My journey into the finance profession started during my AS Level Business Studies class. Through it, I found out about a programme called the Academy of Finance (now called Career Ready) – which allowed successful applicants to work in industry after AS Level for six weeks. I worked in Credit Suisse First Boston (now UBS) from July 2003 to August 2003. The exposure made me apply to Loughborough University’s Accounting and Financial Management program, which has a one-year industrial placement. My placement was at Nomura International PLC as a financial controller.

Since graduating, I have worked in various roles across various sectors in finance: professional services; alternative investments, both on the client-facing side and fund administration side (private equity, venture capital, real estate and hedge funds) and in banking.

I currently work as a Client Account Manager with Morgan Stanley Fund Services, where we look after Morgan Stanley’s hedge fund clients. The role allows me to combine my client relationship management skills with accounting services (month-end reporting, financial reporting and external audit). What I enjoy about the role is the client relationship management - I represent Morgan Stanley when dealing with our clients. This “people” element allows me to combine my social skills with the routine accounting requirements like month-end close, financial reporting and the annual external audit.

"The biggest challenge for finance professionals is that the use of artificial intelligence will make some tasks (like elements of month-end close) redundant, which would lead to a reduction in headcount. However, the people element cannot be replaced. The industry is one where connections matter, whether it’s through referrals for new business or recommendations of key talent."

Our clients are the biggest stakeholders of the firm - without them, the business will not exist. It is important that their needs are met; the use of AI, whilst a challenge for financial professionals, can be harnessed into ways to serve the clients better. Some clients may not be open to these changes, becoming laggards in the process.

Outside of work I love listening to podcasts - mostly news, self-improvement, true crime. I also follow sports like the NBA, NFL and tennis.

My advice for other finance professionals? Stay curious and open minded.