Clara Schüppen: Germany's Youngest Auditor Talks About Her Work

Clara Schüppen, at the age of 23, has become the youngest auditor in Germany, a remarkable achievement that has garnered attention across the country. Her journey began at a young age when she decided to accelerate her education. Clara attended an international boarding school in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where she quickly excelled in subjects like mathematics. This early success allowed her to skip two years and complete her A-levels by the age of 16. With her academic foundation laid, she was eager to start her professional journey. After completing her A-levels, Clara pursued a degree in International Business at Maastricht University. Initially, she had plans to study abroad in Shanghai, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted those plans. Instead, she graduated in 2021 and began her career in Berlin, joining one of the major auditing firms. Clara's ambition did not stop there; she also enrolled in a two-year master's program in Audit Xcellence at Leuphana University, which is tailored for aspiring auditors. Clara's role at KPMG involves auditing sustainability reports, a field that has gained prominence in recent years. She is particularly interested in the intricacies of these reports, which include critical data on emissions and supply chain risks. For instance, when a corporation claims to be the "greenest company in the world," Clara emphasizes the importance of verifying such statements with solid evidence. Her work ensures that stakeholders can trust the information presented in these sustainability reports, thereby combating the issue of greenwashing. As the youngest auditor in Germany, Clara has faced both admiration and skepticism. Many people congratulated her when her achievement was announced, and she hopes to inspire others to consider a career in auditing. Clara's story is a testament to the potential of young professionals in the field, showcasing that age does not define one's capabilities or contributions to the industry. Her journey is just beginning, and she is excited about the future of auditing and her role in it.