SPOTLIGHT ON: Abdul Juned
We’re thrilled to be celebrating EduFin’s latest success story - Abdul Juned, who has recently advanced to the role of Associate Director! We sat down to explore his journey from Junior Consultant to now, shedding light on what it takes to develop and grow at EduFin and what advice he would give to those who may be considering a role in finance.
Hi Abdul! So, what made you begin your journey at EduFin?
I started at EduFin seven years ago. I’d been working in a school and had just been promoted to Finance Manager but I didn’t feel like I was learning much in the role. I handed in my notice and I knew I wanted to go elsewhere but felt like I was at a dead end.
Thankfully, I’d previously met an EduFin Director who had the knowledge and expertise I wanted to work alongside. When I was offered the role here it came at the perfect time. I had some experience but there was so much more to learn. It felt like the start of something exciting.
When you started out what were your main responsibilities?
As a Junior Consultant it was mainly data entry to start with, putting on orders, invoices and income. At that time the company was smaller so I was exposed quite quickly to a wider scope, which allowed me to become familiar with some areas of the system administration and preparation for Management Accounts. I worked directly on clients with the Directors and was encouraged to expand my skills under their guidance.
How did your responsibilities evolve over time?
To start with I got a lot of exposure as I was one of only two Junior consultants at the time which was a real privilege. We performed tasks so often, we quickly learnt as we went along.
Initially directors would review and make notes, but as we were doing it so often we became independent. Eventually I could submit management accounts and produce work that didn’t need checking and as time went on I was trusted with more work. Over the years I developed until I could cover all aspects of education finance and manage my own clients.
What are three key components of your role?
Managing clients expectations is extremely important. Good communication and ensuring everyone is happy is essential.
Leading teams. I did lead Apprentices and Juniors, but now that I am an Associate Director I line manage other areas of the business including the next Team Leaders.
Time management is a huge thing. You need to be able to multi-task, prioritise workload and ensure that quality always remains high.
What have you enjoyed about working for EduFin?
The best thing is getting consistent feedback and recognition for all our hard work.
Right now is a very exciting time. The last few years have seen substantial growth and additional staff joining the team. I really enjoy helping and mentoring, so it’s an exciting time to be involved. As EduFin continues to grow and develop to meet the demands of the sector, it’s great to have a front row seat and to be part of it’s future.
Along your journey what did you find challenging? What did you need to develop?
It’s got to be my confidence! When I first joined I was very shy, I wondered if this would even be the right job for me. Consultancy involves meeting new people and this was intimidating. I think that now that I know what I can achieve and I recognise knowledge I have to give. My work speaks for itself and I’ve learnt that confidence is key! Another challenge is of course juggling different tasks, but I actually thrive off that way of working, so I find it enjoyable.
Throughout all of this how do the Directors support you?
To get me to this point we’ve had consistent training and reviews. Helpdesk was a great way to understand the system side of things, but the ongoing support in general is great.
One very unique thing about EduFin is that we have a direct line of contact with the Directors, not many other companies have that. When you receive an answer to a query, you know it’s the right one. The moment you join as an apprentice you get that access from the get go. They are the experts and they’re very approachable.
What’s the next step for you?
For me , as I’m still adapting to this brand new role, I’m relying on support from the Directors as I learn new aspects of the job. Eventually, I want to get to a point where I can work independently without needing to seek advice from the Directors. I’m not there yet, but as with my previous roles within EduFin, you learn as you go along.
I’m now included in the Directors meetings and get to see how the business is run and what kind of things are discussed as EduFin grows. It’s like looking behind the scenes and even from those meetings I learn a lot.
What would you say to someone considering starting as a Junior Consultant?
I’ve been carrying out interviews for new Apprentices and Juniors. As I’ve said, this wasn’t my first ever job, this was my second. When I see them I think “Wow, if I ever got the chance to start again, I would come straight to this position at the young age they have.” In those initial years they will learn so much!
If finance is your ambition, EduFin is a great place to start. Your skills will be nurtured and developed in a way that you may not get from entering into other job roles. Here, you know you will learn in the correct way and get a head start.