I joined Beyondly (formerly Comply Direct) in 2014 as an AAT Apprentice in the Finance team. From the start, I was supported to learn, grow and build my confidence. As the business was smaller at the time, I had the opportunity to work across all areas of finance, from credit control and sales and purchase ledger, through to supporting with management accounts, while also completing my Level 4 qualification and attending college one day a week.
As the business grew, so did my role. I progressed to Finance Coordinator and then Finance Team Leader, where I led a small team and focused on delivering a high-quality, reliable service. At this stage in my career, I reached a crossroads – whether to continue developing within finance and pursue a chartered qualification or explore a new direction.
My line manager was very supportive throughout this process. They encouraged me to speak with our Management Accountant about the chartered route, while also taking the time to review my strengths, interests and where I could add the most value. It became clear that many of my skills – such as organisation, attention to detail and communication – were highly transferable. At the same time, an opportunity arose within the Quality Team, which aligned closely with both my skill set and my interest in maintaining high standards and continuously improving how we work.
Attention to detail - I’ve always had a strong eye for detail, which has been valuable throughout my career. In finance, this meant ensuring accuracy in invoicing and reporting. In my current quality role, it helps me review processes, investigate non-conformances, and get to the root cause of issues so we can improve and prevent them from happening again.
Customer-first thinking - Customer service has always been at the heart of what we do. In my role, I help ensure we continue to deliver a consistent, high-quality service as the business grows and evolves. Managing our Customer Service Excellence (CSE) accreditation allows me to focus on continuous improvement, using customer feedback to shape better ways of working and new initiatives that add real value.
Positive challenge - A key part of my role is identifying areas for improvement and supporting change. This can sometimes involve difficult conversations, and while I haven’t always got it right, it’s been an important part of my development. I’ve learned that the best approach is to focus on the benefits – helping others understand how changes will improve outcomes for them, our customers, and the wider business.
One experience that really stands out was being involved in a quality-focused project during my time in finance. The aim was to reduce invoicing errors, and I really enjoyed being part of something that improved how we worked as a business. It sparked my interest in quality and showed me the value of working as a team to improve key areas. Looking back, if I hadn’t been given that opportunity by our Operations Manager, I may not have considered moving in a different direction.
My time in finance also gave me a strong foundation for understanding the wider business and seeing things from a customer’s perspective. I developed my communication skills and learned how important it is to listen and show empathy when supporting customers. These experiences have been invaluable in helping me provide a high level of service and support in my current role.
Everyone’s career journey is different, and it’s never too late to try something new. Be open to opportunities, even if they feel outside your comfort zone – they often teach you the most, whether things go to plan or not.
Having a positive attitude makes a big difference. Skills and knowledge can be learned over time, but being willing to learn, adapt and get involved is what really helps you grow.
It’s also important to involve others. I used to feel like I had to do everything on my own, but I’ve learned that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Understanding the strengths of the people around you and working together leads to better outcomes for everyone – for you, your team, and ultimately for our customers.
