SNUbiz News
Meeting Alumni at Samil PwC: Seung-Won Jeong, Sarang Cheon, and Dabin Kim
Written by Student Ambassador Chae-eun Lim (College of Business Administration, Matriculating Year of 2020)
Seung-Won Jeong) Alumna Seung-Won Jeong graduated from Seoul National University (double major in Fashion and Textiles and Business Administration) in 2022. She has been working at Samil PwC for twenty years, including two years on an assignment to the PwC’s Los Angeles Office in the United States. She specializes in overseas listings of Korean corporations such as Coupang and cross-border IPOs of foreign corporations. She also provides IPO audits and related advisory services to various companies.
Dabin Kim) Almuna Dabin Kim graduated from the College of Business Administration at Seoul National University in 2018. She started her career in the Audit Division of Samil PwC in 2017 and has worked in the Deal Division for seven years. She is currently responsible for various tasks, including financial due diligence, valuation, and M&A.
Sarang Cheon) Alumna Sarang Cheon graduated from the College of Business Administration at Seoul National University in 2014. She specializes in transfer pricing in the Tax division at Samil PwC, where she has worked for ten years. She has provided transfer pricing services for international transactions in various industries, including chemical, oil, manufacturing, logistics, and advertisement. More specifically, she provides services across the transfer pricing process, including TP Planning, documentation of transfer pricing including BEPS, determining transfer price, supporting tax investigations and tax appeals, Advance Pricing Agreements (APA), and competent authority.
Please introduce yourselves to our readers.
Seung-won Jeong) I am Seung-won Jeong, and I work in the Global Division. I am primarily responsible for cross-border IPOs, accounting advisory, and auditing. I joined Samil PwC in 2003, so it has already been twenty years. I spend most of my days in the office with U.S. listed companies, such as Coupang, Korean unicorn companies dreaming of being listed overseas, and international companies preparing for IPOs in Korea.
Sarang Cheon) I am Sarang Cheon, and I work in the Transfer Pricing Team in the Tax Division. I joined the Transfer Pricing Team at Samil PwC and have worked here for nearly a decade. I’m currently responsible for resolving transfer pricing issues in various industries, such as chemical, oil, manufacturing, logistics, and advertisement. I have multiple tasks, including devising policies for new transactions, especially when it concerns controlled transactions, submitting relevant documents on transfer pricing to the National Tax Service, pre-approval of transfer pricing and mutual agreement to support negotiations between tax authorities, and providing tax investigation support. I am also a working mom raising seven-year-old twin boys.
Dabin Kim) I am Dabin Kim at the Transaction Service Team in the Deal Division. I began my career at the Audit division and worked for a year and a half before transferring to the Deal Division seven years ago. I am currently responsible for various M&A-related tasks, such as financial due diligence for both acquiring and selling companies, as well as M&A and valuation.
What made you decide to pursue a career in accounting?
Seung-won Jeong) Math has been my favorite subject since I was young. So, I was not that interested in classes such as Principles of Accounting and Production Management or other fields. I began preparing for a career in accounting when my college friend began preparing for the CPA exam.
Accountants have a heavy workload, and the work can be demanding, but there are many moments of fulfillment that shaped me into the person I am today. Nowadays, I think I have chosen a good career path, and I would choose accounting again if I had to change careers. I am always grateful for the friend who led me to this career as an accountant.
Sarang Cheon) I personally had a thirst for something more after entering the College of Business Administration. While all the classes on marketing or HR were interesting, I did not find them fascinating because I was always more interested in math and sciences. However, I had an Aha moment as an undergraduate when I took Professor Jong Hag Choi’s Principles of Accounting class. I decided to prepare for the CPA exam because I considered accounting a systematic and fascinating language that uses numbers to present the past, present, and future of companies, and it was a good fit with my interest in math and sciences.
Dabin Kim) Similar to what you both said, I also found accounting or finance classes more interesting as an undergraduate because I liked to approach things numerically. When considering my career after graduation, I also learned that accountants could have many career options by working at accounting firms, public institutions, and securities firms. I wanted multiple options, so I decided to pursue a career in accounting.
Samil PwC is divided mainly into Assurance, Tax, and Deal Divisions. Which division do you work in and why?
