The MOVE experience: from Bucharest to Casablanca, with Andreea Ignătescu, Tax Manager

Hi, Andreea! Thank you for joining today’s discussion, we’re eager to find out more about your exciting international experience, but first, let’s get to know you a bit better! How does a day in the life of a tax manager look like? What tasks and responsibilities do you handle?  

Hi, Alexandra, hello everyone!  

Firstly, I can tell you that no two days look the same for me. As a Tax Manager, I work on a wide range of projects, offering personalised services to clients in various industries. My responsibilities cover direct taxation and global mobility, as well as international tax matters. I am also involved in business development activities, such as client interactions and market-facing initiatives.  

At the same time, I coordinate projects alongside my colleagues and I’m responsible for mentoring the people in our team, monitoring their development and ensuring both technical quality and strong collaboration.  

Let’s talk MOVE! How did this opportunity come about for you? Take us through this process, how did you discover it, what made you choose this destination?  

I was already aware of the MOVE programme and its specificities, given that I had been interested in gaining international exposure for quite some time. I actively looked for the best opportunity that matched my role and level of experience. From then on, it was just a matter of time until I found the perfect match.  

At one point, towards the end of this process, I had to choose between Morocco and Sweden, but I ultimately chose Morocco - mainly because of the rich and diverse cultural experience. I looked at it as a unique chance to step outside my comfort zone and gain exposure to a very different environment.  

How did the support of your Romanian team impact you throughout this experience?  

The support from my Romanian team was extremely important, as they were extremely open to the idea, encouraging me to pursue this opportunity. They helped prepare the necessary documentation and supported me throughout the entire process. Knowing I had their backing gave me confidence and made the transition much smoother. 

How was your team there, in Morocco? We heard you made some new friends! How was your relationship with them, and how did you break the cultural barriers? 

The team in Morocco was amazing. They were very open, friendly, highly professional, and they made me feel like a part of their team from the very beginning. I was included not only in work-related activities, but also in their group of friends, and we spent a lot of time together outside the office. 

Although there were cultural differences, mainly in terms of language and religion imposing cultural barriers, the openness, friendliness, and mutual respect helped me overcome them very naturally. The team is extremely competent and has an excellent command of English, which also facilitated collaboration. 

What interesting projects did you handle within your time in Casablanca?  

During my secondment, I worked on several international tax projects and proposals, mainly related to structuring and reorganisations. I also delivered training sessions on international taxation and attended events with my team, which was a very rewarding experience. 

How do you think this program contributed to your development? What were the challenging aspects, and how did you overcome them? 

This program contributed significantly to my development, especially on a personal level. The main challenge was the cultural aspect, as Morocco has a different cultural, linguistic, and religious background, with French and Arabic being the main spoken languages. 

Adaptability was the element that helped me manage these challenges, followed by the ability to build genuine relationships based on trust and friendship. Overall, the experience helped me grow a lot as a person and as a professional. 

What were the most important lessons you took home with you at the end of your MOVE experience?  

The most important lesson was to remain open, brave, and curious, and to always try to take the best out of every experience, even when it challenges you. The evolution happens always outside of your comfort zone, and the MOVE programme was an important reminder of that.  

Give us your recommendations! As you are an honorary local now, what are the top spots anyone should visit and the must-tries when it comes to activities or local cuisine in Morocco? 

I highly recommend visiting Morocco and exploring cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech and Fes, as they are especially friendly to tourists, offering a pleasant and safe experience. Enjoying a visit to a traditional riad, the beautiful gardens, the medinas, the hammam spa experience, mint tea and the exquisite hotels and restaurants is a must. 

In Casablanca, I particularly enjoyed Dar Dada, Sqala and Lucy in the Sky. When in Marrakech, I recommend stopping for a tour at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, Jardin Majorelle, and the Royal Mansour (this can also be found in Casablanca). Comptoir Darna and Azar are also great experiences for dinner in Marrakech. Of course, the iconic medinas in Fes and Marrakesh should not be missed, as well as the modern and vibrant atmosphere of Rabat, the capital city of Morocco.