What advice would you give individuals who are starting out in finance now? 

• Always stay true to yourself, and do not be backed into a corner doing things you are not comfortable with. Speak to your manager or to HR because that is what they are there for
   

• Work hard but try to have a healthy work-life balance
   

• Don’t be afraid to question people and do not think anyone is cleverer than you because everybody has their own insecurities

• Study while you’re young because when you take on responsibilities later in life such as mortgages, families, and jobs, studying is much harder to do. And by studying, I mean getting your financial and accountant qualifications because having better qualifications gives you more confidence, more assertiveness, and a higher salary later down the line. Of course, you can be qualified by experience, but I’m not sure if that holds quite as much weight and you will certainly be marked down in salary

We all have different perspectives and values which is better when mixed all together.

How has the industry changed since you first started out? And are these changes for the better? 

When I first entered the industry, there were predominantly men in the office. Accountancy was a very male-dominated industry, and it was difficult for women to get a promotion and to have their voices heard while men were promoted internally. And particularly where I was, in the manufacturing sector, so much of the upper actions were driven by men. But today, things have improved. There are many more women in the industry and opportunities are given down to the person best fort the job – that’s equality. Since I began working in more senior positions, I’ve noticed that I am no longer the only woman sitting at the table. I am fortunate that this never bothered or intimidated me, but representation of women is crucial.

Moreover, the advent of computers and the rapid advancement of technology has flown off the scale, which has streamlined the accountancy industry in a big way. This of course impacts the levels of fraud – cyber fraud plays a big part in our role. In just my working life I’ve had several instances where somebody has impersonated a supplier and money gets diverted. With all the benefits that technology brings, cyber fraud and criminals are the downsides – it’s the modern phenomenon.

What changes / improvements do you feel finance departments need to implement to drive further change and promote greater inclusivity?

Employers owe their team a duty of care to make their workplace safe and comfortable.

There are some differences in terms of diversity; some may be visible such as your age, and some may be invisible, such as your family background. True inclusion is having a diverse workforce, but I don’t want to be hired because I make up a number or tick a quota. I want to be hired because I’m the best for that job; I bring a certain set of skills, experience, and qualification.

I come from Ireland and have had a brilliant experience in the workforce and I haven’t felt I’ve been held back just because I am a woman or from a different background. We all have different perspectives and values which is better when mixed all together. So we must respect and value one another, because 95 per cent of the human race is good. Let’s not let that 5 per cent tarnish it.