Seung-won Jeong) My work is hybrid in a way, but I am technically part of the Assurance Division. Work at the Assurance Division is more related to the essential skill sets required as accountants than the tasks at the Tax or Deal Division. Typically, when you join the company, you will usually start in the Assurance division, and after two or three years, you will have the opportunity to apply for a transfer to the Tax or Deal Divisions for different roles. At that point in time, I was working on a long-term overseas IPO project and couldn’t apply for a transfer. After some time, I had a chance to go abroad to work in the US office, so time passed by after that. Naturally, as my career developed, I found myself working as a member of the Global Division even to this day.
Sarang Cheon) I did not initially prefer working in the Tax division but was assigned to the TP Team. Now, I enjoy working in this team because of the opportunities to work with various industries on diverse tasks and collaborate with global networks, as well as the dynamic, horizontal, and open culture.
Dabin Kim) I started in the Assurance Division but transferred to the Deal Division because I was drawn to the variety of work and industries I could experience. Industries vary by project in the Deal Division, and because the types of tasks vary as well, from financial due diligence to valuation and M&A, you will never feel bored at work. I also chose to work in the Deal Division because it was an exciting opportunity to experience the corporate M&A process, which I learned about from lectures as an undergraduate.
Nowadays, more women are passing the CPA examination. Do you feel this change in the office?
Seung-won Jeong) Accounting firms usually work in small teams on a project-basis, and I have noticed more women on project teams. Sometimes, it feels like there are too few men on the team.
Sarang Cheon) The TP team has an exceptionally high proportion of women accountants. So, many accountants are considering maternity and parental leave after their marriages. Because I have already been through that experience, many colleagues look to me for advice, and in that regard, I think I have an important role. There are many talented female accountants, and the company has implemented various policies to support employees in balancing their careers and childcare.
Dabin Kim) I understand that among the three divisions, the ratio of female accountants is lowest in the Deal Division. However, there has been a recent increase in the number of female accountants joining the team. I also feel that more women pass the CPA test when more than half of the project team members are women.
What are the strengths of being a woman in an accounting firm?
Seung-won Jeong) One of the most important qualities of an accountant is producing quality output. In this respect, female accountants are a little better at completing their tasks in a calm and meticulous manner.
Sarang Cheon) I think there are strengths that only women can have in accounting. I won’t say I am feminine, but I do believe I can be more sensitive and meticulous than men. Communication between stakeholders is crucial in the office, and such personalities can work as an advantage when encouraging teamwork and communicating smoothly with stakeholders.
Dabin Kim) Teamwork is essential in accounting firms as new teams are formed whenever a new project is launched. I think women are relatively more attentive and can respond better in interpersonal relationships. So, I believe that this can be a strength in teamwork.
As a woman in accounting, have you experienced any shortcomings or anything you would like to have changed?
Seung-won Jeong) You stand out wherever you go, which is both a blessing and a curse. More women are becoming accountants and partners, but we are still a minority. I think there are physical and emotional differences between women and men in accounting. Because we are a minority with such differences, there are moments when caring can feel like discrimination disguised as an act of care. However, accountants are a group of professionals, so such issues will be resolved once you become an indispensable part of the professional field.
Sarang Cheon) Because accounting firms usually have long hours and heavy workloads, I do need some help with childcare. So, I think creating various networks of female accountants working in Samil PwC and forming mentor-mentee relationships can be helpful.
Dabin Kim) I am not married or have children yet, but juggling childcare and work can be challenging. Having a more flexible work environment would be great because many people leave after having a baby since we work overtime more often than other companies.
Recently, more students are preparing for the CPA exam. Is there any way to check whether accounting is the right path for you in advance?
Seung-won Jeong) If you have a knack for numbers, great stamina, and are excited rather than repulsed by new projects, you will not regret working as an accountant. Accounting is a fascinating profession that never gets boring. If you are considering becoming an accountant, it would be great if we could get in touch and chat. I have experience working with many junior accountants so I may be able to sense whether you are a great fit for the job.
Sarang Cheon) I think accounting might be a good profession if you are a business administration student and like to deal with numbers. Also, because accountants must analyze particular issues, it might be a better fit if you are someone who constantly asks yourself, “Why?” and arrive at conclusions.
Dabin Kim) I think accounting will suit you if you prefer dynamic working environments to routine work. This is especially the case in the Deal Division where I work, as we constantly analyze various companies in different industries during projects. If you find this environment more fun than stressful, accounting might be the right fit for you.
What are the necessary competencies needed as an accountant?
Seung-won Jeong) As mentioned above, basic aptitudes, digital competencies, and quick thinking are important qualities. Like other professions, various digital tools have been developed and used in accounting. Changes are being made to use robots for simple tasks and AI for tasks of medium difficulty.
