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Aalto University School of Business master’s students Ridwan Hashi (Information and Service Management) and Andrey Melnyk (Business Analytics & Life Science Technology) collaborated with KPMG Finland’s Tax & Legal team in a Customized Student Business Project from May to August 2025. The goal was to explore how publicly available data could be more effectively used to strengthen KPMG’s tax and legal services. 

Building on their studies and carrying out thorough research supported by KPMG professionals, the students examined workflows and identified how AI and public data could support and improve the team’s ways of working and the services offered to clients. From the very beginning, the collaboration offered a unique opportunity to experience the dynamics of working in a Big Four environment while contributing to real business challenges.

Where AI meets the real world

The professional services industry is evolving rapidly as new technologies and growing amounts of public data reshape how tax and legal work is carried out. Firms like KPMG are constantly looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve by finding smarter, more efficient methods to serve their clients as well as increase their in-house efficiency. In this changing environment, understanding both the opportunities and the limitations of data and AI has become essential.

The project set out to explore how KPMG’s Tax & Legal team could make greater use of publicly available data in their work. To do so, the students first needed to understand the team’s current workflows, the landscape of the industry, and the specific needs that data-driven solutions could address. 

‘As the project unfolded, it turned out to be far more complex and nuanced than initially expected, revealing the many dimensions that come with applying fast-changing technologies and the public data landscape in a demanding professional context. By combining research and analysis with ongoing discussions with KPMG professionals and management, we were able to identify where the combination of AI and public data might add value, from improving everyday tasks to opening entirely new possibilities,’ Andrey Melnyk says.

Great collaboration on a challenging project

The collaboration offered KPMG fresh perspectives on how their services could be developed further, while at the same time giving the students first-hand experience of how a leading professional services firm approaches complex challenges in a dynamic and highly competitive environment.

‘The project turned out to be a lot more complex than I initially expected, and it required deep knowledge and careful thinking at every stage. I especially valued the diversity of the work, as the project involved many tasks that allowed me to learn and develop in different ways. Working together with the KPMG team and our Aalto team added a lot to the experience, and having the chance to see how a Big Four firm operates in practice was especially inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed directly applying what I’ve learned in my studies in a professional setting, and the experience gave me greater confidence in my abilities going forward,’ says Ridwan Hashi.

Project supervisor Timo Seppälä agrees with the complexity level assessment. ‘This has certainly been one of the most challenging projects I have faced when supervising Customized Student Business Projects. Students still were able to take charge of the difficult project and deliver results in an agreed timetable.’ 

Andrey Melnyk sees the project as valuable combination of technology specialist assignment and consultancy. ’During my recent studies, I have focused on technical and analytical topics, particularly AI. This project gave me the chance to experience consulting work in practice, which I found both challenging and rewarding. I especially valued seeing how advanced technologies are applied in the daily operations of a global firm like KPMG, while also gaining insight into the complexity behind these processes. The experience allowed me to apply what I’ve learned in my studies in a professional setting and provided skills and perspectives that will be valuable in the future.’

Project owner Juha Sääskilahti Senior Tax Partner at KPMG praises the students’ efforts. ‘This proved to be a highly complex problem, yet students delivered excellent work, offering solutions and valuable new ideas. It has certainly been beneficial for KPMG to be part of this project.’