Week 4 – Visits From Home

Aideen Conneely

The JSOX project I am working on here in New York is starting to pick up pace as we head towards deadlines. My team are working closely together to assist one another on completing our work to the high standard expected of EisnerAmper. It is beneficial to have a team with such a great knowledge of the work they are performing as we can bounce queries off each other and take full advantage of our individual knowledge within the specific areas.

This past weekend, my brother and his girlfriend came to visit from Ireland. It was great to have visitors from home to catch up with and show around the city. My brother Kevin, his girlfriend Megan, our friend Kate who is also working in the city and I made the most of the wide range of cuisines available in New York. We had dinner at a delicious Korean BBQ restaurant that showed stunning views of the Manhattan Skyline, pictured above.

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Week 3 – Building Relationships

Aideen Conneely

We are well under way with our internal audit assignment. The assignment team have all been designated internal controls for which they are in charge of testing. This includes performing walkthroughs with the client, obtaining relevant back up and documenting on the internal EisnerAmper client file. We are building relationships with both our EisnerAmper team and assigned clients through these procedures and we are becoming more comfortable in our new positions.

As life can be very busy in such a large city, it is nice to get out and take advantage of Central Park. Last weekend I explored the park and all it has to offer including, the large ice skating rink, local artists and vast expanse.

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Week 2 – Getting Acquainted

Aideen Conneely

Having become acquainted with our new team and management here in New York, myself and Shane have commenced our scheduled work on the JSOX element of the internal audit engagement. This engagement includes ensuring that the internal controls of the main company align with the specific controls of the company looking to acquire them. We are enjoying our work here with our EA US colleagues and quickly learning new aspects on the job.

While in New York, it is important to make the most of all that is offered. This week I went to see The Book of Mormon on Broadway. The production and cast were world class and it is a definite must see for anyone visiting the city.

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Week 1 – Settling In

Shane Mooney

My colleague Aideen and I have settled in nicely to New York. We are working on client site as part of a team of seven, with our office only a 20 minute walk from our apartment. We have spent the past few weeks familiarising ourselves with the software used by EisnerAmper LLP and getting to know our new colleagues.

Last weekend I went to a comedy show in Greenwich Village with my Eisneramper Ireland colleagues Ruairi, Joey, Cian and Aideen. We attended the comedy show to watch a member of EisnerAmper LLP perform on stage. It was a very enjoyable night and we had the opportunity to catch up afterwards, having been working in different offices for the last few months. I plan to visit Ellis Island this weekend and see more tourist attractions.

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Week 21 – Summer in Full Swing!

Joey Halligan

I spent the majority of last week working closely with Shaun Boyle on his handover as he is returning to Ireland for study leave. My client has begun to provide more of the information we require for the audit, so it is starting to progress at a faster pace. The secondment has been a great experience so far and I have learned a vast amount of knowledge from working with the Managers and Partners on the job.

We have been making the most of the great weather which has been between 27-32 degrees celsius for the last two weeks. Myself and my fellow secondee Ruairi Feehan decided to explore the west side of Manhattan last week and go for a walk along Chelsea Pier. We are looking forward to celebrating the 4th of July with our American colleagues this week.

Week 20 – Day Trip to Brooklyn

Ruairi Feehan

The engagement I’m working on is providing me with invaluable experience in relation to US GAAP.  For example, I’ve learned all about push-down accounting which is not permitted under IFRS. I’m continuing to enjoy the experience of working in New York and New Jersey.

Over the weekend, I went to Brooklyn for a day out. I haven’t been out of Manhattan all that often. My visit to Brooklyn was one of the most enjoyable days I’ve experienced since arriving here 20 weeks ago! It was a beautiful day and it was nice to get out of the city and spend some time in one of NYC other borough’s.

Week 19 – My Last Week

Shaun Boyle

It’s hard to believe that my 6 month secondment is coming to an end. I’ve made some good friends and gained valuable experiences during my time in New York. It has been a pleasure working with my colleagues in both New York and New Jersey. This week I have been conducting analysis on accounts receivable and inventory reserves while also gathering our queries relating to the journal entry testing performed. As I’m finishing up next week I’m putting together a handover for the senior replacing me. This job has been very challenging but I’m glad that I had the opportunity to work on it.

As this weekend will be my last in New York, Ruairi and I are planning on heading to Brooklyn one last time with a couple of friends from EA US. Joey will be back with us on Sunday and I’m sure there will be one last party in the big apple before I depart.

Week 18 – Aidan’s Fond Farewell!

Joey Halligan

In the last few days, I’ve been focusing on some of the more technical areas of my audit. This has been challenging and I’ve been in close contact with my manager when working on these sections. There have also been a number of new staff which have been added to the audit team who I met with during the week.

Last weekend we said goodbye to our colleague, Aidan Lundy, who finished his secondment with us. We celebrated his last night by going to McSorley’s Old Ale House which is considered to be the oldest bar in New York.

Week 18 – Audit Work

Ruairi Feehan 

I continue to gain valuable experience working on my audit.  There’s always a lot of work to do including reviewing junior members’ work and providing support where required.  My working hours are split between working at the client’s offices in New Jersey and New York and I’m enjoying the experience of working in different environments.

Last week, we said goodbye to our dear friend, Aidan Lundy, who returned to Ireland.  To see Aidan off in style we went to Sparks Steakhouse, one of New York’s most well-known steakhouses for an excellent steak!  We were joined by three of our EisnerAmper US colleagues and one former EA US Manager.  Aidan shall be dearly missed!

Week 17 – Last Week in NYC!

Aidan Lundy

This is my last week in New York so I have been busy ensuring my handover and sections are complete. The audit will continue over the coming months so it is important that I pass on what I have learned onto the new Seniors on the engagement.

It is hard to believe it is time to leave New York. The past four months have been challenging but rewarding. I have learnt a huge amount and made many new connections within EA LLP while also building on relationships from my previous secondment here. Myself, Joey, Shaun and Ruairi enjoyed another trip to Boston over the weekend. We enjoyed watching game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Week 17 – Boston Weekend

Shaun Boyle

Myself and my fellow Secondee Joseph Halligan were back at our client’s office in Massachusetts last week to finish the receivables and inventory testing for 2017. We are hoping to start the 2018 audit soon. I’m travelling back to Ireland on Saturday for the week and I will complete a handover with Joseph before I go so that my audit areas can continue while I’m away.

Myself, Joseph, Aidan and Ruairi spent last weekend in Boston. On Saturday, we watched the Champions League final followed by Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final where Boston Bruins triumphed over the Saint Louis Blues 7 – 2. We then spent Sunday exploring the city.

Week 16 – Learning New Skills

Ruairi Feehan

As my audit experience primarily relates to the financial services sector, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to undertake an audit in a different sector. While there are elements of the engagement where I can apply my financial services experience, I’m also learning new skills through the application of US GAAP.  Being a Senior on the job comes with its challenges but I’m working with a great team and I’ve direct access to the Senior Manager on the engagement who provides additional support as required.

Recently I participated in the annual Wall Street Run & Heart Walk organised by the American Heart Association.  I was joined by two of my colleagues, Joey Halligan, a fellow secondee from Dublin and Eric Andler from the New York office. The 5k run through the often narrow streets of New York’s Financial District area was very enjoyable but at times quite crowded with over 12,000 participants.  The run was for a worthy cause and I was pleased to add my contribution.  Needless to say, I didn’t break any world records but I made it to the end!