Cyril Kigen
Tax
I come from a country of world record holders and record breakers, great safaris, sandy beaches and the best tea in the world. If you haven’t already guessed, it is Kenya. I'm from the countryside but studied at the University of Nairobi. I have a bachelor’s in actuarial science and graduated during the pandemic in 2021 so I didn’t get to go for an internship. I moved abroad to study for my master's and studied accounting and finance at Griffith College Dublin. One year later, I started an internship with Forvis Mazars. I had different student jobs while studying, from a hotel receptionist to bookkeeping for a rental management
company in Dun Laoghaire.
Learn more about our programme the qualification you will gain
“I’m focused and driven. I have a career that matches my ambition.”
Join the next generation of tax advisors at Forvis Mazars.
Cyril Kigen, Tax Associate
Tell us a bit about your background before Forvis Mazars
What made you choose your current career and what appealed to you about Forvis Mazars?
Having started as an intern before joining the graduate programme, it gave me a rough idea of what to expect. The people are ready and enthusiastic to teach and guide you so there's a smooth onboarding. You can straight away be given responsibility if you are willing and eager to learn and this gives you much-needed experience. I remember going for a welcome lunch with my team members which was a great gesture to welcome someone new - and food is key to my heart.
How were the first few months of our graduate programme?
Can you describe a typical day at Forvis Mazars?
I like to say my team is 'fun-sized', but it's a well-oiled system. There are three trainees (each at a different level), a director and a partner. I learn and receive work from any persons in the department as I have worked with multiple people across the wider department. We get along well with the other trainees as we go for tea breaks and lunch together and even nights out sometimes. The managers and other colleagues are all lovely and are seasoned professionals who are happy to help and guide you through your training.
What advice would you give to someone considering applying for our graduate programme?
Apply for the graduate programme at Forvis Mazars, it is definitely a great place to launch your career and they support you all the way. In the application make sure to mention any of your core values that match with that of the company and why you will be a good fit.
For the interview, I would say know about the firm, the role you are interviewing for and have a general interest in the career you want to go into. I prepped and spoke to the career guidance coach in my college who helped me a lot. I also spoke to my lecturers who gave me tips, they are well aware of what the industry is looking for. It's okay to ask for help!
Take pride in your work, have team spirit and be a person of the people.
What advice would you give to current graduates who are just starting their careers?
Cyril talks about his experience in Forvis Mazars Graduate Programme and how it has shaped his career path.
More about
tax
Forvis Mazars graduate programme
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Graduate Rewards & Benefits
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The application, assessment and recruitment process
Your pathway to success
Your development & wellness
Supporting your growth, development and sense of belonging
Graduate FAQ’s
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Why join the Forvis Mazars graduate programme?
Learn more about our programme the qualification you will gain
Hear from our
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Q&A with Cyril
I had a tax module in college and did an interactive assignment where we were giving tax advice for real-life scenarios. I knew straight away that was what I wanted my career to be. There are set rules, but having the ability to think outside the box (while still in the realm of the law) and providing a service that helps clients is what I wanted to base my career on. Forvis Mazars appealed to me because they value their people; employees, clients and in the community. They respect diverse backgrounds and have a reputation for excellence in the industry.
I was also familiar with Forvis Mazars through my lectures as they sponsored the tax assignment award and the tax partner gave a talk about a career in tax.
What made you choose your current career and what appealed
to you about Forvis Mazars?
Having started as an intern before joining the graduate programme, it gave me a rough idea of what to expect. The people are ready and enthusiastic to teach and guide you so there's a smooth onboarding. You can straight away be given responsibility if you are willing and eager to learn and this gives you much-needed experience. I remember going for a welcome lunch with my team members which was a great gesture to welcome someone new - and food is key to my heart.
How were the first few months of our graduate programme?
