Heikki's career story – how did I become a tax consultant?

During our Christmas luncheon with my colleagues, we discussed how hardly any of us expected becoming a tax expert when we grow up. As awesome as this profession is, I must admit that it doesn’t quite compete with a child’s typical dream of becoming a policeman, driver, or an ironman. While I was studying for my degree, one thing led to another, and as my knowledge and competence accumulated, it set the direction for my current profession.

Now at the age of thirty something, I have some work and life experience behind me and hopefully I can look forward to several decades more of it. Even though I have not been able to always wish or plan things as anticipated, in retrospect I think that many lucky coincidences just happened to come along the road that led to my career as a tax consultant.

Finding Motivational factors that brought a new boost in my work

Right after high school, I went to study at a university because I was interested in economics and it seemed like a good way to become part of the professional world. Once I was at the university, I ended up majoring in accounting and tax law. After creating a career of a few years with the Tax Authorities, working on different jobs, I wanted to find out what it would be like to work in a private sector and after a few twists and turns along the way, I ended up as a tax consultant at PwC in 2018. Still at PwC, I know I chose the right path for me.

Over the years, I have learned to recognise certain personally important motivational factors related to my work that at high school, university, or even at the early stage of my career, I would have been unable to put into words or define. I am sure that many of us have been motivated by public images of fancy sounding titles, power, respect, and wealth, when making career choices. However, it is important to be reminded of the fact that this is not a lasting way to plan your future and career.  We must find what is meaningful to us in our work and do the kind of things that we enjoy, and often success will follow too.

I can honestly say that these days I get my motivation from other people, meeting them and succeeding with my clients and colleagues. These are important motivational factors to me personally, and also part of my personal characteristics. The same way as someone may get highly motivated about an excel sheet, while another person is motivated about interesting court cases. Luckily these and much more are part of a tax consultant’s versatile job.

The best things about being a tax consultant are satisfied clients and nice colleagues

Working with clients at PwC is interesting, challenging and versatile. Your clients may include swift recently launched start-up companies, decades-old family companies, private individuals, corporations or Finland’s or the world’s biggest listed companies. However, they all have a common denominator. When a client comes to PwC, we can help them solve important problems. It is always unique and remarkable to fulfil a commitment to a client and create trust in society while adhering to PwC’s principles.

The best guarantee behind successful relations with clients is your colleagues. In a large organisation you are not alone, but rather there is a competent individual to fill every role. Although the standards are set high, ambition is at a healthy level, workplace culture is relaxed, and there is a harmonious balance between work and leisure time.

Then again, when your co-workers are so nice, you end up spending time with them even in your free time. Last autumn I found a new hobby when a colleague asked me to join in a CrossFit session. After that I have started practising it regularly with some colleagues.
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Heikki Liukkonen, Tax Consultant, People and Organisation, PwC Finland