Sarang Cheon) I think it is important to take ownership of what you do. Accountants work with clients, so if you become a project manager, you become responsible for the entire project. Also, because the workload can be immense in accounting, it is crucial to consider ways to improve your job efficiency and effectiveness.
Dabin Kim) After working for a few years, I realized the importance of communication skills. Good communication between teammates within a project team is crucial for efficiency. It is also important to deliver the results to the clients. So, I think it is important to improve your communication skills to effectively communicate the work your project team has done within your team and with your clients.
What would you most like to do if you could go back in time and become an undergraduate student?
Seung-won Jeong) There weren’t many exchange student programs in the past. Because I was a student during the IMF crisis, it wasn’t easy to go abroad for language schools. Although my work requires a lot of international travel, I am always on a tight schedule, so I always wish to spend more time in other countries. If I could go back and become an undergraduate student again, I would use the long vacations to travel to other countries.
Sarang Cheon) I wish I participated in student clubs related to hobbies. Hobbies, I think, are important in your life because they relieve the stress from a busy job and give you the energy to go on. As an undergraduate student, I didn’t participate in hobby-oriented clubs because I was busy preparing for the CPA exam.
Dabin Kim) I wish I could have gone to study abroad as an exchange student, but I didn’t have enough time because I was preparing for the CPA exam. I regretted not going, especially because once you graduate from university and start working, it becomes difficult for you to experience other countries for a long period. If I could return in time, I would like to study abroad as an exchange student, improve my language skills, and travel to various places. I also regret not participating in academic clubs as a senior due to the exam, as the diverse network created through academic clubs could be a great asset in the future.
Do you have any final words of advice for students at the Business School?
Seung-won Jeong) Experience as many things as you can. Your future will be hidden in that journey. I sincerely hope you can capture the future you want, either by fate or fortune.
Sarang Cheon) I think students will be experiencing the same emotions I felt when thinking about future career paths. When choosing a career path, it is good to focus on what you like to do, what you spend your time on, or what you want to spend your time on. Salaries and working environments are important, but what is more important in the long run is whether your work motivates your inner metaphysical self.
Dabin Kim) Rather than being impatient about your future, spend plenty of time having different experiences. After that, if you could take some time to consider what interests you the most, you will be able to make a choice you will not regret in the long run.
Seung-Won Jeong) Alumna Seung-Won Jeong graduated from Seoul National University (double major in Fashion and Textiles and Business Administration) in 2022. She has been working at Samil PwC for twenty years, including two years on an assignment to the PwC’s Los Angeles Office in the United States. She specializes in overseas listings of Korean corporations such as Coupang and cross-border IPOs of foreign corporations. She also provides IPO audits and related advisory services to various companies.
Dabin Kim) Almuna Dabin Kim graduated from the College of Business Administration at Seoul National University in 2018. She started her career in the Audit Division of Samil PwC in 2017 and has worked in the Deal Division for seven years. She is currently responsible for various tasks, including financial due diligence, valuation, and M&A.
Sarang Cheon) Alumna Sarang Cheon graduated from the College of Business Administration at Seoul National University in 2014. She specializes in transfer pricing in the Tax division at Samil PwC, where she has worked for ten years. She has provided transfer pricing services for international transactions in various industries, including chemical, oil, manufacturing, logistics, and advertisement. More specifically, she provides services across the transfer pricing process, including TP Planning, documentation of transfer pricing including BEPS, determining transfer price, supporting tax investigations and tax appeals, Advance Pricing Agreements (APA), and competent authority.
Please introduce yourselves to our readers.
Seung-won Jeong) I am Seung-won Jeong, and I work in the Global Division. I am primarily responsible for cross-border IPOs, accounting advisory, and auditing. I joined Samil PwC in 2003, so it has already been twenty years. I spend most of my days in the office with U.S. listed companies, such as Coupang, Korean unicorn companies dreaming of being listed overseas, and international companies preparing for IPOs in Korea.
Sarang Cheon) I am Sarang Cheon, and I work in the Transfer Pricing Team in the Tax Division. I joined the Transfer Pricing Team at Samil PwC and have worked here for nearly a decade. I’m currently responsible for resolving transfer pricing issues in various industries, such as chemical, oil, manufacturing, logistics, and advertisement. I have multiple tasks, including devising policies for new transactions, especially when it concerns controlled transactions, submitting relevant documents on transfer pricing to the National Tax Service, pre-approval of transfer pricing and mutual agreement to support negotiations between tax authorities, and providing tax investigation support. I am also a working mom raising seven-year-old twin boys.
