Ever wondered what a day in the life of an audit graduate really looks like? Meet Shize, an Audit Graduate at Grant Thornton, working in the Cairns office.
After completing an internship with the firm, she stepped into a graduate role where she now supports clients, builds her technical skills and contributes to real audit projects from day one. With a diverse team behind her and plenty of opportunities to learn, Shize is gaining hands-on experience and shaping her early career in professional services. In this blog, she shares an inside look at her day and what makes Grant Thornton a great place to start a people-focused and growth-oriented career.
Morning: From Lecture Halls to Client Briefs
I start my morning by catching up on messages from my family overseas before riding my scooter to the Cairns office. The commute is quick, and with secure parking it’s an easy start to the day. Once I’m inside, I grab breakfast in the office hub. It gives me a calm moment to enjoy the view and prepare for what’s ahead.
At my desk, I check emails and review the audit dashboard. This is where clients upload documents we need to review. The dashboard helps me and the team stay organised and know exactly what we need to work on. Compared to university, where tasks can feel broad or open-ended, the structure in audit work helps me feel clear about my goals for the day. I always begin by looking at my priorities, which sets me up for meetings and client work.
Midday: Real-World Audit Work and Learning
Throughout the day, I work on tasks like reviewing financial information, updating audit files and asking questions to make sure everything adds up. My team has a daily catch-up to share progress and check if anyone needs help. It makes it easy to stay connected and understand how my work fits in.
One of my favourite parts of the job is the support I receive. I learn from managers, senior auditors and my buddy, who I can ask anything. University taught me the basics like critical thinking, but most of my real learning happens on the job. I like that I can ask questions, try new tasks and get feedback right away.
Afternoon and Beyond: Culture, Careers and What’s Possible
The culture at Grant Thornton is something I really value. As an international graduate, I felt welcomed from my first day. The team is diverse, friendly and always ready to help. The firm also hosts events and wellbeing initiatives that make it easy to feel included.
My internship and graduate experiences have helped me discover new strengths and broaden my career goals. I enjoy working with different managers and clients, and I know the skills I’m building now will be useful throughout my career.
For high school students who are curious about auditing or consulting, my biggest advice is to stay open-minded. You don’t need to know everything before you start. Many of the skills I use every day such as communication, teamwork and problem solving are things you already practise in school. What matters most is being willing to learn and ask questions.
Grant Thornton stood out to me because of how genuine and supportive the people are. If you’re looking for a career that is people-focused, full of learning opportunities and supported by a welcoming team, it’s a great place to begin.
