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Unlocking Career Potential: Insights from the Journey to CFO - ACA Route Into Industry 2024 Event

​​The Investigo Journey to CFO: ACA Route Into Industry 2024 event, organized by Investigo, was a fantastic gathering aimed at guiding newly qualified accountants who are looking for their next challenge, or making the transition from practice to industry. Held last week, this event brought together a community of accounting and finance (A&F) professionals eager to share insights and strategies for career advancement. The highlight of the evening was hearing from five accomplished speakers, each of whom shared their unique career paths and offered invaluable advice to attendees.
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1. Sophie Engwell – Head of Finance, Grosvenor Real Estate

Sophie Engwell emphasized the importance of curiosity in career growth. Her advice to the audience was to:

  • Be Curious: Ask questions and engage with peers and colleagues, as they are excellent resources for learning and expanding your network.

  • Self-awareness: Identify the tasks you enjoy and those you struggle with. Focus on improving areas you find challenging, as these are often opportunities for development.

  • Seize Opportunities: Embrace new projects, secondments, or committees without overthinking. These experiences are rarely permanent but offer invaluable learning and networking opportunities.

Sophie’s emphasis on curiosity and self-reflection resonated with many in the audience, highlighting the value of exploring both strengths and weaknesses to grow professionally.

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2. Rachel Watts – Financial Controller, F1 Arcade

Rachel Watts encouraged attendees to maintain a mindset of professional curiosity and flexibility. Her key points included:

  • Stay Curious and Sceptical: Maintain a professional scepticism that drives you to question and understand deeper layers of your work.

  • Avoid Limiting Yourself: Don’t restrict your career options to the industries you have prior experience in; explore various fields.

  • Find Your Ideal Work Environment: Research and reflect on the work environments that best suit your style and goals.

Rachel’s insights emphasized adaptability and openness to new opportunities, encouraging accountants to explore diverse paths in their careers.

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3. Max Parker – Commercial Finance Director, Fever Tree

Max Parker focused on the importance of working alongside talented individuals and developing practical skills. His advice included:

  • Surround Yourself with Excellence: Learn from those who excel in their roles to enhance your skills and knowledge.

  • Ask the “So What?” Question: When analysing data, always consider its implications for the business. Understand the broader impact beyond just the numbers.

  • Master Excel: Develop advanced Excel skills to conduct efficient and meaningful analysis.

Max’s guidance on leveraging mentorship and technical skills provided attendees with actionable strategies to enhance their analytical capabilities.

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4. Mike Harper – Financial Controller, Superdrug

Mike Harper shared insights on finding motivation and staying proactive. His tips included:

  • Choose an Industry You Love: Being passionate about your field helps maintain motivation and encourages continuous learning.

  • Be Proactive Yet Patient: Career paths are non-linear, and opportunities can arise unexpectedly.

  • Embrace Office Life: Use the office as a space to network, understand company culture, and learn from colleagues, especially those more experienced.

Mike’s advice underscored the importance of passion and patience, encouraging accountants to be open to opportunities and to leverage their work environment for growth.

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5. Johnnie Irwin – Vice President, Group Head of FP&A, Sage plc

Johnnie Irwin highlighted the importance of merit-based environments and strategic career planning. His key points were:

  • Seek Merit-Based Opportunities: Look for companies or teams that reward you based on merit, ensuring that your efforts lead to tangible rewards and career progression.

  • Network and Reputation: Never underestimate the power of your network and the importance of doing small tasks well. Building a strong reputation can open doors to new opportunities.

  • Purpose-Driven Decisions: Avoid focusing solely on a prescribed career path. Instead, determine your life’s purpose and make career decisions that align with it, staying open to unexpected opportunities.

The Journey to CFO: ACA Route Into Industry 2024 event was a resounding success, providing newly qualified accountants with actionable advice and inspiration from industry leaders. As the event concluded, attendees left with new perspectives, eager to apply the insights shared by the speakers. Investigo's commitment to fostering a supportive community for A&F professionals was evident throughout the evening. We invite you to become part of this growing network. Whether you are looking to participate in future events or contribute as a speaker, your involvement can help shape the future of the accounting profession.

Interested in participating or speaking at our future Journey to CFO events? Contact us at here to learn more about how you can get involved and help unlock the power of people in the accounting and finance community. Let’s continue to build a thriving network of professionals ready to make an impact in the industry.

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