Urban Splash is a British company that regenerates decaying industrial warehouses, mills and Victorian terraced houses, and builds modern methods of construction (MMC) houses. I enjoy the challenge and variety of work. Finance is the gatekeeper; I am always being involved in new projects, and having to continually reset and reassess the way I think.
I self-studied AAT and ACCA, which has helped me understand the principles of accountancy a lot better. It has also enabled me to explain technical accounting principles, like prepayments and deferrals, to non-finance business partners, helping them to better understand the impact of their financial decisions.
You need to be willing to challenge the most senior people in your company
Accountants need to understand the full breadth of the business to be able to provide the required challenge, but also to provide the right analysis to inform different business partners. Finance can be really powerful. When undertaken properly, it creates the checks and balances to ensure divisions work together and projects are in step with the business’ wider aims. You need an independent and critical mindset and to be willing to challenge the most senior people in your company.
Sustainability has moved front and centre in business planning. Resources are finite, so we all must ensure they are used in a way that enables them to be reused, recycled or reproduced. Net zero targets are driving change in all industries, with construction responsible for 40% of the UK’s emissions. Current financial management and traditional KPIs, such as return on investment and payback, are inadequate in assessing these projects, so we have to rethink how these large, long-term projects are assessed.
