Most Important Skills For a Sr. Finance Director at Parker Meggitt
A senior finance director's most crucial skills involve translating complex financial data into digestible information for various audiences, using analogies like "breaking down building this pen" to illustrate concepts. Success also hinges on strong interpersonal skills, collaboration, and knowing "where to look on general accounting policies," along with the humility to seek help when needed to become a true business partner.
Communication, Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Data Analysis, Networking
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Job Title
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Shawna Anderson
Sr. Finance Director
Parker Meggitt
California State University, Northride, 2009
UCLA Anderson School of Business, MBA
Finance
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense
Finance
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Strong communication skills to explain complex financial information simply and clearly to various audiences.
2. A solid understanding of general accounting principles and the ability to identify areas for improvement or seek help when needed.
3. Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with colleagues across different functions and build a strong professional network for support and knowledge sharing.
Transcript
What skills are important for a job like yours?
I work with numbers all day, but ultimately, numbers are the results of business or people decisions. Sometimes these decisions are intentional, and sometimes they're not. My role is to ensure that what people intend to do is accurately reflected in the financials, and vice versa.
This means making sure my audience understands when I'm discussing specific numbers or how they relate to simpler concepts. I often bring a pen to meetings to use analogies like "breaking a building" or to discuss standard costs. I try to make things digestible for my audience.
Having a strong background in general accounting policies and knowing what makes sense is also crucial. It's important to understand your own weaknesses and develop a network. This way, if a topic is outside your expertise, you can reach out to someone who is knowledgeable. Being humble and asking for help is key.
Ultimately, working with people—those who report to me, those I report to, and my counterparts in other functions—is critical. This interpersonal skill is what allows you to transition from being just a numbers person to becoming a business partner in the finance function.
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