Meet Crystal Tan, Manager - Sydney
Crystal began her career with Forvis Mazars in Sydney in 2018 as an Intermediate, after a 1.5-year tenure at a small suburban firm. Over the past 6.5 years, Crystal has progressed from an Intermediate Accountant to Manager while also expanding her family and balancing part time work. During her career, Crystal has worked on various projects, including family groups with complex tax structures, international tax clients, business valuation calculations, and providing tax-efficient strategies and advice. Additionally, she has contributed to enhancing internal processes and improving efficiency for the firm. As an emerging leader, she was selected to attend the Forvis Mazars New Managers program in Bangkok in 2024.
What does International Women's Day mean to you personally, and what is your role in promoting gender equality and diversity in the workplace?
To me, International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress women have made, while highlighting the work that still lies ahead in achieving true gender equality. I am deeply grateful for the women who have worked tirelessly to pave the way for the advancements we enjoy today. It provides an important opportunity to honour their efforts and celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women worldwide. It also serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to support one another and continue creating spaces where women can thrive and lead across all industries.
In my role, I am committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every individual, regardless of gender, feels valued and empowered. As a manager and a young working mother, I am particularly dedicated to advocating for equal opportunities and serving as a role model for other women in the industry. I firmly believe that diverse teams are stronger teams, and it is essential that we all play an active role in ensuring that women have equal opportunities to succeed and lead.
In your opinion, what are the key ways to #AccelerateAction towards equality and positively impact the advancement of women?
In my opinion, to #AccelerateAction towards equality and positively impact the advancement of women, it is essential to empower and support women in securing leadership and decision-making roles. By doing so, we not only create more opportunities for women to advocate for equality but also establish a strong example for others, demonstrating that the goals we strive for are achievable. To facilitate this, it is critical to provide women with access to comprehensive training, professional development, and mentoring opportunities. Additionally, I believe we must enhance incentives for mothers to return to the workforce, particularly by offering flexible working hours, remote work options and promoting a healthy work-life balance. These measures will help ensure that women can thrive both personally and professionally, driving long-term progress toward gender equality.
How do you think International Women's Day can influence the perception of women in leadership roles?
International Women's Day showcases the achievements and potential of women in leadership roles across various industries. It challenges stereotypes surrounding women's abilities in decision-making positions, demonstrating that women can excel in both leadership roles at work and responsibilities at home. It also provides an opportunity to address the barriers women face in attaining leadership positions, such as unconscious bias and lack of representation. By shedding light on these challenges, it encourages organisations to invest more in nurturing female talent, ensuring that women are provided equal opportunities to progress into leadership roles.
What is your best tip for balancing work and life while advancing your career and raising a family?
Effective time management and establishing clear boundaries are essential. With only 24 hours in a day, I make sure to allocate my time efficiently, both professionally and personally. I am fortunate to work with a team that respects my boundaries, and I am grateful for the support of my superiors, who have provided flexible work arrangements, including a four-day workweek, flexible hours, and remote work options. Communication is also key for managing expectations. It is important to be comfortable saying 'no' when necessary or speaking up when you are struggling. I strongly believe in under-promising and over-delivering. Whenever possible, I delegate tasks, both at work and at home, to maintain balance. Furthermore, it is also important to have some time for yourself to avoid being overwhelmed and burned out. Balancing work and motherhood with a young child is undoubtedly challenging, but once you find the right balance, it is absolutely achievable.
How did you prepare for returning to work in a leadership position?
Becoming a mother changes you. I took a year off for maternity leave, though it was far from a break. During that time, as a first-time mother, I navigated the complexities of raising a child, learning to embrace the challenges and grow through them. I believe these experiences have significantly contributed to shaping my leadership skills at work. Much like raising a child, leading a team requires patience, guidance, and a commitment to helping others develop.
Even while on leave, I made a conscious effort to stay connected with my colleagues to remain informed about team changes and updates. I also proactively engaged with my partner to discuss work arrangements and career progression as I prepared to return. By staying informed and setting clear goals, I have been able to map out a path for achieving a leadership role upon my return. To further support my journey of becoming of new leader, Forvis Mazars has also provided me the opportunity to attend the New Managers Development Program in Bangkok, where I was also able to connect with other Asia Pacific managers. Additionally, I am very grateful to my partner for the opportunities he has provided upon my return to work while ensuring that I continue to grow both personally and professionally.
What role should companies and society play in supporting parents, particularly mothers, in the workplace?
Companies and society must be proactive in educating themselves about the challenges that parents, particularly mothers, face in the workplace. By gaining a deeper understanding, they can create more inclusive environments and remain open to implementing policies that support working parents, such as flexible working hours, remote work options, and paid parental leave. Fostering a culture that prioritises work-life balance will not only benefit parents but also create more opportunities for working parents within the already competitive accounting industry.
Moreover, society as a whole must advocate for equal opportunities for all parents, including equitable parental leave, affordable childcare, and ensuring that parents are not penalised in their career progression for taking time off to raise their children. When these supports are in place, parents will feel empowered to thrive in both their professional and personal lives, ultimately contributing to a more diverse, inclusive, and productive workforce.