What made me stay, however, was the people. I found myself surrounded by young, open-minded and approachable colleagues who were always willing to answer questions, offer support and share what they knew. I was also fortunate to have a manager who recognised my potential early on and encouraged me to keep pushing myself, as well as senior colleagues who played an important role in my development.
Andrei Jianu 
Experienced Assistant, Audit & Assurance
BDO Romania
Andrei didn't plan to end up at BDO. At 19, during his first year of university, he joined through a recommendation, expecting a temporary experience. Three and a half years later, he is still here, and the reasons have nothing to do with chance.
An unexpected start
Andrei's entry into BDO came through a university recommendation, not a deliberate career choice. He started in a support role for the Audit team and quickly discovered something he hadn't anticipated: he genuinely enjoyed the work. After almost three and a half years, it is still the people and the environment that make BDO special to him.
Belonging, built over time
When Andrei joined at 19, he was nervous. He had little professional experience and expected to feel out of place. What he found instead surprised him.
I found colleagues who were open, approachable and genuinely willing to help. Over time, those professional relationships became much more than that. I have been fortunate to work with the same senior and manager for most of my time in Audit, and they have supported me through both professional and personal challenges. Even as teams have changed, many of those relationships have remained strong. We can still meet for a coffee, talk openly and support each other.
For Andrei, belonging is something that is built over time, and after three and a half years, he can genuinely say that the people he has met at BDO have become an important part of his journey.
Taking ownership, step by step
Growth at BDO, for Andrei, hasn't come from a single moment of responsibility but from a gradual increase in trust.
As I gained experience, I was given more freedom to decide how to approach different tasks, organise the work and contribute to the planning of an audit. I naturally enjoy the organisational side of things, so I often take responsibility for keeping track of deadlines, reminding the team about important points and identifying potential issues before they become problems.
He has also had the opportunity to lead when working with interns and junior colleagues, deciding how to organise their work and guide them through it. What made this possible, he says, was the trust his manager and senior colleagues placed in him while remaining available whenever he needed advice.
Development beyond the technical
When Andrei reflects on what professional growth has meant at BDO, the answer goes well beyond skills and certifications.
One of the most valuable things has been having people around me who were willing to give me honest feedback and different perspectives. Conversations with senior colleagues, managers, directors and partners have helped me understand not only how to do my work better, but also how to look at the bigger picture. These experiences have made me realise that professional development is not only about gaining technical knowledge. It is also about learning how to communicate, take responsibility, support others and recognise your own strengths and areas for improvement.
What motivates him now
Andrei's motivation today is shaped by where he has been and where he wants to go.
What motivates me most is the desire to keep developing and to become someone others can rely on. I particularly enjoy working with junior colleagues and explaining things to them. Earlier in my career, I was the one asking questions and relying on more experienced colleagues to help me understand how things worked. Now, being able to pass that knowledge on to someone else is genuinely rewarding. It is also a good reminder of how much I have learned along the way.