As a client solutions assistant manager, my responsibilities are varied. I look after internal product development, ongoing client relationship management, people management and development, and new client onboarding. I manage a team of five across multiple ongoing projects, and the varied nature of our work with clients means no two days are ever the same. There’s always a data-related problem to solve, and our teamwork approach keeps us on top of the challenge.
For me the appeal of financial services is that it’s a highly dynamic industry. It has allowed me to gain an excellent, broad and transferrable skillset, and utilise it in a way that complements my interests. I work at Fund Recs, a Dublin-based Irish SaaS company that offers automated reconciliation, data transformation and workflow solutions across the asset management industry.
It was an honour to be named Ireland’s top ACCA affiliate for 2022
My journey to ACCA qualification was a long one, only recently achieved. I have an immunological background, so there were no exemptions whatsoever.
Happily, my exam results surpassed anything I could have expected. I managed three global top five placings (including one first place) and three first in Ireland placings. It was a further honour to be named Ireland’s top ACCA affiliate for 2022 in recognition of this achievement.
When I’m asked for tips on preparing well for an exam, my advice is to do things in your own way using suitable resources. Too often, the method of exam preparation is prescribed and rigid, whereas finding out how you study most effectively and then actioning it accordingly is more important in my opinion. My preferred method was to mix podcasts and videos in with reading textbooks from different providers.
Qualification has started to open the doors for progression for me
Being qualified means I have got my evenings back to myself. It also means I have numerous opportunities for further development, both personally and professionally. Member events, CPD courses and getting involved where I can with the wider community has been an enjoyable experience to date. It has also further expanded my personal skillset and started to open the doors for future progression.
Looking to the future, I hope to be able to apply the learnings from the exams in practical settings. I think it will further my career and add value wherever I go. I have no doubt that the qualification and my successes and the networking opportunities they afford me will lay good foundations to build on.
I would like the year ahead to be one of self-directed professional development. I’m furthering my knowledge of areas important to me, such as the implementation of sustainable reporting standards, data analytics and automation. I’m also building my knowledge of regulations within the asset management industry with a view to new product development and solution design.
