This time, it’s Guadalupe’s turn to answer some questions. She’s Advertio’s Financial Controller and in charge of making sure that everything runs smoothly with our accounting.
What are some of your job’s largest challenges?
My work comes with a lot of responsibility, which means that everything has to be done with great dedication. Financial controllers deal with the company’s money; the smallest mistake can cause important financial losses. This means that there are quite a lot of challenges but, in my opinion, meeting deadlines for delivering declaratory obligations and monitoring constant legislative changes are undoubtedly the strongest ones.
Which software or tools are most useful for your work?
Nowadays, management support software is essential because, without specific software, we cannot perform accounting, and without accounting, there is no control. In addition to the software, I would say that Microsoft Excel is undoubtedly an indispensable tool, both in accounting and management support.
Where do you think companies spend more money unnecessarily?
Well, this answer varies according to each company’s reality.
I would say that not all companies spend money where they don’t need to. Fortunately, there are those in which no money goes out without it being suitably necessary and justified.
That said, the fact is that there are also companies in which there is no control whatsoever, where the entrepreneur spends the company’s money as if it were their own. I think that’s where significant management problems begin and why there are promising businesses that do not succeed.
What’s the best and worst part of your job?
Let’s start with the not so great aspects.
Most professionals in the financial area are overloaded with work, which, in my opinion, is almost a cultural issue. At the same time, the fact that we work with deadlines implies that we don’t have the opportunity to “work as we go” because things have to be done no matter what. The pressure generated by this dynamic causes a lot of stress and constant concern, which is not always easy to manage.
Now for the good part. In the midst of this dynamic, there’s no place for monotony. Our work is always an adventure that needs to be managed with meticulous planning so that nothing fails.
I thrive under pressure and, after doing this for some years, I’m used to it. It has become something I can manage with some ease.
Why did you decide to pursue this area and what advice do you have for someone who’s looking to do the same?
I never really made plans to work in the financial industry. However, the choice I made before university ended up taking me there and I’m happy it did.
The advice I can give to someone who wants to pursue a career in this area is to think it through and evaluate the pros and cons of the profession. There are a lot of challenges that come with it, and you have to love what you do to be successful.
Once you have done that and continue to believe this is the best career for you, then I would say to go ahead and give it a go.
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