alumni’s Journey to Joining SW Indonesia

The journey toward the professional world certainly does not happen in a single step. One can start by gaining knowledge in university, honing skills through internship programs, and learning to adapt to the environment and work demands. This also applies to Agnes Avianti, an alumna of UMN’s Accounting study program, class of 2014, who has now successfully built a career as an Auditor at SW Indonesia.

Great Opportunities for Learning in UMN’s Accounting Program

One of the things that made Agnes interested in studying Accounting was that, in this digital era, UMN offers unconventional curricula and teaching methods that introduce ICT-based accounting knowledge, preparing students to develop and adapt to industry needs in the modern era.

Agnes explained that several courses were influential when she began her career as a junior auditor, including basic accounting (PA1 and PA2), taxation, introduction to auditing & assurance, and introduction to multimedia technology. As she moved up in position and responsibility to associate manager, courses such as intermediate, advanced, and costing became more relevant. Almost all the knowledge gained during her studies is used in the professional world, both academically and non-academically.

“In my opinion, UMN has great potential and can develop further in the future in Indonesia’s education landscape. Coupled with UMN’s participation in national and international events, it increasingly demonstrates the quality of its students and its reputation in the eyes of the world. Almost all of the knowledge is brought and effectively applied in the workplace, because I think the curriculum designed by UMN is very capable of preparing students to enter the workforce,” Agnes said.

Also read: Accounting at UMN: A Major for Those Who Are Thorough and Logical

Interest in Auditing Since University

“My interest in auditing emerged while I was in college, specifically during the PA2 course. At that time, my lecturer not only taught from the textbook but also shared many experiences from the auditing world. From the team-based work environment, to dealing with many clients and learning about various industries, to exciting business trips, to the thrill of facing peak season periods. From there, I became interested and chose the audit specialization,” Agnes explained.

Studying at UMN gave Agnes many experiences through exercises and practice, as well as strong facility support, so students don’t only learn theory from textbooks. This is very helpful when entering the professional world, allowing one to correct small mistakes and become more reliable with better work performance.

Daily Life Working at SW Indonesia

Every job certainly has different responsibilities and challenges. Agnes explained that her task as an auditor is to provide an opinion on financial statements and ensure they have been prepared in accordance with applicable financial standards. An auditor’s job is not monotonous either—they must continuously learn and update their knowledge of new regulations and developments, especially in the AI era.

In addition, diverse clients require an understanding of various industries, which adds insight and experience and makes communication skills important for delivering quality audits.

“Time management is the most difficult challenge during peak season, considering the number of clients being handled; I need to ensure that all work is in accordance with the timetable and meets deadlines. My role as an associate manager is to ensure that all of the above runs smoothly while also sharing knowledge with other team members to build a strong and reliable team,” said Agnes.

“The biggest challenge is probably when managing the banking industry; the data that needs to be processed is quite extensive, and some data cannot be retrieved manually, so it requires system support and IT audit experts. However, because we are supported by the team and adequate audit procedure design, we can complete it well,” Agnes explained when describing challenges in the big data era.

Also read: What Jobs Do UMN Accounting Graduates Get? Are They Still Needed in the AI Era?

Message for Juniors

Accounting is one of the most popular majors. Even though we are now in the digital era, UMN students can also learn to adapt to technology in line with the facilities that UMN has provided.

“Dare to try and never stop learning and growing. While still young, take on as many challenges as possible, gain as much experience and insight as you can. Academic knowledge is an important foundation in your field of expertise. Still, the lessons you gain from non-academic activities and the values instilled within yourself are what shape who you are in the future. Be the best version of yourself,” Agnes advised juniors who are interested in accounting and want to build a career in public accounting firms, consulting, or any other field.

“Keep going! The world of business and finance offers many options—it’s not just about being an auditor. There are many other fields to pursue, such as accounting, advisory, taxation, and even entrepreneurship. Don’t be afraid to seize opportunities and never stop learning and growing. I wish you all success in all your endeavors,” Agnes concluded, offering encouragement to fellow UMN students who are starting their careers in the business and finance world.

The journey to breaking into the professional audit world like Kak Agnes didn’t happen overnight, but you can start it from the right campus. Come on, be part of UMN and realize your career dreams in audit or any other field you’re interested in!

Source:

• Author

• Interview with alumni

By Latifah Uswatun Khasanah

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

Kuliah di Jakarta untuk jurusan program studi Informatika| Sistem Informasi | Teknik Komputer | Teknik Elektro | Teknik Fisika | Akuntansi | Manajemen| Komunikasi Strategis | Jurnalistik | Desain Komunikasi Visual | Film dan Animasi | Arsitektur | D3 Perhotelan , di Universitas Multimedia Nusantara. www.umn.ac.id