Dabin Kim) I am Dabin Kim at the Transaction Service Team in the Deal Division. I began my career at the Audit division and worked for a year and a half before transferring to the Deal Division seven years ago. I am currently responsible for various M&A-related tasks, such as financial due diligence for both acquiring and selling companies, as well as M&A and valuation.
What made you decide to pursue a career in accounting?
Seung-won Jeong) Math has been my favorite subject since I was young. So, I was not that interested in classes such as Principles of Accounting and Production Management or other fields. I began preparing for a career in accounting when my college friend began preparing for the CPA exam.
Accountants have a heavy workload, and the work can be demanding, but there are many moments of fulfillment that shaped me into the person I am today. Nowadays, I think I have chosen a good career path, and I would choose accounting again if I had to change careers. I am always grateful for the friend who led me to this career as an accountant.
Sarang Cheon) I personally had a thirst for something more after entering the College of Business Administration. While all the classes on marketing or HR were interesting, I did not find them fascinating because I was always more interested in math and sciences. However, I had an Aha moment as an undergraduate when I took Professor Jong Hag Choi’s Principles of Accounting class. I decided to prepare for the CPA exam because I considered accounting a systematic and fascinating language that uses numbers to present the past, present, and future of companies, and it was a good fit with my interest in math and sciences.
Dabin Kim) Similar to what you both said, I also found accounting or finance classes more interesting as an undergraduate because I liked to approach things numerically. When considering my career after graduation, I also learned that accountants could have many career options by working at accounting firms, public institutions, and securities firms. I wanted multiple options, so I decided to pursue a career in accounting.
Samil PwC is divided mainly into Assurance, Tax, and Deal Divisions. Which division do you work in and why?
Seung-won Jeong) My work is hybrid in a way, but I am technically part of the Assurance Division. Work at the Assurance Division is more related to the essential skill sets required as accountants than the tasks at the Tax or Deal Division. Typically, when you join the company, you will usually start in the Assurance division, and after two or three years, you will have the opportunity to apply for a transfer to the Tax or Deal Divisions for different roles. At that point in time, I was working on a long-term overseas IPO project and couldn’t apply for a transfer. After some time, I had a chance to go abroad to work in the US office, so time passed by after that. Naturally, as my career developed, I found myself working as a member of the Global Division even to this day.
Sarang Cheon) I did not initially prefer working in the Tax division but was assigned to the TP Team. Now, I enjoy working in this team because of the opportunities to work with various industries on diverse tasks and collaborate with global networks, as well as the dynamic, horizontal, and open culture.
Dabin Kim) I started in the Assurance Division but transferred to the Deal Division because I was drawn to the variety of work and industries I could experience. Industries vary by project in the Deal Division, and because the types of tasks vary as well, from financial due diligence to valuation and M&A, you will never feel bored at work. I also chose to work in the Deal Division because it was an exciting opportunity to experience the corporate M&A process, which I learned about from lectures as an undergraduate.
Nowadays, more women are passing the CPA examination. Do you feel this change in the office?
Seung-won Jeong) Accounting firms usually work in small teams on a project-basis, and I have noticed more women on project teams. Sometimes, it feels like there are too few men on the team.
Sarang Cheon) The TP team has an exceptionally high proportion of women accountants. So, many accountants are considering maternity and parental leave after their marriages. Because I have already been through that experience, many colleagues look to me for advice, and in that regard, I think I have an important role. There are many talented female accountants, and the company has implemented various policies to support employees in balancing their careers and childcare.
Dabin Kim) I understand that among the three divisions, the ratio of female accountants is lowest in the Deal Division. However, there has been a recent increase in the number of female accountants joining the team. I also feel that more women pass the CPA test when more than half of the project team members are women.
What are the strengths of being a woman in an accounting firm?
Seung-won Jeong) One of the most important qualities of an accountant is producing quality output. In this respect, female accountants are a little better at completing their tasks in a calm and meticulous manner.
Sarang Cheon) I think there are strengths that only women can have in accounting. I won’t say I am feminine, but I do believe I can be more sensitive and meticulous than men. Communication between stakeholders is crucial in the office, and such personalities can work as an advantage when encouraging teamwork and communicating smoothly with stakeholders.
