A day in the life of an auditor, with Luciana Olaru, Senior Auditor

Hi, Luciana, thank you for joining us! What is the first thing you do to prepare for a day of work? 

Hello, everyone!  

I like to wake up early so I can take some time for myself before starting my workday. This helps me stay organised throughout the day and keeps me from feeling that I’m rushing into everything.  

Before I open my laptop, I set up my desk with the essentials: a glass of water and my agenda, as I prefer the classic version over the digital notes. That way, I can better organise my ideas and responsibilities. I prioritise the most important ones so I can tackle them in the first part of the day, when the concentration is optimum.  

Take us through your tasks and responsibilities!   

As a senior auditor, my role combines coordination with technical aspects.  

Within my team, I make sure that the tasks are clearly defined, understood and distributed evenly, based on seniority and expertise. I also monitor the progress on our projects, ensuring that we meet deadlines and complete the audit process on time. An important part of my role is reviewing worksheets and providing constructive feedback. I enjoy explaining where necessary and ensuring that every colleague understands the correct approach, not just the result.  

At the same time, I communicate constantly with the client concerning status updates, clarifications and obtaining the necessary information so that the project moves forward without any obstacles.  

In addition to coordination, I also work on more complex projects that involve more analysis and professional judgement. I’m also involved in audit planning and risk assessment to ensure that the procedures we apply are appropriate.  

One aspect I particularly enjoy is facilitating training sessions, as it gives me the opportunity to share my experience and contribute to my colleagues’ development. Sometimes, I feel like a little teacher, which makes the whole process more enjoyable.  

Team meetings or one-on-one discussions, how do you stay up to date with your team?  

It really depends on the context. When it comes to planning or a project’s status, I prefer team meetings, as they help with alignment and efficiency. On the other hand, if I need to discuss specific topics in detail or offer feedback, I choose to have one-on-one conversations.  

I believe both are important, because constant communication is essential regardless of the format, whether it’s meetings, direct conversations or messages.  

What is your afternoon pick-me-up of choice?  

My choice is, without a doubt, coffee. I like to save it for after my lunch, as a little pick-me-up after the rush of the morning. It’s my moment to recharge, which helps me regain my focus for the rest of the day.  

How do you like to end a productive day at work?  

I like to end a productive day with a little moment of relaxation. Most of the time, I step outside for a few minutes to get some fresh air, helping me unwind and transition into my personal time.  

Afterwards, I like to treat myself to things that help me unwind, whether it’s an episode of a TV show or a creative activity, such as number painting or sewing. These types of activities help me clear my mind and end the day in a nice way.  

Now, let’s keep it real with some rapid-fire questions!   

Are you team hope my message finds you well or is it too millennial?    

Personally, it’s not something I use often. I prefer having a more direct and natural approach to communication, adapted to the context and the person.  

How many times did you look at someone’s Teams background and wonder if that is their real home?  

At the beginning of my career, I must admit I used to ask myself that. But, with time and getting through a large number of meetings, I got used to the many backgrounds and there isn’t something to catch my attention anymore.  

And finally, what is the best sign off to an email?  

For me, the best formula is a simple and friendly one, always thanking the person for their help and wishing them a good day or evening, depending on the time of day. I think this adds a human element and gives the message a warm tone, balancing even a more rigorous message.  

Thank you, Luciana, for your openness and for giving us a glimpse into what a day as an auditor looks like!  

For our readers at the beginning of their careers and ready for a new challenge: our audit team is growing! We are looking for curious people who are eager to expand their knowledge and put it into practice within complex projects. Kickstart your successful career with us!