Did you already know during your studies which field you wanted to work in?
Yes, combining my studies with work early on allowed me to keep a clear goal in mind right from the start.
Did you have the opportunity to gain practical experience whilst you were studying? If so, in what form?
Internships and part-time student jobs are not part of the AuditXcellence program; instead, a practical training phase is scheduled for every academic year between November and April. During this time, students work full-time at an auditing firm. Since the work is performed under a standard employment contract, students take on increasing responsibility and begin climbing the first steps of the career ladder.
What advice can you give students on how to make a successful start to their careers?
What did you do after finishing your studies? How did you come to be in your current job?
I finished my studies in May, and immediately started preparing for my exams—first the written ones, then the oral ones. After passing the exams, I returned to work. Since the team was already used to me being away during the summer months, it was a smooth transition. Once I’m certified as a public accountant, I’ll take on my own clients as the assigned public accountant and be responsible for personnel.
What does your typical working day look like at the moment?
Day-to-day work in the final audit is very diverse. It now consists less of operational auditing and increasingly more of review activities. We maintain close communication with our clients, which gives us a broad understanding of both the business and its processes. This understanding enables us to identify risks and address them as part of the final audit. In addition, I enjoy the opportunity to participate in recruiting events and internal training sessions and to drive the topic of digital transformation (especially Gen(AI)).
What was the biggest challenge you faced in your day-to-day student life, and how did you overcome it?
The AuditXcellence program is a demanding course of study that, combined with the public accounting exam, takes a lot of time. It helped me a great deal to decide on a career in public accounting before I even started the program. I would recommend everyone to gain some practical experience before deciding to enroll in the AuditXcellence program.
Why did you choose that subject back then?
I decided to pursue a career in public accounting very early on. Starting with a general interest in economic and legal topics during high school, I began my career with a dual bachelor’s degree program specializing in public accounting. Afterward, it quickly became clear to me that I wanted to continue pursuing the path toward the certified public accountant exam. The AuditXcellence program gave me the opportunity to prepare for the exam, earn a master’s degree, and at the same time further develop my skills in practical auditing work.
Profile
Degree
Master of Science
Start
Summer semester
Duration
7 semesters
Classroom language
German
Cost
35.000 Euro
Admission
Not restricted, application at the faculty required
Information on enrollment/application for German applicants
as a Master’s degree course for working professionals, it ties in the requirements of entrepreneurial practice with current research findings, thus ensuring outstanding preparation for the accounting and auditing examination.
It provides the opportunity to specialise in the following fields ...
Because of the combination of studying in the summer and practical training in the winter, students gain sufficient practical experience alongside their theoretical studies.
Did you already know during your studies which field you wanted to work in?
No, not 100%. But I was certain that choosing this degree program with the goal of taking the certified public accountant exam would be a good decision. It certainly was, and the profession offers a wide range of opportunities for growth.
Did you have the opportunity to gain practical experience whilst you were studying? If so, in what form?
Because of the combination of studying in the summer and practical training in the winter, students gain sufficient practical experience alongside their theoretical studies.
What advice can you give students on how to make a successful start to their careers?
In the field of auditing, a critical mindset is essential. Staying curious and tackling tasks proactively always helps!
What did you do after finishing your studies? How did you come to be in your current job?
After completing my studies and passing the certified public accountant exam, I moved seamlessly into the practical training phases, where I was able to put what I had learned into practice.
What does your typical working day look like at the moment?
It's varied and challenging, but very fulfilling, and it's a lot of fun to be in charge of exciting projects.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in your day-to-day student life, and how did you overcome it?
The tax law exams, especially the ones on sales tax. ;) I got through them by writing very quickly.
Why did you choose that subject back then?
Deeply understanding business, accounting, and tax concepts and identifying problems motivated me to pursue a career as a certified public accountant. The master’s program, which combined theory and practice, provided the ideal framework for this.
