What It Is Like Being A Senior Internal Auditor At Compass Diversified
Suzanne's career path in internal audit, spanning over 20 years, reflects a preference for "combining...proclivity for numbers" with "affinity for personal interaction," unlike the demanding hours of external audit. This career choice has allowed a better "work-life balance," enabling Suzanne to successfully juggle motherhood and a fulfilling career at Compass Diversified, a company prioritizing family-friendly policies.
Internal Audit, Work-Life Balance, Accounting, Finance, Math and Science
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Suzanne Couch
Sr Internal Auditor
Compass Diversified
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina Master of Accounting
Biology & Related Sciences
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Suzanne enjoys the combination of analytical skills (math and science) and interpersonal interaction in her role as a Sr. Internal Auditor.
2. She highlights a better work-life balance in internal audit compared to external audit, mentioning fewer late nights and more flexibility.
3. Suzanne emphasizes that her company, Compass Diversified, is understanding of family needs, promoting a positive work-life balance. This is a key aspect of her job satisfaction
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your industry?
What do I enjoy most? I think it's the fact that it combines my proclivity for numbers. I've always had a math and science mind.
It also combines that with my affinity for personal interaction. I'm not a tax accountant; I don't have to sit alone in a room. I get to go out and mingle with other people. That just makes me happier as a person.
I work in internal audit. I did a very brief time in external audit. In school, it was always kind of sold to us that external audit was where you went and put your time in the trenches, and it was a badge of honor.
Internal audit was kind of like not the easier way out, but not as intense. You're not working until 10, 11, or 12 o'clock at night on the regular like you would in external audit.
I've been in internal audit for probably over 20 years now, and the quality of life is just so much better. There are certainly days where you work late, especially at the end of the year.
Working for a place like Compass, they're very understanding of your family, and that work isn't absolutely everything. They're happy to work around things to make there be an actual work-life balance. They always said there was work-life balance in external audit, but I don't think anyone ever saw it.
Internal audit has definitely afforded me the ability to be both a mom and an employee and feel like I'm actually doing a decent job at both.
Advizer Personal Links