I’m interviewing Megan Scheiderich, director of internal audit at PulteGroup. If you didn’t know, PulteGroup is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious homebuilders.
So I have to open the interview with THE question. One of those questions you dread asking because the answer is so obvious and self-evident. But you have to ask it to ensure a full, healthy discussion.
I swallow my pride, choke down a sigh, and let ’er rip:
“What is a homebuilder?”
And, like clockwork, Scheiderich responds with THE answer:
“Someone who builds homes.”
Thankfully, she elaborates.
OK, so what EXACTLY does a homebuilder do?
“PulteGroup is a consumer-driven company that builds consumer-inspired homes to make people’s lives better,” Scheiderich says. “We try to build houses to match the way people live and the way they want to live, so they can be a part of the American dream.”
I stop holding my breath and let out that sigh. This is going to be a good interview after all.
Later in the discussion, Scheiderich points to the self-evidence of the “homebuilder” title as a benefit rather than a hindrance.
“Everyone knows what you do when you work for a homebuilder. My dad didn’t know what I did in accounting, but now he gets it. It’s very relatable,” she says.
Making dreams come true
According to Scheiderich, homebuilding is less about boards and nails and more about helping families fulfill the full promise of their lives. If you work at a homebuilder like PulteGroup, you’ll be part of that mission.
And you’ll enjoy a closer level of interaction with your customers than you will in other industries.
“We get to see our customers a lot more,” Scheiderich says. “We get to help them achieve their dreams, whether it’s with the designers who help them pick out what their house is going to be, to our field managers, to our closing coordinators who will finally hand them the keys.”
This stands in sharp contrast to other industries that may seem similar on the surface.
“Homebuilding is a lot bigger in scale,” Scheiderich says. “With real estate and construction, you don’t have that level of interaction with the customers. I get to tour models, pick up design ideas, and so much more.”
The accounting side of homebuilding
So as an accountant or financial professional, what does your day look like at a homebuilder like PulteGroup?
According to Scheiderich, you’ll get a holistic view of the company, with your decisions impacting every aspect of the business.
“You get to understand what the industry is, what things cost,” she says. “You learn why things are affordable in certain areas and aren’t in others. You’ll review the costs of building a house, from lumber to asphalt, shingles, and even land. You really get a soup-to-nuts view of how the industry works.”
Building communities, not just homes
While PulteGroup is a homebuilder at heart, its true vision is larger: building communities that foster teamwork, friendship, and better quality of life.
“At PulteGroup, you get to see how we think about our cities, how we live versus how we should live, and how to make the best use of land,” Scheiderich says. “Most people want to own a home–it’s very relevant to your life. I find it very exciting.”
In short, when customers turn to PulteGroup, they’ll find a partner that’s just as concerned with how they live as where they live. And if you work for PulteGroup, you won’t just be building homes–you’ll be helping families build happier lives.
Ready to be a homebuilder?
PulteGroup is currently looking to hire corporate auditors for its Atlanta office. If you’re searching for a fulfilling position that lets you help people make their American dreams a reality, this might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Click the link below to apply now.
Atlanta, Ga. positions
