Sarah-Jane Howard

Position: Finance Administration Manager

Sarah-Jane (SJ) started her career as an apprentice working for a large clothing retailer and within her first year there she was promoted to Assistant Manager. SJ loves working with people and developing teams, and throughout her career has had a variety of jobs across a number of sectors – working in banking, estate agency, telecommunications, retail and the police force as a special inspector. In 2017, SJ secured a role in Finance, and this is where she found the love of numbers. SJ joined Avove’s accounts payable team in January 2022.

What does a Finance Administration Manager do?

I am a Finance Administration Manager and Team Leader, managing five people. I am a hands-on manager, so there isn’t a typical day here. I juggle meetings, I’m learning new aspects of the role and also processing every day.

We work on a number of contracts assisting them with project codes, work orders, POs and applications for payment amongst other things. We’re a newly formed team and we’re keen to get to grips with our area of work – lightening the load for our commercial colleagues and letting them focus on their daily roles rather than having to deal with the finance element.

What do you like about working for Avove?

Avove is like a breath of fresh air! You are seen, heard and welcomed right from your first day – it has a real family feel and all colleagues from the Executive Team to the Senior Leadership Team and throughout the company are amazing and friendly.

In every role, I have worked hard and kept my head down. At Avove – my determination and hard work are recognised. I was recently promoted into my current role to the Manager of a brand-new team assisting with financials within the commercial area of the business. I love leading a team and learning new things every day. It’s the challenge I’ve been looking for and wanting throughout my career. This has been the best decision of my life so far – many doors have been opened to me, and I feel like I have gained a whole new family and secured a promotion – all within the space of a year.

Do you have any advice for someone looking to get into finance?

If finance interests you – just go for it! I’d encourage anyone to take a look at a career in finance – don’t think of it as boring and just dealing with numbers – there is so much more to a finance role and starting from the bottom and learning the ropes can open so many doors for you in the future!

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