What was your first job?
I worked for B&I Shipping – a ferry company – and counted tickets all day long. I took this job straight from secretarial school and thought I was going to take on the world. I soon realised the harsh reality: that to get somewhere in life, I needed a good education.
Why did you choose a career in accountancy?
I was never the brightest in school, and my grades never really pointed me towards further study. However, while working for Michael Smurfit (one of the most successful businessmen in Ireland) I received encouragement to further my career. Having done both secretarial work and basic accountancy, I found I enjoyed working with numbers. So, with Smurfit’s support, I started along an accountancy path. At this stage, it was a very long and hard road because I was not entitled to study leave. I worked the normal 48 weeks and used my holidays for exams and study leave. However, I was encouraged to continue by Smurfit and when the going got tough, that support was priceless.
How has your ACCA membership helped your career?
It has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I have made some wonderful lifelong friends. I have access to advice whether career or day to day job advice. And I have made a very good living out of it.
How do you use your accountancy skills in your job?
Each day something crosses my desk which I have been fully trained to deal with and the diversity is quite amazing, whether it is HR, IT, or pure accountancy.
What do you do in your spare time?
Laugh as much as possible! Working life becomes more and more stressful and competitive. A previous boss (Peter E Lynch) always told me to ‘smell the roses’. It was a great bit of advice.
What advice would you give students wanting to rise to the top?
Work hard, be forthright and honest, learn by each and every mistake. You will fail lots of times, but simply dust yourself off and start all over again. Life is short, so do the very best you can to make it as easy all round as possible.