The first 90 days with Shraddha Parmar!
Q: Can you tell us about your role at BNN?
Shraddha: So far, I’ve primarily been working on a lot of SOX jobs, which I find really engaging. I enjoy collaborating with clients to assist them in implementing their internal controls. It’s a team effort, and that’s been a really enjoyable experience. The work feels like solving a puzzle—we’re given the support, and then we have to figure out how it fits in with what we’re actually trying to look for from an internal control framework standpoint.
Q: What was your work experience like before coming to BNN?
Shraddha: Before joining BNN, I interned at Dell Technologies during the summers of 2022 and 2023. Prior to that, in the summer of my freshman year of college, I worked at a small biotech company called Keros Therapeutics. The accounting team there was quite small, with only about 6 to 7 people, and I worked as a staff accountant, focusing on the accounts payable side. It’s interesting to go from a very small accounting firm to a huge team at Dell, which had over 30 different accounting teams. Now, working at a public accounting firm, I can reflect on the diverse experiences I’ve had in the accounting field.
Q: Where did you go to school?
Shraddha: I went to Bentley University and graduated in May 2024. I majored in accounting and minored in finance and IDCC, which is Information Design in Corporate Communication. IDCC is focused on solving complex real-world problems using innovative UX and PR methods.
Q: Was it a big jump going from a traditional accounting education and background to doing internal control work?
Shraddha: During my senior year, I took more audit-focused classes where internal controls were a topic of focus. It’s fascinating to see the “buzzwords” and concepts from class come to life in my work. Gaining this kind of experience has been valuable. Before joining BNN, I worked more on the internal accounting side, so it’s interesting to see the parallels. At BNN, I’m now more focused on auditing clients, whereas in internal accounting, I essentially helped create the work that would eventually get audited.
Q: With internal controls, you have to closely work with a client. How’s that been?
Shraddha: I’ve had the opportunity to sit in on a couple meetings with controllers and VPs, which has been really exciting. It’s great to interact with people in higher-level positions within the client’s company—something you might not always get to do working in internal accounting. I always have my senior or an experienced staff member guiding me through the process. I’m naturally curious and love asking questions, so it’s nice that everyone is happy to answer and guide me along the way.
Q: How have you felt supported in your role as a new staff?
Shraddha: I work closely with seniors and experienced staff who have been in my shoes not too long ago. They don’t expect us to know everything and are always ready to answer any questions we have. When you graduate college, you might think, “I need to know everything right away,” but that’s not the reality. It’s reassuring to have people who support you and your learning. I’ve never felt afraid to reach out to seniors, managers, or even partners. Everyone’s so friendly, and I think that helps with having a smaller size firm because you do build that sense of community.
Q: Can you talk a little bit about the office culture in Boston?
Shraddha: We definitely have a young spirit in the Boston office where everyone is very friendly and jokes around. There’s never a dull moment, especially when Mark Audi is in the office—he always brings a lot of energy and makes everyone feel welcome. Even as a new hire, having a partner check in on me makes me feel valued and part of the team. In the office overall there’s a strong sense of respect and camaraderie amongst everyone. I particularly enjoy our lunches, where we all pack into the conference room to chat and eat. Tuesdays and Thursdays are especially fun days to be in the office.
Q: How have the first 90 days been?
Shraddha: Naturally, I was scared starting this new chapter in my career. But once I got my feet wet, it wasn’t as scary. Now, I feel much more comfortable and settled in. I’m still continuing to build relationships with everyone and have established a good routine.
Q: What surprised you about your first couple months?
Shraddha: The biggest surprise has been the transition into the working world. My entire life has been working towards starting my career. I thought it would be this huge change from being in college. At the end of the day, though, we’re still interacting with people, and everyone still has fun personalities. I thought every day would be the same, and maybe even a little mundane, but I’m actually having a lot of fun. I don’t have to leave my personality at the door when I go into work mode!
Q: What’s been your favorite moment so far?
Shraddha: My favorite time of day is when we’re all in the conference room at work, and we’re all chatting and having lunch.
Q: Do you have an area or an industry in the accounting field that you’re passionate about or interested in exploring in the future?
Shraddha: Banking is definitely an interest of mine, which ties back to my finance background as well. It’s interesting to be able to see how things operate from the accounting standpoint in the banking industry.
Q: What made you want to work for BNN?
Shraddha: One of the key selling points for me was what busy season hours would be. I wanted to make sure the firm I worked for valued a work/life balance. I also wanted to work for a mid-sized firm. In bigger companies or firms, you might be pigeon-holed into a specific client or a specific type of work that you’re doing. Here, even in my first couple of months, I’ve been exposed to so many different parts of the industry. You’re growing and learning more, and that’s very important to me. BNN’s culture also was and is a huge selling point.
Q: And you also get to study for the CPA exam?
Shraddha: Yes! I just passed my third CPA exam, which I’m super happy about. The managers and the BNN team are very accommodating—you just need to keep an open conversation. Before an exam, they even blocked off a day in my calendar so I had time to study, which was really nice.
Q: What advice would you have for incoming staff in future classes?
Shraddha: Don’t shy away from questions. The people you are working with have been in your shoes and have felt what you’re feeling. Be curious, and really understand what you’re doing and the why behind it. When you solidify your accounting knowledge and foundation, you can apply it to other areas too. Learning never stops!