Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming Ariel Whong to our Corporate Advisory team through an international secondment between our firm and fellow Nexia member firm, Nexia Singapore, designed to share knowledge, experience and culture.

Ariel is an accountant with Nexia Singapore, and during her time at Pilot, she brought a fresh perspective and was an asset to our team.

We caught up with Ariel to hear more about her experience, what she enjoyed most, and what she’ll be taking back with her to Singapore.

What have you enjoyed most about your time with the Pilot team?

From birthday morning teas to trivia games and weekend hangouts, the culture and people at Pilot have been nothing short of amazing. It wasn’t just the Audit team — everyone at Pilot was so friendly and approachable, always ready with a cheerful greeting or a casual chat. I truly enjoyed my time here and feel grateful to be part of a team that not only delivers valuable audit and assurance advice to clients but also fosters a genuine sense of community and inclusion.

Have you noticed any interesting differences between working in Australia and Singapore?

I’ve found that many of the audit concepts are quite comparable between Australia and Singapore, particularly in terms of reporting standards and audit procedures. However, when looking more closely at the differences in jurisdiction, one notable distinction is Australia’s stringent statutory obligations surrounding superannuation — a topic I found especially interesting when compared to Singapore’s system.

What key learnings or experiences will you take back with you to Nexia Singapore?

Learning about the different audit methodologies used by Pilot has given me a fresh perspective on how audit procedures can be tailored yet ensuring compliance with reporting requirements. More importantly, I’d love to share some of the practices that contribute to Pilot’s exceptional culture and collaborative work environment.

What did you love most about Australia – any standout moments or places?

What I loved most about Australia was the cool weather, lovely beaches, amazing food, and the great work-life balance. There was always something exciting happening each month, and the Brisbane Riverfire was truly a highlight — an unforgettable experience. But above all, I would say it is Australia’s laid-back lifestyle that left the deepest impression on me. I honestly found it hard to let go, and I look forward to returning someday!