Alumni Interview – Leila Mouacin
“Primexis put their trust in me
and helped me succeed”
In this exclusive interview, Lelia Mouacin, Group Tax Reporting Manager at Pernod Ricard, looks back at her memorable experience at Primexis and shares the invaluable advice that has contributed to her professional development. This testimony is full of advice on how to succeed in a dynamic and constantly changing environment.
What was the key moment in your career at Primexis?
Every assignment at Primexis had a major impact on my career, but the first assignments were naturally the most memorable and the most challenging. I didn’t come from a purely accounting background, and I didn’t do any audit. However, Primexis put their trust in me, gave me a chance, and helped me succeed.
I was lucky to start my first assignments, surrounded by many colleagues, which made me feel more secure while learning a lot. Working on assignments for major groups and on a variety of subjects allowed me to develop a wide range of expertise. One assignment in particular, where I worked in the consolidation department in close collaboration with the tax department, played a key role.
This experience gave me an in-depth understanding of the overlapping issues in these two sectors and was instrumental in securing the opportunities that led to my current position as Group Tax Reporting Manager.
“Working on assignments for major groups
allowed me to develop a wide range of expertise.”
Which elements of Primexis’ culture impacted your professional development?
The closeness with management and other employees was a real driving force in my development. As a people-oriented firm, Primexis promotes fluid, open communication, whether it’s sharing successes or tackling problems. I always felt genuinely listened to and supported, which helped me grow professionally.
Although my background is atypical for consolidation, I always felt that my skills and motivation were recognized and valued. Team spirit was also a precious resource, whether in the field, during assignments with colleagues, or even remotely. Finally, the connections created within the firm go beyond the professional setting. Some of my former colleagues are now part of my professional network or are even my close friends.
“Team spirit was a precious resource,
whether in the field or remotely.”
What challenge at Primexis
stood out to you?
One of the main challenges I faced was the need to regularly adapt to new environments, new teams, and sometimes several annual closing schedules.
Each assignment was an opportunity to learn and strengthen my resilience and ability to adapt. Fortunately, I could always count on support from the partners, who were available to listen and help me handle clients’ issues.
Another impactful challenge was during an assignment with a client using Tagetik. I had identified a complex problem that I couldn’t solve on my own. Thanks to the support and expertise from Primexis’ GIS (Group Information Systems) team, I was able to understand the root of the problem and solve it efficiently.
This experience not only allowed me to develop my technical skills but also to appreciate the power of collaborative work and the internal network at Primexis.
What advice would you give to new recruits at Primexis?
I would advise new recruits not to hesitate to communicate, whether with colleagues or management. The management team listens and is open to discussions, so don’t hesitate to share any difficulties you run into. Colleagues are also a precious support system, often becoming your friends in the future and key partners in your professional network. In addition, every client assignment requires some degree of autonomy, and this ability to adapt is a key skill.
Even with a less conventional path, it is possible to succeed. The key is curiosity, motivation, and the ability to ask questions. Primexis offers an ideal environment to develop this autonomy, which will become a real competitive advantage for the rest of their career.
