What kind of education and career background do you have?

I could say I’m a returnee. I was born in Turku, but grew up in Pietarsaari and through studies and work ended up back here again. I got the degree from a university of applied sciences in business, and kind of accidentally ended up in purchase ledger through summer jobs. The best training for work has been achieved by practical doing: I have worked for six years in various financial tasks, and received both responsibility and the opportunity to grow guided by my own interest and strengths.

What is required of a good controller?

Analyticality, accuracy and the ability to question – I think I have these qualities. I also feel that I am systematic and can concentrate for a long time on a certain thing. Except if it’s about lost items or temperamental electronics!

And my work self doesn’t differ much from my home self. Accuracy continues there too, and I think more about financial matters than others with us.

What are the typical tasks of a controller?

I’ve heard that the controller’s job description can be seen as boring, but I think it’s anything but. With professional pride, I feel I am an important part of the company’s whole. A funnel is needed between accounting and management, and I think that is one of the most important tasks of a controller. The cornerstone of the work is to support management in decision-making by producing various reports and other financial material.

By questioning existing models, processes are sought to be developed more economically and cost-effectiveness is sought. Self-direction and interest and desire to understand wider contexts are an important part of the controller’s problem-solving work.

I always think that if the company’s money were my own, how would I act – would I accept the invoice or would I refrain from making a complaint?

So cash flows, invoicing and its tracking, financial forecasts and various reports, ledger and small accounting work are also on my desk.

What made you apply for a job at Stairon?

The job description that came across through the job advertisement and a good first impression. I did not know Stairon beforehand – and the industrial sector is also new to me. Luckily, the relaxed and fair work community of Stairon has welcomed me openly. I have been given time to learn things, and not all the new things have been started to press immediately.

I feel that an easily approachable work community has an enormously important significance, as we spend so many hours at work every day. There is freedom and trust here, one example of which is flexible working hours.

Do you have future career goals?

At least in the beginning, the most important goal is to take over the current job in the best possible way. At Stairon, people are open and support the growth dreams of their employees, so I hope I can also take advantage of interesting additional training opportunities in the coming years. As the miles accumulate and with it the experience, I have outlined in my mind, among other things, the career path of a business controller.

What does it feel like to be a woman in a male-dominated field?

I have been very neutral on the issue from the beginning, even though others have asked me about it. Nothing negative has come up in everyday life regarding this issue. Stairon’s work community is really equal, we are all on the same line and there is no pecking order or “who makes the coffee” vibe here.

When the machines turn off, what do you do in your free time?

There are usually two options: either I exercise or watch TV shows on the couch. I confess to being a major consumer of Nordic crime dramas and historical series. I am also an animal lover, and in addition to the family, I have two lovely cats as company on the couch.