3S of JAZEHL VALDEZ The Penkect Blend. HOW MY PWC INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE AND COFFEE HELPED ME DEVELOP AS AN ACCOUNTANT Crafting the perfect blend $12 Discovering the art of blending $13 Building relationships $10 Achieving the perfect balance $17 Brewing my future - Synthesis $99“Bs coating the pergect pwc blend, Salipana & Co, Applying for an internship at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) was akin to finding the perfect blend of coffee - it required patience, dedication, and a keen eye for quality. From the moment | submitted my application on November 23, 2022, | knew that | was embarking on a journey that would require perseverance and attention to detail. When | received an invitation to take an online assessment exam for the internship position the following day, it was like the aroma of freshly brewed coffee tantalizing my senses. The thrill of receiving notification of my passing results on November 25, 2022 was soon tempered by the news that the Audit and Assurance department internship positions were unavailable - it was like discovering that my favorite coffee shop was out of my preferred roast. £9 Undeterred, | continued to seek yr’ out other opportunities, much like - a coffee connoisseur exploring various blends and origins. But as fate would have it, a good friend invited me to apply with a group my dreamicompany = for PwC, and | decided to submit much like how a coffee another application on December enthusiast has their 8, 2022. With a stroke of luck, | prefered aaittes alia} was informed on December 13, teyouk Sat Wott LO 2022 that there were open slots for the Audit and Assurance department - it was like discovering a new specialty coffee A shop with the perfect roast and art flavor profile. - - pwe iD»,. 1. Crabling the pereect, = blend, On January 4, 2023, after a successful interview, | was offered the position of External Audit Intern - it was like being handed a cup of expertly brewed coffee that exceeded my expectations. Isla Lipana & Co. The day before my official start on January 23, 2023, | had the chance to meet some of my co-interns, many of whom were my fellow students from De La Salle University (DLSU). Like different types of coffee beans, we all had our unique backgrounds and strengths that we brought to the table. Despite the hybrid, mostly online work setup due to the pandemic, | was determined to forge connections and learn as much as possible from the talented professionals at PwC, much like how different coffee blends can complement each other and create a harmonious flavor profile.2. Discovering the ant o€ blending My first engagement was with AG&P Philippines. Atlantic Gulf and Pacific (AG&P) Philippines is a subsidiary of AG&P, a global energy solutions company headquartered in Singapore. AG&P Philippines is focused on providing engineering, procurement, construction, and fabrication services to industries such as oil and gas, power, mining, and others. AGSP As part of the engagement team for AG&P, | was excited to discover the art of blending in the audit process. It was my first time being involved in a fieldwork and witnessing the audit process firsthand. Working with my co-interns Maien and Camille, | was given various tasks that tested my knowledge and skills in accounting. | learned that auditors need to have ater to detail, focus, and the manage time effectively, especially during busy season.However, what made this experience even more special was meeting my managers, who warmly welcomed us to the team. Their guidance and support helped us navigate the challenges of auditing and made the experience even more enjoyable. We were under the supervision of Kuya Tymon and he is one of the most remarkable person | met at PwC. It was inspiring to see how they handled difficult situations with grace and composure, and it motivated me to work harder and strive for excellence. Overall, my internship experience with AG&P has been a valuable experience, allowing me to learn and grow as an individual and as a professional. The associates have been very nuce to us, even giving us breads and drinking convenience store coffee with us. This experience became my stepping stone as | ventured into more challenging engagements later on. Through this journey, | discovered the art of blending, not just in auditing but also in building relationships with my co- interns, associates and managers. _Lan®grateful forthe opportunity to be part of a team that values teamwork, professionalism, and \personal growth.3. Building nelationshipa- February 22, 2023 marks the start of my engagement with the client together with my senior associate, Ate Toni, and associate, Ate Nica. It was my first time meeting both of them that day, however, | am quite familiar with Ate Toni as | have been assisting her on her other engagements prior to this whenever | have free time. | can say that my time with Kopiko has been one of the major events that comprise my internship experience. On my first day on the field, Ate Toni taught me how to use Aura and Connect, the audit platforms of PwC. | was also taught how to properly communicate with the