A milestone worth the challenge: Michelle’s journey at BDO Sweden

Michelle Schwabe
Authorized Public Accountant
BDO Sweden

When Michelle graduated from university in 2021, she wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to do next. Auditing wasn’t part of a long-term plan, but its variety and the opportunity to keep learning caught her attention.

A recommendation from a fellow student brought her to BDO Sweden, but it was the interview that made her feel she had found the right place.

I immediately connected with the people I met and got a genuine feeling that this was a place where I would enjoy working.

Michelle

Five years later, that feeling is still there. Along the way, Michelle has taken on new responsibilities, explored opportunities beyond her core role and continued to challenge herself, eventually reaching an important career milestone: becoming an authorised public accountant.

In my day-to-day work, I have the opportunity to influence the types of clients and engagements I want to work with and develop within. 


I also serve as an Audit Manager on several of our larger engagements, where I help coordinate teams and bring together the right mix of skills and experience to meet each engagement's needs. 

Michelle


Another important part of the job is being an Audit Group Lead for around ten colleagues, creating an opportunity to support others as they develop their own careers.

Taking on different responsibilities has also created room to explore new areas and influence the types of clients and engagements she works with. And even after five years, there is still plenty to discover.

Helping others grow, sharing experiences, and supporting their development within BDO’s methodology and culture is something I am truly passionate about.

Michelle

One of the things that stood out from the beginning was the culture at BDO Sweden. Despite the different roles and levels across the organisation, the atmosphere feels close-knit.

Sometimes, that’s most visible in the everyday moments.

“It’s not unusual to see one of our partners grabbing a coffee or having an informal catch-up with someone who has just joined the firm.”

That accessibility creates an environment where colleagues at different stages of their careers can connect naturally, ask questions and learn from one another.


Spring 2026 brought one of the most demanding periods of Michelle’s career so far.

Busy season was in full swing, client work was demanding and additional internal responsibilities were competing for time. At the same time, there was another major goal on the horizon: preparing for the auditor authorisation exam. And outside work, there was a wedding to plan too.

It was a lot to balance, but also an opportunity to find out just how much was possible.

I learned that I can handle much more than I sometimes think, as long as I stay focused, organised and committed to what I want to achieve.

Michelle

The hard work paid off. Michelle achieved the highest score among everyone taking the authorisation exam and became an authorised public accountant.

The timing made the achievement even more special. She joined BDO on 1 September 2021. Exactly five years later, on 1 September 2026, she reached this new milestone in her career.

Five years that started with an uncertain next step after university had led somewhere she couldn’t have predicted at the beginning.

From busy season to crayfish season

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys travelling, discovering new places and spending time with family and friends. 

She’s also a bit of a foodie, with a particular enthusiasm for finding new ramen spots.

Late summer brings one of her favourite Swedish traditions: crayfish season. 

During August and September, there’s a good chance you’ll find her at a crayfish party enjoying, in her own words, far too many crayfish.

When life slows down, long walks in nature, mushroom picking in autumn and getting lost in a good book are all favourites, alongside spending time with her dog, Lennart.

Looking back, some of the experiences that have shaped the past five years came from being willing to explore opportunities outside the expected path.

From employer branding initiatives to leadership responsibilities and internal projects alongside client work, being trusted with new challenges early on created space to learn, build confidence and discover new strengths.

That experience also shapes Michelle’s advice to anyone beginning their own journey at BDO:

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, take initiative, and embrace new opportunities, as that’s how you’ll learn and develop the fastest.


Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way and be open to stepping outside your comfort zone.

Michelle
Looking to join Michelle in BDO Sweden? Check out our latest career opportunities.