Gonçalo Magalhães de Almeida

During my 2nd year of college, I was studying Economics at ISEG, without having a clear idea of ​​what I wanted to do when I entered the job market. With the clear fear of embarking on something routine and monotonous, I joined and ran ISEG Junior Business Consulting (a junior consulting firm, formed by college students), which not only allowed me to acquire a set of skills that I would not have acquired otherwise, but also to have contact with PwC, through a partnership protocol established between both organizations.

From that moment on, it was not only obvious what I wanted to do in the future, but also where I wanted to do it! Fortunately, I had the opportunity to closely follow the internships that were being offered at PwC, having the opportunity to successfully participate in the recruitment of an area that at that time meant nothing to me, but which even had a sexy and catchy name – Forensic Services.

The idea of ​​working in an area that resembles a financial crime CSI, in practice, becomes a set of services that aim to support our clients in preventing, detecting and investigating financial crimes (e.g. fraud, corruption and money laundering). Additionally, it is still part of our daily routine to act as financial experts or technicians in dispute and litigation situations, implement and operate reporting channels and verify the integrity and reputation of third parties that interact with our clients.

As it is an area that deals with delicate issues that often differ from client to client, the unpredictability, exhaustiveness, attention to detail and structuring of analyses are factors that make the learning curve long. For these reasons, it was not initially easy to deal with the frustration of the error, even considering it normal and part of the growth process. At that time, and as in many subsequent phases of my career, the solution was to be able to put things into perspective, continually improve and move forward!

After more than 10 years, the results have been extremely positive! Regardless of the concerns that arise from the seniority that one acquires, it is quite stimulating to be in an environment in which we are constantly exposed to different realities and challenges and in which we are always learning. One of the main current challenges in my career is undoubtedly related to the sense of responsibility in actively contributing to the sustainable growth of the activity in my area, in a context of particular economic uncertainty.

Finally, but most importantly – people. Particularly at a company like PwC, people are the driver for everything we do. I can say that if I have no other professional experience to compare it to, it is largely due to the fact that I feel good in a place where people are truly a priority and their emotional well-being is valued.

For those interested in the areas of consulting and auditing, I strongly recommend that you try your luck here. On our side, we will be here to (well) welcome you!

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Gonçalo Magalhães de Almeida, 
^{Forensic Services Director at PwC Portugal}