clients as | will be responsible for doing most of the onsite works. | was excited to be part of the team that will audit Ecossential Foods Corp., the major distributor of Kopiko in the Philippines. EC @SSENTIAL F®@DS Ecossential Foods Corporation is a leading coffee distributor in the Philippines. The company is committed to providing high- quality coffee products and services to its customers while promoting sustainability and social responsibility. Ecossential Foods offers a wide range of coffee products, including single- origin coffee, blends, and specialty coffee, sourced from different parts of the world. The company also offers coffee machines, equipment, and accessories to businesses and individuals.It was my first time learning how to select samples from different financial statement line items and also my first time to perform the test of details. | learned how to be independent on my own because right after my first day, | was the one responsible for reporting to the client's office at least three days a week. | was able to form bonds with the office staff and | was able to manage working without supervision. As an example of the things | did independently was performing the testing for employee payroll, selecting samples for cost of sales, and vouching a lot of other financial line items. With the help of Ate Toni and Ate Nica, | was able to learn how to blend in and build relationships that stand the test of time. They guided me on how to communicate effectively with the client and how to identify the key risks that need to be addressed in the audit engagement. | learned a lot from them and | am grateful for their warm welcome to the team. Overall, my experience with Ecossential Foods Corp. was not only about auditing their financial statements but also about building relationships that last a lifetime. | learned that it is important to work collaboratively with others, to communicate effectively, and to be independent at the same time. It was a great learning experience and it made me more excited about my future career in the field of auditing. = pwe4. Achieving the perkect balance During my internship at PwC, | learned a lot of technical skills related to auditing, such as using audit software like Aura and Connect, selecting samples, performing test of details, and vouching financial statement line items. | also learned how to be independent and manage my workload without constant supervision. Additionally, | gained insights into the corporate culture of PwC and the importance of building relationships with clients and colleagues. Overall, this internship experience has given me a better understanding of what it takes to be a successful auditor, and | believe that this experience has strengthened my skills and knowledge in accounting and auditing. | now have a better appreciation for the importance of attention to detail, communication skills, and the ability to work independently. Looking ahead, | think that this experience has helped me to solidify my future career goals. | am more motivated to pursue a career in auditing, and | believe that the skills and knowledge | have gained during this internship will be valuable in Lastly, | was able to apply what | achieving this goal. | also learned from school in a practical appreciate the importance of setting, which was extremely building and maintaining strong valuable. The internship allowed me _ relationships with clients and to see the relevance of my colleagues, and |) believe that academic studies and how they this will be crucial in my future translate into real-world work.|am Success in the industry. grateful for the opportunity to have gained such a practical experience, which | believe will be beneficial for EE my future endeavors. pweGirewing my Culiure - Final athena My internship experience with PwC has been nothing short of enlightening. From auditing a leading global transition to cleaner energy company to working with a major distributor of Kopiko, | have gained valuable insights that have not only helped me grow professionally, but also as an individual. Through my experience with AG&P, | discovered the art of blending, which taught me the importance of working together and building strong relationships that stand the test of time. It also made me realize the dedication and sacrifices auditors make during busy season, which has prepared me for the challenges that | may face in my future career. Working with Ecossential Foods Corporation, | learned how to be independent and manage my time efficiently, as well as how to properly communicate with clients and perform audit procedures. This experience has given me a glimpse of what it's like to work in the field and has sparked my interest in pursuing a career in auditing. Overall, my internship experience with PwC has not only allowed me to apply what | learned in school, but has also. given me the opportunity to build lasting relationships with my managers, colleagues, and clients. | am grateful for this experience and the knowledge and skills that'| have gained, which will undoubtedly help me as | continue to pursue my future endeavors in the accounting industry. i pwe