The people at the audit firm had stronger personalities than any other organization I've worked for, so I've summarized the eccentric people I met by rank!
・Peer 1
Financial Services Division peer. Keio Economics graduate. The rowdy type who screams the firm's name at drinking parties or jumps into ponds during training camps. Often invites peers to mixers with emails titled "Going Concern (GC)." He also has a serious side, organizing regular study groups on various themes.
・Peer 2
Financial Services Division peer. Hitotsubashi Economics graduate. The smartest of the group, having ranked in the single digits in mock exams during his student days. Quiet at first glance, but talks a lot when drinking. He tends to be shy at client sites, but his knowledge and work performance are highly valued. He married his college girlfriend in his first year of work. I think this is the type of person who eventually becomes a partner.
・Senior 1
Senior in the Financial Services Division. Always looks pale and mumbles. Once, at a client site during a non-busy period, he suddenly put on an eye mask and started sleeping. When the person in charge scolded him, he snapped, "Why is a cigarette break okay but sleeping isn't?" I never saw him at a client site again after that.
・Senior 2
Senior in the Financial Services Division. Keio Commerce graduate. From a tennis club known as the flashiest at Keio. Attended Tsukukoma for middle and high school. Realized he wasn't good at studying and became cynical about life. Despite being married, he goes to mixers 2-3 times a week for some reason and often complains of painful urination. His hobby is traveling to Thailand. He is strangely knowledgeable about impairment accounting—perhaps his own life has been impaired as well?
・Senior (Staff)
A mid-career hire who quit a bank to take the CPA exam. Because of his prior work experience, he is well-regarded for his client handling and for looking after junior staff. Since CPA salaries were lower than he expected and he has a mortgage, he never goes out for lunch and always brings a bento.
・Manager
Ace manager in the Financial Services Division. Todai Economics graduate. Passed the exam in his 3rd year of undergrad and worked as a student part-timer. Because he fast-tracked, he looks mature but is actually quite young. A pro who finds issues just by scanning variance analysis or cash flow statements. He looks cold but is quite diligent in mentoring juniors. Perhaps because he has played baseball since elementary school, he values the spirit of teamwork. He plays pitcher, but he got crushed in the four-firm tournament; unfortunately, his baseball skills are just a hobby he's not very good at.
・Senior Manager
A US CPA who doesn't have the Japanese license. He seems poor at both English and accounting. He tries to assert his presence by nitpicking kanji or grammar in work papers. He stays in power by being a sycophant to a powerful partner, but he will never become a partner himself. He serves as a "negative role model" for everyone's career, showing how one is treated when they lack the ability to change jobs and are stuck in the organization.
・Partner
One of the few female partners in the Financial Services Division. She often speaks at diversity events promoting a "women-friendly workplace," but her own working hours are about 90 per week. Managers often had nightmares about emails arriving from her at 3 AM. Famous for micro-management and intense progress checks; her 172cm height adds to the pressure.
・Senior Partner 1
Scary-looking and often intimidates with "Why did you think this audit procedure was okay? Are you mocking me?" But he's actually a big deal—a member of the ASBJ and the only Asian member for the firm's global IFRS committee. He has high-level chats with accounting heads of giant listed companies about the future direction of standards. Having worked in NY for years, his English is excellent. Single, and a true big shot who pays for everyone's drinks out of his own pocket.
・Senior Partner 2
A senior partner known as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" of the firm. The actual head of the Financial Services Division. He always wears a forced smile to hide his bloodlust, but everyone fears him. Nicknamed "The General Secretary" behind his back. A hardcore worker who is always in his office on weekends. He is married with two kids, though no one can imagine how his family life works.
He remembers the names of junior staff and former client employees. He is strict on quality control; he doesn't scream, but he tightens the noose by saying, "Let's review that procedure you definitely should have done, just in case." Managers under him often leave due to mental health issues. He is the embodiment of a leader in a professional firm, excelling in both sales and defense.
In his private life, he reportedly enjoys baths that cost 100,000 yen.
