One tough Mudder.

• Position: Finalentry - Interview

Meet Sidney HSU: An avid horseback rider who recently finished an intense obstacle course testing he stamina and will power thai was designed by British Special Forces and is known as the Tough Madder. And hsu's business life is just as interesting. As a manager in forensics with PrieewaterliouseCoopers she is sent on some top secret assignments and sometimes only is told where she is going 24 hours before boarding the plane. This was all too interesting to pass up, so we talked to Hsu to learn a bit more about ibis scrappy CPA.

So, we're dying to know, did you have what it takes to be a Tough Mudder?

I did! It took more than tour hours, but I made it across the finish line.

What was that experience like?

It was intense. Tough Mudder is as much about mental stamina and teamwork as ii is about physical grit. Growing up, I never thought of myself as particularly athletic, so Pm proud of myself for conquering something as rigorous as this.

What did you learn about yourself on the course?

I learned to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. If you focus on the next step, the rest will take care of itself.

You're no stranger to excitement. PwC sends you all over the world on top secret missions. Can you tell us more, or would you have to kill us if you did?

I might! No. I'm just kidding. Fm pari of (he forensic services practice at PwC, which I like to think of as the SWAT team of accounting. We are skilled at parachuting into unfamiliar situations, assessing key risks, sifting through large volumes of data, and then finding the relevant facts. At times, our clients are facing highly confidential situations (such as financial statement fraud, anti-corruption or FCPA investigations), which could mean getting on a plane with less than 24 hours" notice. We also apply our skill sets more broadly to less crisis-driven situations, such as contract compliance between business partners, export controls and cybercrime. Given how global the business world is, one of the best parts of my job is working with international partners and observing their business practices.

What are the most interesting places you've been sent for work?

I have been around the world--twice in this year. The most interesting places are those with rich histories and vibrant cultures. I sampled reindeer in Stockholm, visited the Tower of London, shopped for shoes in Sao Paolo and drank coconut juice in Manila. My favorite parts of traveling are tasting the local cuisine...