When I was a child, I was fascinated by my mother’s job as an economist. Sometimes she would bring home her work and I had fun imagining I was a businesswoman. Later, I was inspired when visiting her office.
I earned my first wage during high school when working as a training assistant for an NGO, Leaders for the Third Millennium, a non-formal education project. I then worked as a sales agent, doing various tasks such as invoicing, customer relationship and project management. Both of these experiences were the building blocks for my future and helped to shape me as an individual.
The secret of leading a team successfully is to show mutual respect, act ethically and always ‘walk the talk’
In 2008 I started my journey with British American Tobacco (BAT) as a Senior Master Data Analyst. For the next 13 years I navigated my way through various roles, from accounts receivables team leader to Global Master Data Manager and Internal Business Controls Manager. Each of the roles were true professional learning experiences and also gave the measure of the important role of networking, building and improving soft skills on top of the hard skills. BAT was where I heard of ACCA and I became very interested in the certification, so when it was suggested I take the ACCA qualification, I immediately accepted and became a member in 2015.
I believe the secret of leading a team successfully, irrespective of its size, is to show mutual respect, act ethically and always ‘walk the talk’. This will build trust, which is key to having in an inspired team where every member feels empowered.
In 2021 I embarked in a totally new professional journey and worked as a contractor, which is a different type of experience, requiring a change in thinking. I had to adopt the risk mindset of an entrepreneur, handling all the tasks and obligations implied by this kind of work arrangement like the accounting part, professional insurance, medical insurance and other such things on top of the daily job. I can say that both ways of working come with benefits and drawbacks, and much depends on one’s appetite for risk and the priorities in your life.
I don’t have a single mantra, but during very busy or tough times, I say to myself: ‘Things will be fine.’ This gives me the comfort that I need to continue.
The ability to use agile methodology is vital to understanding new business requirements fast
What I love most about my role is the great opportunity to learn and develop, especially as I am involved in key strategic projects in the SAP 4 HANA implementation space. The British mathematician Clive Humby once said: ‘Data is the new oil,’ and this is exactly what I experience with each new project implementation or process design session. The ability to use agile methodology is vital to understanding new business requirements fast, as well as having the accounting skills that are always the bedrock of any enterprise resource planning implementation.
I feel my biggest achievement is my family and my two children. They are a real source of joy, energy and inspiration.
If I had law-making powers, I would focus on the digitalisation and simplification of the steps needed to register as a self-employed person in Romania, especially after my last experience as a contractor.
If I wasn’t working in finance, I would have liked to have been an interior designer.
My children are eight and five, so I am left with little time for hobbies. However, when I can I enjoy reading, travelling and gardening.
