FAAS has a multidisciplinary team that designs and implements creative solutions to address challenges faced by accounting and finances teams in every industry. We work mainly with US multinational organisations operating in EMEA, APAC and the Americas, in areas such as business process outsourcing (BPO), global payroll and global compliance solutions. We are passionate about delivering innovative solutions through our diverse team of over 250 people and 27+ nationalities.
I work mainly in the BPO space and love the variety the role brings. I have had the opportunity to work as operations manager for a US-based client company, overseeing all finance functions for 31 entities across EMEA and APAC. I’ve also been on numerous secondments, most recently as a finance manager in another US-headquartered company with operations in Ireland.
We can automate monotonous tasks, which lets the team work on the more value-add aspects of a project
Staying up to date with digital technologies is key in our sector for maintaining a competitive advantage. We are constantly working on process improvements both internally and for our clients. For example, using processes such as RPA (robotic process automation), we can automate monotonous tasks, which lets the team work on the more value-add aspects of a project.
It’s important to constantly look for new challenges in order to grow and develop at a personal level too. I recently completed the ACCA certificate in data analytics, which I found incredibly beneficial and a great introduction to different markets globally.
In the marketplace, the mood is very much optimistic as we come out on the other side of a difficult few years. There is also an awareness of the challenges – namely, the need to maintain the adaptability which was shown during the pandemic, and the importance of re-energising employee engagement in order to retain top talent. This will involve companies becoming more flexible. The vast majority of clients we work with are offering some sort of hybrid work model to their employees.
Opportunities can arise from unexpected places while listening to people can lead to great things
The pandemic made me reflect on my own work-life balance and the challenges associated with that. Coming into 2022, I began to look at holidays and breaks as more of a necessity than a luxury in order to recharge. It’s important to make sure your team are looking after themselves in this way as well. You can have a successful career while also taking time for yourself.
The most important business lesson I have learned in my career is not to write off opportunities straight away and to hear people out. Opportunities can arise from unexpected places, such as a random phone call from a college classmate, or an email from a former colleague. Listening to people can lead to great things. As a favourite quote of mine puts it: you’re either going to learn more or learn nothing, but you’re not going to learn less.
