Growing up …
Growing up, I always imagined myself in a corporate attire, yes, you read that right. Not even a doctor’s coat or pilot’s uniform, corporate vibe always. I imagined myself carrying a briefcase (haha), wearing formal, being in a meeting and presenting. I didn’t know what I exactly wanted to become at that age but I sure did know I wanted to be in an office. As I grew, I discovered my passion to be an Accountant. Hence, I completed my Degree in Accounting & Finance from SEGi University and embarked my childhood passion to be in the corporate field.
After College …
I started off my career in Big Four Audit firms such as PWC ( PWC careers )and Ernst & Young ( EY ) ( EY careers )where I gained the real-world knowledge on International Taxation (New Zealand Individual Taxation), People Advisory Services (Malaysian Individual Taxation), Global Compliance & Reporting (Malaysian Corporate Taxation) and of course Audit (Hospitality, Property & Infrastructure).
Being in Big Four is like sharpening a pencil, go in blunt and come out sharp. Yes, as crazy and stressful it is being there, it as also a place where you will have the opportunity to revamp yourself.
Nikki Toor
Apart from the technical knowledge you gain off your daily task, you are also given the golden card to work on your soft skills. From how to dress up professionally, looking presentable to upskilling your basic English and drafting the right email. Even the spacing in an email mattered! I would say journey in Big Four came at the right time. I was a fresh graduate and just like water, I was ready to take the form of the container but like the water molecules my drive and goals never changed.
Changing Industry …
Then came an opportunity which I never thought of, Banking specifically Custodian Bank. The choice of working in Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) was made easy as I was still pursuing my new profound passion in Taxation. Joined the RBC I&TS – Tax Operation team in 2019 and besides the Taxation knowledge it gave me the opportunity to learn more on Risk Evaluation Mindset, Control & Governance, Escalation Management, Crisis Handling, Payments & Reconciliation and Conducting Training as Subject Matter Expert (SME). I would say I was there at the right time, the journey in Tax Operation gave me the opportunity to work with RBC I&TS leaders from across the globe, all that in just 2 years in RBC.
Why I stayed ?
RBC’s values and CSR just resonates with me. That made me stay in RBC and continue my journey with one of RBC’s best offered opportunity; Malaysian Client Operational Rotational Programme (MCORP). After 3 level interview I was now part of the 24months rotational programme giving me on an opportunity to rotate to 4 different business areas within RBC.
Being an MCORP it gives me an opportunity to work closely with the business leaders to optimize existing processes, reduce redundant tasks, analyze error & omission report, review controls and deliver efficiency targets. The expectation is also to support relevant functions in any crisis, being the go-to person for deep dives, audit issues and client issues. At the end of each rotation, I am given an opportunity to provide recommendations based on my findings. Golden opportunity!
Final thoughts ?
That summarizes my career pathway so far, I am the “I love Corporate Job” person because there is just so much to learn every day! I am so grateful to be having all the opportunities coming my way at the right time. In my 5 years of journey I have had the opportunity to work with various leaders and all I can say is leaders can be trained all you need to have is the fire within you and I have seen the fire in the leaders I worked with. I thank each and everyone I have crossed path with, because if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be where I am as I believe “everyone you cross path in life is there for a reason, good or bad”.
Now while I continue my journey, I would also like to give myself the opportunity to venture my long awaited passion of writing hence this blog was created.
Let the journey begin…
Check out some of the shots I manage to get my hands on;
