Meet Laura, the finance manager here at Claire’s School Solutions! Laura has worked here at Claire’s for two years now but has worked within the finance industry for 19 years. But what is a finance manager? I sat down with Laura to talk all things finance, and hopefully provide an insight into what it’s really like to work in the industry. We hope you enjoy!
So, for anyone who doesn’t know, what is a finance manager?
Well, in general, a finance manager deals with sales ledgers, purchase ledgers, payroll and credit control. More specifically, my role at Claire’s involves invoicing schools for staff, paying our staff for work, and paying any other invoices for the business. As well as chasing schools if they don’t pay us on time! Thankfully, all our schools are lovely and I rarely have to chase – thank you!
What does a typical morning look like for you? What time do you wake up and what time do you arrive to work?
I wake up at around 6:40am and drop my youngest daughter off at school for around 8:15 (on a good day haha!). I get to work for 8:30 and check through my emails, check for any new payments that have come through, and clear invoices from the system.
Depending on the day, it’s either getting started with payroll (on a Tuesday), invoicing (on a Wednesday) and a general catchup (on a Thursday).
What is the first thing you do when arriving at work?
The very first thing I do is make a cup of coffee, haha! Then, I check and respond to any emails that have come through since I left the day before.
What are some of your daily tasks?
Every day I update the bank account on the system, match any payments to invoices and pay any bills that need paying.
My daily tasks tend to change depending on the day, I love the variety my job brings me!
What is your work environment like compared to other places you have worked?
This is the best place I’ve ever worked!!
How long have you worked in finance and what got you into the industry?
I’ve worked in finance almost 19 years now. My first job was in 1988, but I took some some time out to care for my 3 daughters.
I started work on a YTS (Youth Training Scheme) when I left school at 16. That got me into working in finance (using typewriters!). I then went on to work at the Ritz in London in 1992 doing the purchase ledger, so this job has taken me all over! But home is where the heart is and I have definitely found my forever home now.
What is your favourite thing about being a finance manager?
I love the routine! I like knowing what I’m doing every day and being organised, and I can structure the days to what I need to do.
Keep an eye out on our website for more ‘A Day in the Life of…’ interviews with Team Claire’s coming soon!
