Women in professional services Review

Even though it's a one-day event, the schedule is packed with interactive and informative sessions designed to offer genuine insight into life at Forvis Mazars.
10:00 AM – Welcome & Introduction
Participants are welcomed by the Early Careers Team.
A short overview of Forvis Mazars, its values, culture, and structure.
Keynote Speaker
A senior female leader shares her career journey and insights into professional services.
Covers challenges, successes, and advice for aspiring professionals.
Networking & Personal Brand Workshop
A session focused on helping students develop their personal brand.
Includes practical advice on networking and standing out in a competitive field.
Panel Q&A
Interactive discussion with a panel of Forvis Mazars employees, from recent graduates to experienced professionals.
Students can ask questions about roles, day-to-day work, and progression.
Interactive Business Simulation
A hands-on group activity simulating real scenarios from audit, advisory, or tax.
Students take on different roles and work through a case study together.
Careers & Recruitment Insight
Overview of the application and selection process for internships and graduate roles.
Tips on preparing CVs, handling interviews, and succeeding at assessment centres.
Lunch & Networking
Informal networking lunch with team members across departments.
A relaxed opportunity to ask questions and build connections.
Wrap-Up & Feedback
Summary of the day and key takeaways.
Students are encouraged to reflect on what they learned and complete feedback forms.
Information on how to apply for further opportunities with Forvis Mazars.
Key Takeaways for Attendees
Exposure to the different areas within professional services.
Development of soft skills such as networking and communication.
Understanding of the firm's culture and values.
Connections with professionals and fellow students.
Early access to apply for future internship opportunities.

Structured “Service Line” Introductions
Early on, a senior facilitator walked us through the firm’s three core service lines—Audit & Assurance, Tax & Legal, and Advisory (which itself spans everything from Transaction Services to Risk Consulting). Rather than a dry slide‑deck, each segment was brought to life with real‑world examples of client projects, showing you exactly what each team does on a day‑to‑day basis and the kind of value they deliver.
Live Q&A with Practitioners
Immediately after each service‑line overview, small‑group Q&As with professionals currently working in those teams gave us the chance to drill down on “a day in the life.” We heard, for instance, what an audit trainee’s week looks like during busy season versus quieter months, and how a tax consultant balances multiple client deadlines and long‑term planning work.

Skills Developed
1. Communication Skills
Through networking sessions, group activities, and panel discussions.
Practicing how to present ideas clearly and engage in professional conversations.
2. Teamwork and Collaboration
Working in groups during the business simulation exercise.
Learning how to collaborate with others under time pressure and divide tasks effectively.
3. Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Analysing case studies and scenarios in the simulation task.
Making decisions based on limited information, similar to real-life client work.
4. Commercial Awareness
Gaining insight into how professional services firms operate.
Understanding the roles of audit, advisory, and tax in business contexts.
5. Personal Branding
Learning how to present yourself professionally, both in person and online.
Identifying unique strengths and how to communicate them to employers.
6. Confidence and Public Speaking
Asking questions in panel sessions and interacting with professionals.
Presenting ideas and engaging in group discussions in a formal setting.
7. Networking Skills
Developing the ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
Practicing how to approach and connect with people in a business environment.
8. Career Planning
Understanding the different pathways within the firm.
Gaining clarity on next steps, such as summer internships and graduate schemes.

Open, flat‑hierarchy environment: From the moment you arrived, the event space felt more like a shared workshop than a formal lecture hall. Partners, managers and trainees all mixed freely—there was no sense of “ivory tower,” and everyone was encouraged to speak up, ask questions and challenge assumptions.
Bright Network
Genuine inclusivity and respect for individuals: The firm’s stated commitment to diversity wasn’t just lip‑service. Throughout the day, you saw people from varied backgrounds sharing their stories, and facilitators actively sought everyone’s input. This mirrored their core value of “Diversity and respect for individuals,” where open‑mindedness is treated as a driver of innovation.

Culture Fit:
I left confident that Forvis Mazars isn’t just another big firm. Their emphasis on wellbeing, diversity and flexible working felt baked into every interaction, not just thrown in at the end. That alignment between what they preach and what they practice made me excited about the prospect of working there.
Room for Improvement:
The only thing I’d adjust is timing—some of the workshops felt slightly rushed, especially when you’re gearing up to ask follow‑up questions. A little extra buffer between sessions would allow deeper dives where you really want them

Yes