Hedieh Haghighi, senior audit manager at Reanda, started working in accounting and audit eighteen years ago. “It was a different time back then. You had your folder and a lot of files, and soft skills weren’t really a thing yet.” But the profession kept changing over time and that was just the thing Hedieh needed. And still needs.
“Audit has changed over time and I like that change. When I started, audit wasn’t this… open yet. We didn’t have communication with all the parties. And over time, we changed from only working on the technical side of audit to softer skills as well. Every year, audit changes and every year there’s something else I like about it. Now people also want more information about their non-financials. Working on the same thing each year would be boring. I look for something more, something different. I like change. It’s what keeps it interesting.”
Sharing knowledge
After studying accounting at the university of Tehran and working in audit in Iran, Hedieh came to the Netherlands in 2013. She continued her studies at the Vrije Universiteit to become a registered accountant. “And then I never left. The VU feels like home. It’s beautiful in my eyes. I love spending time there. I studied the Dutch language there and continued my studies up to the post-master RA.”
And even now Hedieh still never left the VU. Besides her full time job at Reanda, Hedieh works at the VU Amsterdam as a corrector (guest lecturer), supporting RA students in advancing their technical knowledge and analytical skills. “I coach students and review their assignments and exams each week. What I look for is whether they can link the theoretical and practical aspects. Can they act as a partner to their clients and colleagues, and apply their knowledge to real cases?”
“If I know something, I want everybody else to know that as well,”
Hedieh Haghighi – Senior Audit Manager at Reanda Netherlands.
Coaching and support
At Reanda, Hedieh continues supporting RA students. “I’ve been here for about five months now. It feels longer, with everything that I’ve taken on; new clients, contributing to the internal quality and work on an audit manual, and I work as a practical trainer for RA trainees. As a registered accountant, I train colleagues in the practical aspects of their RA program and also help them with their university studies when they struggle to understand and apply theoretical knowledge.”
That is indeed a lot in just a few months. However, “It’s easy to combine doing something that you love. And I like sharing what I know; if I know something, I want someone else to know that as well. Otherwise we cannot make sure the quality is the same. If we want good quality we should teach everybody the knowledge that we have, then we get more knowledge and learn from each other.”
Reanda’s international mindset – at another level
The mindset of wanting to share knowledge, let it go around, fits exactly with Reanda’s Collective Wisdom. “That’s true! But I applied at Reanda because it was their international mindset that drew my attention. At my previous company, I specialized in healthcare. I really loved that,” she says in an excited whisper. “But that specialization is Dutch. And in the end, I missed my background. I missed working with international clients and colleagues. So that’s what I went for. I worked with international clients before, but here, now, at Reanda, it’s at another level.”
Following the same path
After applying, Hedieh saw the emphasis Reanda placed on quality and it was something that spoke to her. “I am proud of the work I do. I want to see the impact we have on society and Reanda also sees that it’s important we are doing a really good job in our field. They are fast growing and everything is done with a passion. It spoke to me what Reanda is trying to do and where they are going in the future. It’s in line with my own personal convictions. We follow the same path. That’s why I chose Reanda.”
“I saw the emphasis Reanda places on quality; that really spoke to me.”
Now five months later, Hedieh is proud to work at Reanda and contribute. “I’m really enjoying it. I like being with my colleagues. Everyone is free, open, and flexible. They are open to change, to new challenges. That’s why I enjoy working here, with them. These months have been really nice. I was looking for more challenge, wanting to work on more quality, and on a personal level. To be important, feel important, take more responsibility. I am happy to be part of this organisation and its growth.”
