For the second instalment of our Hubster Spotlight series, we’re continuing to explore the many varied roles, and the fantastic people behind the desks at The Lettings Hub. This month we’ve spoken to Dan, our Accountant, who’s given us an exclusive insight into the Finance team…
Hi Daniel! Tell us what your current job role at The Lettings Hub is?
Hi. I am second-in-command in the Finance Team. I’m responsible for producing the Management Accounts and supporting the wider Finance Team with their processes and collaborating with other departments within The Lettings Hub. I report to the Finance Director, and my official job title is Assistant Management Accountant.
What does your day-to-day look like?
Currently we are in a phase dedicated to constant improvement. The business has grown rapidly, so a large part of my job is planning, adding financial controls, and improving our transactional processes. My typical morning begins with responding to any emails that the rest of the finance team need support with, or the wider team in Operations. I spend almost my whole day using Excel to remodel, perfect, and future-proof our finance processes. I then roll this out to the rest of the team so that we understand each other’s roles, and how they impact the overall financial picture of the business.
What did you study? And what drew you to the field of Finance?
I had always been interested in Finance, and am a huge Excel geek, but didn’t start aiming towards a career in this field until I was in my 30’s – my previous University studies were in History and French. I was working for Royal Mail so decided to use my evenings to study towards an MSc in Finance. I graduated in 2020 and, following a successful secondment with the Royal Mail Finance team, secured a permanent position as a Management Accountant with a different corporation.
What made you choose The Lettings Hub? And what has your journey here looked like so far?
My previous employer was a U.S. multinational which had a habit of restructuring frequently; including my line manager, and my cohorts were relocated to Dublin. I worked remotely but missed the direct interaction, so looked for something more local. Every communication I had with The Lettings Hub was positive and gave me a good feeling that this was the sort of role that would give me great fulfilment as I like problem solving and working with people.
The first couple of months were intense as I had a lot to learn about how the businesses operated, and what it needed. The role I came into was a newly created one, so there has been an element of freedom to really get involved in every process and get a good understanding of how my role could best benefit The Lettings Hub. It’s very much been a case of working alongside my colleagues, listening to the issues they have with their role, and offering solutions and guidance to improve accuracy and save time.
You recently won ‘Most Influential’ at the company’s Quarterly Awards, given to the person who stands out as being passionate about the business and who influences others by being a role model. What did winning it mean to you?
It’s reassuring that people value my work. I get to work with a great bunch of people that share my desire to want the business to succeed and grow, and when you have a team that is working towards the same goal it is easy to get your ideas across. Having come from larger corporations was helpful because the building blocks that you take for granted as part of a huge business are exactly the sort of things that will push The Lettings Hub to the next level as we continue to grow.
What aspect of your job do you find most challenging and what do you find most enjoyable?
Most challenging might have been when I first started. I had to find my feet very quickly within the first few months to support the team where needed, but ultimately it was a great learning curve and I settled into my role really well.
Most enjoyable is constantly learning new things. Having to continuously adapt with a business as dynamic as The Lettings Hub has been a really enjoyable challenge and I feel my development has benefited as a result.
Why is the work you’re doing so important?
Our processes need to be robust so that we report accurately, and defensible so that when we are audited, we can stand by the figures we produce. I am taking responsibility for ensuring we have these processes in place, and that my team is trained to understand and follow them.
What advice do you have for people wanting to break into your field?
Some of the best advice I would give to any aspiring Management Accountant would be to upskill at MS Excel. It has been invaluable and has enabled me to add control and efficiency quickly and accurately.
Can you tell us about a memorable day in your career?
This was before I joined The Lettings Hub, but was one of my first big accomplishments working in Finance. I had been reconciling some accounts that had been abandoned, and following a lot of time and effort, as well as liaising with numerous external stakeholders, the result was that a large amount of cash was received into one of our business bank accounts. It was great to see that all of the hard work had been worth it, and that it was producing results.
Do you have any hobbies or passions that you pursue outside of work?
I still play hockey to a mediocre (at best!) standard for a local club. I play a bit of guitar in my spare time, and recently got back into gaming (much to the delight of my wife). I am an Aston Villa fan and have forced my 10-year-old daughter to come down to Villa Park with me this season – which she loved!
Can you finish the thought “This year, I really want to spend some time…”?
… abroad! We’ve not been abroad since first lockdown so it would be really nice to go somewhere sunny for a week.
Favourite random fact?
“The sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick” is believed to be the toughest tongue twister in the English language.