Dabin Kim) Teamwork is essential in accounting firms as new teams are formed whenever a new project is launched. I think women are relatively more attentive and can respond better in interpersonal relationships. So, I believe that this can be a strength in teamwork.
As a woman in accounting, have you experienced any shortcomings or anything you would like to have changed?
Seung-won Jeong) You stand out wherever you go, which is both a blessing and a curse. More women are becoming accountants and partners, but we are still a minority. I think there are physical and emotional differences between women and men in accounting. Because we are a minority with such differences, there are moments when caring can feel like discrimination disguised as an act of care. However, accountants are a group of professionals, so such issues will be resolved once you become an indispensable part of the professional field.
Sarang Cheon) Because accounting firms usually have long hours and heavy workloads, I do need some help with childcare. So, I think creating various networks of female accountants working in Samil PwC and forming mentor-mentee relationships can be helpful.
Dabin Kim) I am not married or have children yet, but juggling childcare and work can be challenging. Having a more flexible work environment would be great because many people leave after having a baby since we work overtime more often than other companies.
Recently, more students are preparing for the CPA exam. Is there any way to check whether accounting is the right path for you in advance?
Seung-won Jeong) If you have a knack for numbers, great stamina, and are excited rather than repulsed by new projects, you will not regret working as an accountant. Accounting is a fascinating profession that never gets boring. If you are considering becoming an accountant, it would be great if we could get in touch and chat. I have experience working with many junior accountants so I may be able to sense whether you are a great fit for the job.
Sarang Cheon) I think accounting might be a good profession if you are a business administration student and like to deal with numbers. Also, because accountants must analyze particular issues, it might be a better fit if you are someone who constantly asks yourself, “Why?” and arrive at conclusions.
Dabin Kim) I think accounting will suit you if you prefer dynamic working environments to routine work. This is especially the case in the Deal Division where I work, as we constantly analyze various companies in different industries during projects. If you find this environment more fun than stressful, accounting might be the right fit for you.
What are the necessary competencies needed as an accountant?
Seung-won Jeong) As mentioned above, basic aptitudes, digital competencies, and quick thinking are important qualities. Like other professions, various digital tools have been developed and used in accounting. Changes are being made to use robots for simple tasks and AI for tasks of medium difficulty.
Sarang Cheon) I think it is important to take ownership of what you do. Accountants work with clients, so if you become a project manager, you become responsible for the entire project. Also, because the workload can be immense in accounting, it is crucial to consider ways to improve your job efficiency and effectiveness.
Dabin Kim) After working for a few years, I realized the importance of communication skills. Good communication between teammates within a project team is crucial for efficiency. It is also important to deliver the results to the clients. So, I think it is important to improve your communication skills to effectively communicate the work your project team has done within your team and with your clients.
What would you most like to do if you could go back in time and become an undergraduate student?
Seung-won Jeong) There weren’t many exchange student programs in the past. Because I was a student during the IMF crisis, it wasn’t easy to go abroad for language schools. Although my work requires a lot of international travel, I am always on a tight schedule, so I always wish to spend more time in other countries. If I could go back and become an undergraduate student again, I would use the long vacations to travel to other countries.
Sarang Cheon) I wish I participated in student clubs related to hobbies. Hobbies, I think, are important in your life because they relieve the stress from a busy job and give you the energy to go on. As an undergraduate student, I didn’t participate in hobby-oriented clubs because I was busy preparing for the CPA exam.
Dabin Kim) I wish I could have gone to study abroad as an exchange student, but I didn’t have enough time because I was preparing for the CPA exam. I regretted not going, especially because once you graduate from university and start working, it becomes difficult for you to experience other countries for a long period. If I could return in time, I would like to study abroad as an exchange student, improve my language skills, and travel to various places. I also regret not participating in academic clubs as a senior due to the exam, as the diverse network created through academic clubs could be a great asset in the future.
Do you have any final words of advice for students at the Business School?
Seung-won Jeong) Experience as many things as you can. Your future will be hidden in that journey. I sincerely hope you can capture the future you want, either by fate or fortune.
Sarang Cheon) I think students will be experiencing the same emotions I felt when thinking about future career paths. When choosing a career path, it is good to focus on what you like to do, what you spend your time on, or what you want to spend your time on. Salaries and working environments are important, but what is more important in the long run is whether your work motivates your inner metaphysical self.
Dabin Kim) Rather than being impatient about your future, spend plenty of time having different experiences. After that, if you could take some time to consider what interests you the most, you will be able to make a choice you will not regret in the long run.
