From tax specialist to audit enthusiast: Chris Bor’s secondment experience

Over the past three months, we've had the pleasure of welcoming Chris Bor from Stolp+KAB, our Netherlands office, where he's on secondment transitioning from Tax to Audit.

In this Q&A, Chris shares his unique experiences, insights, and challenges during his time with us, offering a glimpse into his journey of exploring a new field while adapting to a different professional environment. Let's dive into his reflections on this exciting phase of his career development. 

1. Tell us about your background and what bought you to Lubbock Fine for a secondment? 

It all began a year and a half ago when I met Rebecca Bryant at one of the Russell Bedford International conferences. During our conversation, we explored the possibility of me joining LF for a summer secondment. As someone who had always been keen to live and work abroad for a few months, I was immediately drawn to the idea. Fast forward 18 months, and here I am! With LF being so centrally located in London, I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity.

2. Can you describe a typical day in the audit team? How does it differ from what you do in the Netherlands?

I usually start my day with a large cup of coffee – despite being in the land of tea, I still prefer my coffee! After that, I typically catch up with the colleagues I'm working with to plan out the tasks for the day, ensuring everything is organised and my priorities are clear. From there, it’s about focusing on the work, with a chance to explore new lunch spots. My work here in London has been quite different from what I’m used to back home, where I focus more on tax and legal matters. Audit has been a completely new and exciting challenge for me! 

3. What have been some of the highlights or most rewarding aspects of your time with us?

There’s a lot to choose from! In my first week, I got to attend the annual firmwide Away Day, which was a great way to meet many people. I’ve also enjoyed the other socials—winning the pub quiz would’ve been nice, but it wasn’t in the cards that day.

On the work front, I’ve really appreciated the opportunity to go onsite to clients. Being directly involved in client interactions and seeing how the team operates in real world settings gave me a deeper understanding of the audit process. It also provided valuable insight into the client’s business, allowing me to contribute more meaningfully. This hands-on experience made me feel like a genuine part of the team, as I could see the direct impact of our work and collaborate more closely with both colleagues and clients. 

4. What did the firm do to make you feel welcome and settle into the role?  
 
Quite a few things! I’ve already mentioned the annual social, but on my very first day, I was taken out for lunch, and we had after-work drinks, which was a lovely way to start. Being invited to client meetings early on also made me feel welcomed and integrated into the team. I’ve also appreciated how welcoming all my colleagues have been—always open to a help and support.

5. Is there anything you’ll take back from this secondment that you feel has been particularly valuable?

Yes, there’s a lot of things! To start off with a little cliche (I mean, what’s a Q&A without a cliche, right?). All the friends and connections I made over here, those are invaluable! For all the people who thought they got rid of me after September, I’m sorry, you’ll keep hearing from me every now and then! Furthermore, I now have a more extensive knowledge about audits in general, the behind the scenes, the process, what to do, and what not to do. And bonus points, I’ve also figured out how to get under the skin of auditors, and I can’t wait to have some fun testing it out on my Dutch colleagues back home

6. What’s one British quirk you’ve encountered during your time here that you found particularly amusing or surprising?

I’ve really come to enjoy the unique charm of British pub culture – there’s something so inviting about spending time in a cozy pub, chatting with friends over a pint. On a different note, I’ve also developed a bit of a tea habit during my time here – I never realised how much I’d enjoy it! It’s a tradition I’m planning to take back with me to Holland.

Thinking about your next steps? 

If you’re considering a career with us, please do reach out to recruitment@lubbockfine.co.uk. We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals, who are eager to grow and make an impact in the world of audit and beyond. Whether you have questions about specific roles, our company culture, or the application process, our recruitment team is here to help you every step of the way. We’d love to hear from you and explore the possibility of welcoming you to our team!