You wouldn’t take out a mortgage in Swiss francs?

At the moment absolutely not, not when there is too much of a risk in the exchange rate and the safest thing to do is to take a mortage in the currency which you earn. Once, however, mortgages in francs were very attractive and often the only option for those who took them out. Unfortunately, with the change in the economic situation, they became a major problem. The innovation in accounting which you mentioned at the beginning is not strictly my specialisation but only one of the fields of my academic interest. My specialisation is accounting and the publications and articles I have written are wider in scope and amongst other things concern innovations in accounting, banking and finance in general.

Do women go into finance and accounting to have control of the domestic budget?

It’s difficult to say. When I chose my course of studies, that was not a criterion. I think like a lot of fresh students when they choose a course, I wasn’t 100% sure which to take. At first I had determined to go to the Technical University in Gdańsk to study Civil Engineering. Later, at the final stage there was a moment of hesitation over what I really wanted to do and I thought ‘Why not Finance and Accounting?’. Now I can say I’m glad I chose that course, and that’s what’s important.

After studies – an academic career or putting your knowledge to practice?

Definitely the practice. From having worked two years in finance, I know that it is more interesting than the theoretical side and I definitely prefer it. Studying at university is slightly different and you only get to see what the subject you’ve studied is really like when you start working.

The first stage of your studies is already behind you - what was your Bachelor thesis about?

The subject of my work was the depreciation of fixed assets in the context of tax and balance sheet law and a comparison of these two approaches. It was theory combined with a practical section and research into the subject from the point of view of a haulage company.

Should the tax system in Poland be simplified?

I think it really has to be, since the Polish tax system is one of the most complicated in Europe. Regulations change frequently, so you have to be keep an eye on them to stay up-to-date, and simplifying them would be a definite plus. 

Flat tax or graduated?

In this case, it’s incredibly hard to choose. For some, a flat rate is best and graduated suits others. It depends on the level of income and many other factors.

You can also boast some outstanding achievements during your studies.

I count a grant from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education as one of my greatest achievements, as well as an internship at the European Parliament in the office of Jan Kozłowski MEP, as part of the ‘Brussels Internship’ programme.

You have an internship in the European Parliament under your belt. Are you not tempted by the perspective of work outside Poland?

I know I’ll stay in Poland. I like it here, I’m happy and it’s where I see my future. All the same, I love travelling and learning about new places and cultures. I gained a lot of experience during the internship in Brussels and I’d gladly take another foreign internship, but only a temporary one. In that way, I could broaden my knowledge and improve my language skills, while visiting and learning about new places.

Apart from your studies and professional work, do you find time for any hobbies?

I’d really like more such time. There are always things I put off until later later, ‘after the exam session’ or after ‘writing the MA thesis’. With me, though, the more lessons and obligations I have, the better I can organise my time. My hobby is foreign languages, especially my beloved Italian, cooking, books and sport.

You said you liked travelling … 

Yes, it’s one of my greatest passions and it’s the thing I have the least time for. Longer journeys take a week or two of free time, and at the moment, what with balancing studies and work simultaneously, it’s a bit hard to find the time. Apart from holiday trips, it’s usually just weekend trips. I love travelling and when I have time, I look for new places I could go to, what I could see, what I could visit … It’s difficult to point to any one dream journey, some I’ve already done, including my beloved Italy – Rome, Milan or Verona, and breath-taking Istanbul. I can also boast of a bike trip around the picturesque landscape of Norway, amongst the lakes, mountains, glaciers and everpresent nature. 

Obviously, I have a lot of places I have to visit in the future. At the moment, I’d love to go to the USA and travel to all the most beautiful places in all the states. One of my dreams for a long time has been to go to Brazil, but I think it might be one of those places that will stay on the ‘wish list’. I’d also like to go to Australia and New Zealand … I could go on and on. For the time being, I’m staying in Europe.

Interview: Krzysztof Klinkosz

Photos: Piotr Pędziszewski