Jan Matula

Senior Assistant, Audit

Jan has been with KPMG since August 2004. He has enjoyed his job from the very first moment and thinks that there are not many graduate positions offering similar opportunities.

1. What did you study and why?

I studied at the Economic University in Bratislava, Slovakia, and my specialization was business management. I decided to study economics for a simple reason - we have it in the family. I chose business management and corporate finance because microeconomics is much closer to me than macroeconomics.

2. Did you think about work in KPMG as a student? How did this company attract you?

I already knew about the so-called Big 4, at that time Big 5 of course, during my studies. These companies were the most high profile in presenting themselves. The opportunity for professional and personal growth convinced me to join KPMG.

3. When and how did you hear about KPMG for the first time?

I learned about KPMG as one of the Big 4 companies during my first year at the Economic University when my older mates had started to work for these companies. I got the basic first-hand information from the people who were already working in this field.

4. From the BIG 4, why did you choose KPMG?

It was a bit difficult to pick just one of them objectively as they all presented themselves similarly. This is why many students apply for an interview with all four of them and then decide where they want to work on the basis of their individual interviews. If more than one company offers you a job after the interviews, a personal feeling is the strongest criterion from my point of view. This was the case for me then. Of course, there were some differences in financial rewards as well as other benefits, but those differences aren't that big for graduate positions and a personal feeling or good reference plays a bigger role.

5. What were your concerns when you were deciding to work for KPMG?

I didn't have any concerns when it came to joining KPMG. I had a strong positive feeling.

6. Weren't you scared of the stereotype, which is a dreaded prejudice in this kind of job?

I really don't understand now. Audit and advisory offer you the exact opposite. Even though you have some steps at work which you need to follow and are always the same, you are in an environment of many different companies, meeting different types of people and this kind of work gives you a very good insight which is impossible to achieve working for big financial and accounting centres that employ thousands of graduates every year.

7. What were your first moments like? Did you feel confused or were your colleagues helping you to fit into the team?

From my first moment in KPMG in Slovakia everything felt right. Of course, during the first month you have the feeling like you were thrown into the water but there is always someone to help you if you need something. I didn't have any problem with this.

8. What did you expect from a career in KPMG?

Everybody knows that the turnover rate in the Big 4 is relatively high. For this reason, and as is normal for a first job, you join a company, work for them for a few years and then move on. You start thinking about a real career with KPMG in the third or fourth season when you realize what the company is giving you and that what you are doing now is actually what you want to do in the long run.

9. How were your first moments? Did you feel confused or the colleagues you had were helping you to fit into the team?

From my first moment in KPMG everything was alright. Of course, during the first month you have the feeling, that they threw you into the water but always there is someone who is going to help you if you need something. I didn't have any problem with this.

10. Which positive experiences marked your stay at KPMG?

There are many positive experiences but one really stands out. My years at KPMG in Slovakia gave me a lot from a professional point of view. What you can learn here in the short term is really a lot. The most important thing is that people just can't "fall asleep" right after school but continue in learning. I think that's the greatest benefit in this firm. Moreover, I've met many great people here.

11. When it comes to the professional experience, what did your audit job at KPMG in Slovakia teach you?

In addition to the "pure" audit you learn much more from the leading financial companies, accounting, financial reporting and controlling. This work also teaches you to perceive a company as a whole and understand individual aspects of what it means to lead one. I don't think that many graduate positions can offer similar possibilities.

12. How would you describe your value and your possibilities in the labour market with your long term experience in KPMG?

If someone decides to change their job after gaining long term experience in audit (4-5 years), they are usually hot candidates for managerial positions in financial reporting and controlling in a variety of companies from different industries. I think our value in the labour market is relatively high; of course everything depends on individual skills. I'm very positive about my current labour-market value.