Mischa is an Associate in Corporate Tax at PwC Switzerland. Having first discovered PwC during a university visit, he went on to join as an intern before transitioning into his current role. Alongside his work, he is pursuing a Master's degree — balancing academic study with hands-on client experience. Read on to hear how his journey has unfolded so far.
1 Tell us about yourself and your journey at PwC Switzerland so far
My journey with PwC Switzerland actually started during my Bachelor's degree. As part of a course in Group Tax Accounting, we had the opportunity to visit the PwC office in Zurich. That was the first time I really got to know the firm and experience the atmosphere on site.
Later, when I decided that I wanted to gain practical experience in tax, PwC felt like the perfect fit: a professional, international environment combined with the chance to start my career in Corporate Tax.
Over the past year, my journey has been very rewarding. I've had the chance to meet many new colleagues from different areas, build my professional network, and gain a much deeper understanding of the Swiss tax landscape. It's been a steep learning curve, but in a positive way.
2 You started at PwC as an intern and are now an Associate — what was that transition like?
Starting as an intern has a lot of advantages. You get the time and space to understand the workplace, the tools, and the typical tasks without carrying too much responsibility right from day one. Step by step, you become more confident with the processes and the clients you work on.
Over time, I started working regularly on the same client engagements, which helped me build relationships and understand their business better. With this, my responsibilities also grew as I began to have more client contact.
"The transition to Associate was a natural next step. The expectations are higher, but so is the level of trust and autonomy you are given. It's particularly motivating to work with clients over a longer period and to see your own development."
3 For someone who doesn't know much about Corporate Tax, how would you describe what you do on a day-to-day basis?
In simple terms, we help companies comply with their tax obligations in Switzerland and support them in making sound tax-related decisions.
We support our clients with their day-to-day tax compliance. That means we help them meet filing deadlines, comply with legal requirements, and understand what is expected from them from a Swiss tax perspective. They know they have a reliable advisor at their side who keeps an eye on the details.
We also work on more complex projects. This can include group restructurings, changes in functions or business activities in Switzerland, or questions around the place of effective management. These projects often involve coordination with different stakeholders and require a good understanding of both tax law and the client's business model.
4 You are balancing a demanding role in Corporate Tax with studying for your Master's degree — how do you manage that, and what have you learned about yourself through doing both?
For me, it's a great privilege to be able to gain real work experience while at the same time continuing my academic education. The combination works surprisingly well: many of the concepts I learn in my Master's studies appear in practice, and what I see at work often helps me better understand the theory.
The key factor is prioritisation. There are periods when client work becomes very busy and requires more of my attention, and then there are phases in which I need to focus more on my studies. Being transparent with both sides and planning ahead is crucial.
Through this experience, I've learned a lot about my own way of working: how I manage time and energy, and that it's okay to ask for support. It has also shown me that I enjoy being challenged.
5 What do you think makes PwC Switzerland such a great place to build a career?
For me, it's a combination of people, opportunities, and the learning environment.
The network you build here is extremely valuable. You work closely with colleagues from your own team, but also with people from other lines of service and different offices. This gives you insights into many areas beyond your immediate role and helps you develop a broader perspective.
The client work itself is very enriching. Being able to support large and often international clients with complex questions is a great learning opportunity. Every client situation is different, and you constantly encounter new topics, industries, and challenges. It's rarely predictable how a day will go, and that makes the work dynamic and engaging.
"There is a strong focus on development. You receive feedback, have access to trainings, and are encouraged to take on new responsibilities, step by step. That creates a good environment to grow both professionally and personally."
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