Sharon Cunningham ACA, Head of Finance at EirGen, talks about her training and career, and what it takes to succeed in the world of business.
What’s your role at EirGen?
I’m responsible for the finance function at EirGen. I manage a team of 10 people and ensure that appropriate systems and internal controls are implemented and maintained in a SOX-regulated environment. As part of the company’s management team, I also work on diverse and challenging projects that impact the strategic direction of the company.
How do you structure your day?
I generally answer emails first thing and check in with the team before putting the head down for a few hours to get through my work. I try to schedule any conference calls for the afternoon, particularly ones with our parent company, OPKO Health Inc. in Miami given the time difference.
What sacrifices did you make to reach this point in your career?
Studying to become a chartered accountant while completing my training contract with PwC meant three years of long hours with national and international travel and plenty of weekend lectures, study and exams. It was tough and I missed out on a lot of nights out and social occasions with my family and friends, but it was 100% worth it. Fast forward a few years and I decided to do it all again by studying for my MBA at Smurfit over two years while working in a busy role, travelling to Dublin from Waterford twice a week for lectures and giving birth to two babies in between. It was a major juggling act, but I’ve recently graduated and I don’t regret a minute of it.
What were your biggest weaknesses as a trainee?
I focused too much on working very hard and I probably didn’t manage to strike a good work-life balance. That said, there wasn’t a whole lot of time due to work, study and travel commitments. If I was to give a trainee advice, it would be to take a deep breath, try to emerge from the detail and see the bigger picture – make effective use of your time.
How do you stay motivated?
Professionally, I enjoy dealing with the various stakeholders in the business – the co-founders of the company who inspire me and keep me motivated daily, the directors, shareholders, banks, government agencies and so on. I enjoy assessing different challenges and opportunities, and providing solutions and advice. Personally, I always have a goal or project that I’m working on in the background.
What do you look for in young chartered accountants?
I look for bright, enthusiastic individuals that can demonstrate a desire to succeed – preferably with a proven track record. Organisational fit is hugely important to me and all the smarts in the world won’t make up for a personality that doesn’t fit the existing dynamic. Above all, I look for common sense; someone who is well-balanced and possesses a ‘can-do’ attitude.
What key skills should students develop early in their careers?
There are three key skills, in my opinion: problem solving – the ability to recognise solutions to problems quickly; scenario analysis – the ability to present multiple scenarios succinctly; and report writing – it’s essential to be able to get your point across in as few words as possible.
What do you wish you had known when you were a student?
It’s much more beneficial to concentrate your efforts on working smarter and not harder – don’t sweat the small stuff.