The person behind the numbers: interview with Adelis Fulga, Audit Assistant

Hello, Adelis, thank you for joining our discussion today, it’s lovely to have you with us! Let’s offer our readers a glimpse of who you are. What is your current role within the company and for how long have you been with Forvis Mazars?

Hello to you all, thank you for the invitation! I’m glad to be part of today’s discussion and I hope that it will offer our readers a bit of inspiration and, hopefully, an overview of our team and activity.

First of all, my name is Adelis Fulga, and currently, I hold the position of Audit Assistant at Forvis Mazars in Romania. I have been a part of the team for about eight months now. Although compared to some of my more senior colleagues, I have not been a part of the team for a very long period, I can certainly say that it is the place where I want to be.  

How has your journey looked until now? What were the passions, dreams or hobbies that shaped your path and what steps did you take to get where you are now?

Up until now, my professional journey has been full of lessons and challenges. I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue a career in finance and accounting, and it made sense to have accounting as my starting point, at a moment when I wasn’t sure which direction would better suit me and my objectives.

Not long after I started in accounting, I realised that I wasn’t passionate about my job, and I understood that a change was necessary. Thus, audit became my lifeline, offering me the chance to bring passion into everything that I do, within an environment that allows me to grow and evolve in a beautiful way.  

How does a normal day in your professional life look like? Take us through your tasks and responsibilities.

Within the daily routine that I’ve created, every morning starts with a cup of coffee, a ritual through which I make sure I’m getting the energy that I need for the day. The morning is also the period in which I organise my team, check what we have to do, and set the priorities.

Then, I assign the tasks, ensuring that each of them is distributed fairly. I don’t like to create inequalities between colleagues, with one person having to work more than another. Throughout the day, I maintain constant communication with the juniors in my team, coming up with solutions for any challenge they encounter, and if I can't solve them alone, I ask for help from my manager.

Audit is a challenging field, but if you truly get to know the secrets of the profession, you fall in love with it. I believe audit is the most fulfilling field in finance, and that is due, in part, to the wonderful team around me that helped me discover its beauty.

What role does your team play in your activity? How has their support impacted you?

My team plays a crucial role in my daily activities. Close collaboration and mutual support are fundamental to our success. Each team member contributes with their expertise and skills, allowing us to approach projects with confidence and efficiency.

The support of my team has helped me overcome challenges and grow, both professionally and personally. The positive and open work environment within the company allows us to learn from each other and to support one another in difficult times. This close collaboration is what makes our work so rewarding.

This year marks an important milestone on our journey as a company, as we are celebrating three decades of trust on the local market. What is your definition of trust and how important is this element within your team?

First of all, I want to say that I feel proud to be part of the Forvis Mazars team is such an important moment. I hope that our story will continue to develop beautifully, as it did up until now.  

For me, trust means transparency, integrity, and reliability. It is the foundation upon which strong relationships are built, whether we are talking about colleagues, clients, or partners. Within my team, trust is essential for effective collaboration and mutual support during challenging times.

The support of my team, based on trust, is crucial, and I’m happy to be surrounded by people with the same set of values as me.

We talk a great deal about work-life balance these days, and about its importance for our mental health, as well as our productivity. Putting all the talk aside, I’m curious to know how you implement it into your life, with concrete actions. What are the things that help you stay motivated and present in all aspects of your life?

To maintain a healthy work-life balance, I set clear boundaries and organise my time efficiently. For example, I plan my days to ensure I have time for personal activities and hobbies that bring me peace and joy. I regularly exercise and spend time with family and friends, which helps me disconnect from daily stress.

Additionally, I take regular breaks during the workday to recharge and stay focused. These concrete actions, along with the passion and pleasure of doing this job, help me stay motivated and present in all aspects of my life, ensuring that I don’t neglect any of them.

Can you offer a piece of advice to young professionals at the beginning of their career, looking to turn academic knowledge into real-world impact?

My sincere advice to young professionals is to be curious and not afraid to ask questions. Start by trying to acquire a deep understanding of the field you want to work in and seek opportunities; do not refuse any chance to add new information to your knowledge base. Participate in internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular projects that allow you to experiment and learn from practice.

Additionally, find mentors who can guide you and provide valuable insights. Building a network of professional contacts and maintaining an open attitude towards continuous learning are essential for turning academic knowledge into real-world impact.

During my second year of studies, at my first job, my then manager told me: To know success, you have to be the hungriest for knowledge in every room you’re in. I want to offer this message to our readers as well, in their search for inspiration.

Thank you, Adelis, for your openness, transparency and inspiration! We’re so glad to have you with us and to be able to discover one of the people behind the numbers.

For our readers out there, we hope our discussion will inspire you in your search for the role and the team that will allow you to do everything with passion and enthusiasm, just like Adelis!