I do come from Maynooth, taking the train and Luas in. I always start on time, as long as the trains aren't delayed. I'm not a coffee person, so I head to my desk having said good morning to my colleagues, starting from the wonderful receptionist and security to all my team. I work away happily on various tasks before going for a tea break at 11.00am. Once back, I do the same up to lunchtime. I often go upstairs to the canteen to have my lunch with friends and sometimes we will have lunch in Iveagh Gardens if the sun is out. We like to go for a walk after lunch to get some fresh air. We have a Friday tradition of going for lunch in Portobello. I usually work until 5:30pm, but this can vary depending on our busy season. The team allows flexibility, for example, you can start and finish early that day to make an appointment.
The work I do is never the same thing so there is no monotony. We have different clients with different tax scenarios and needs.
Can you describe a typical day at Forvis Mazars?
I like to say my team is 'fun-sized', but it's a well-oiled system. There are three trainees (each at a different level), a director and a partner. I learn and receive work from any persons in the department as I have worked with multiple people across the wider department. We get along well with the other trainees as we go for tea breaks and lunch together and even nights out sometimes. The managers and other colleagues are all lovely and are seasoned professionals who are happy to help and guide you through your training.
Describe the culture and work environment here
Apply for the graduate programme at Forvis Mazars, it is definitely a great place to launch your career and they support you all the way. In the application make sure to mention any of your core values that match with that of the company and why you will be a good fit. For the interview, I would say know about the firm, the role you are interviewing for and have a general interest in the career you want to go into. I prepped and spoke to the career guidance coach in my college who helped me a lot. I also spoke to my lecturers who gave me tips, they are well aware of what the industry is looking for. It's okay to ask for help!
What advice would you give to someone considering applying for our graduate programme?
Take pride in your work, have team spirit and be a person of the people.
What advice would you give to current graduates who are just starting their careers?
I had a tax module in college and did an interactive assignment where we were giving tax advice for real-life scenarios. I knew straight away that was what I wanted my career to be. There are set rules, but having the ability to think outside the box (while still in the realm of the law) and providing a service that helps clients is what I wanted to base my career on. Forvis Mazars appealed to me because they value their people; employees, clients and in the community. They respect diverse backgrounds and have a reputation for excellence in the industry.
I was also familiar with Forvis Mazars through my lectures as they sponsored the tax assignment award and the tax partner gave a talk about a career in tax.
The biggest influence on me growing up was my family, especially my mother. They ensured I went to great schools and institutions, got the best education and had a great quality of life. Coming from Kenya also influenced my upbringing as it toughened me up and taught me the culture of hard work and perseverance. Travelling has also broadened my way of thinking and showed me the endless opportunities life has to offer. Friends play a big part in my life also as they make the Live, Laugh, Love possible.
Who or what has been the biggest influence on you growing up?
More about
tax
Hear from our
current associates
More about
tax
Hear from our
current associates
Download the Gen You graduate brochure
Learn more about our offerings in audit, tax, consulting and more
Download the Gen You graduate brochure.
The application, assessment and recruitment process
Your pathway to success
Learn more about our graduate programme
Learn more about our offerings in audit, tax, consulting and more
Graduate Rewards & Benefits
Our benefits support your professional development, wellbeing and growth
Your development & wellness
Supporting your growth, development and sense of belonging
Why join the Forvis Mazars graduate programme?
Unique offer & rewards & Benefits
Graduate FAQ’s
Find the answers to our most frequently asked questions
Download the Gen You graduate brochure
Learn more about our offerings in audit, tax, consulting and more
I do come from Maynooth, taking the train and Luas in. I always start on time, as long as the trains aren't delayed. I'm not a coffee person, so I head to my desk having said good morning to my colleagues, starting from the wonderful receptionist and security to all my team. I work away happily on various tasks before going for a tea break at 11.00am. Once back, I do the same up to lunchtime. I often go upstairs to the canteen to have my lunch with friends and sometimes we will have lunch in Iveagh Gardens if the sun is out. We like to go for a walk after lunch to get some fresh air. We have a Friday tradition of going for lunch in Portobello. I usually work until 5:30pm, but this can vary depending on our busy season. The team allows flexibility, for example, you can start and finish early that day to make an appointment.
The work I do is never the same thing so there is no monotony. We have different clients with different tax scenarios and needs.
Describe the culture and work environment here