I started my career in 2014 as a graduate at Mazars UK in the accounting and outsourcing department. Following a year in retail finance reporting I took an interest in management accounting. I then became a key member of the national cloud solution team working to roll out Xero and Receipt Bank across 17 offices.
I wanted to work in Australia as most of the innovation was coming from here. After a three-month secondment in 2018 I was fortunate enough to secure a full-time position in the Australian team.
You don’t need to be an expert in everything: you just need to partner with the right people
I am now growing Mazars Australia’s cloud accounting solutions to help future proof the business, both for our clients and internally. The key principle is to achieve a deep understanding of the client’s specific needs and requirements to tailor a bespoke solution and make a positive and long-lasting impact on their business. This role gives me the opportunity to work not only across multiple industries but to collaborate and share knowledge across Asia Pacific.
I’ve learnt that you don’t have to be an expert in everything: you just need to partner with the right people. Focus on the key functions or verticals in which you want to build knowledge and experience, and work with experts on more intricate implementations.
Technology has allowed a smooth transition to remote working due to Covid-19. Many who had previously been resistant to change now understand the huge benefits that technology provides. We are seeing a wider ecosystem adoption, including in reporting, inventory, POS and project management. Now more than ever businesses need timely and accurate information to make decisions around working capital and profit margins, and can use technology to reduce overheads.
My biggest career achievement has been earning a transfer to Australia and establishing myself within a network of key players across the profession. Positioning myself within this network has allowed me to assist with research for a number of well-known cloud-based solutions advising on areas of product improvement. I am very proud to have had an influence on their product decisions in order to improve the software for the benefit of my clients and peers.