Every day, I try to be a little better

After several years outside the field, Filip returned to what he studied. Today at PwC, as an actuarial specialist in audit, he gets an inside look at how insurance companies and banks operate. And when he needs to clear his head, he goes for a run – sometimes a few kilometres, sometimes a marathon.

Did your path after university lead straight to PwC?

Definitely not straight there. I studied financial engineering at the Prague University of Economics and Business, but before I even finished my degree, I started working for a friend’s company and ended up staying there for seven years. After that, it was time for a change. I wanted to get back to what I had studied and, at the same time, experience the environment of a large company.

When did you realise that PwC might be the right place for you?

I already had a good impression during the recruitment process – everything followed on smoothly without unnecessary delays. And when the offer from PwC came, I didn’t hesitate and accepted it.

How would you describe your role and what do you usually focus on?

I joined as an actuarial specialist within the audit team. Most of my work focuses on reviewing technical provisions at insurance companies. In practice, that means using mathematical and statistical methods to verify whether an insurance company has correctly estimated future insurance claims and set aside sufficient reserves for them.

Alongside that, I also help with standard audits of insurance companies and one bank. What I enjoy most about this role is that you get to work with different companies and understand how they operate from the inside. At the same time, I need my work to be anything but routine – and that’s exactly what this role offers.

What suits you most about that variety?

Every company is different, and every engagement has its own specifics. You need to find your bearings quickly, communicate with the client and understand the broader context. It’s not just about numbers – it’s also about context, communication and the ability to piece everything together. One recent example I would mention is the audit of Fio banka. It was a demanding engagement, but in the end, thanks to teamwork, everything came together.

What is the most challenging part of your role?

Getting all the required documents. I say that slightly tongue in cheek, but it is an important part of the whole process. Otherwise, it’s probably a combination of pressure, pace, communication with clients and long hours in the office, especially during busy season. On top of that, I have a family, and when you add sport into the mix, it can sometimes be challenging to fit everything in.

Has PwC helped you grow professionally or personally?

Definitely. Every day, I try to be at least a little better, more efficient and faster than the day before. For me, it’s about gradual improvement – when you move forward in small steps, it makes a difference over time.

How important are the people around you at PwC?

Working with the right people is probably the most important thing. Without that, we wouldn’t be where we are. A good team needs fair play, mutual support, collaboration, a capable leader, trust and respect. A team that works only on paper reveals itself through the quality of its relationships and shared goal. Roles can be divided perfectly, but if trust and a willingness to help each other are missing, it quickly shows in challenging moments.

Outside PwC, you run a lot. How big a role does sport play in your life?

A big one, even though there isn’t much free time. I have two small children, aged two and three. But whenever I do have some time left, I fill it with sport. Most often I run or cycle, and I used to play football. In winter, it’s cross-country or downhill skiing.

I run both for myself and competitively, with friends or as part of PwC. With friends, we used to go abroad for a marathon every autumn, for example to Budapest, Dresden or Florence. In total, I have completed 21 marathons, including 11 in Prague. Competitively, I have also run marathons in Boston, Chicago, Berlin and Queenstown in New Zealand. On top of that, I have also completed a 24-hour race on Ještěd and a 100-kilometre race in the Krkonoše Mountains. And the PwC team has just returned from the Vltava Run.

Does running give you something you can use outside sport as well?

Yes. Apart from helping me clear my head, movement in general improves performance. And I would say running also builds mental resilience. When you run for long hours with only your thoughts for company, it tests not only your muscles but also your mindset. You learn to endure, work with discomfort and keep going even when you don’t feel like it. And that comes in useful outside sport too.