The latest instalment of our Then and Now feature puts Natasha Walman in the hotseat. Natasha, our Finance Administrator, reflects on her key learnings at Insight Associates and her proudest professional achievements.
- Where were you in your career when you joined Insight Associates?
When I started with Insight, I had no experience of finance; I had around six months of office experience in which I had dealt with personal protection insurance (PPI) mis-sold over the years. - What was your job title when you started vs. now?
I joined Insight Associates as an Administrator, and worked my way up to Senior Finance Assistant. My circumstances have recently changed and I am now a Finance Administrator. - What is the biggest thing you’ve learned at Insight Associates?
Patience and understanding. Finance can be tricky for people with no experience, so you really have to explain things clearly and make sure they understand what you’re saying. For example, with the phrases and workings you are telling them, it’s so easy to get something the wrong way around or for them to go away having understood something in a totally different way to what you meant! - What has been your biggest challenge?
Learning the content for the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualifications was a major challenge – I wish I had done it when I was younger! - What were your career aspirations when you were younger? Have they changed?
As a child, I wanted to be an author. I always had a book to hand and loved reading. But, it’s not too late for it still to happen! - What is your biggest professional highlight of the past year
I think I would have to say creating a management account model and linking it to our accounting system (iplicit) without any help was my biggest achievement. Usually, me and Excel are not the best of friends! - What are you most looking forward to about the year ahead?
Spending time with my family. - What has changed for you personally since joining Insight Associates?
Since joining Insight Associates, my financial situation has evolved… notably, I now own a house!
