Goodbye to RAFT – from Mary Pearmain
RAFT’s Accountant Mary says a sad farewell to RAFT this week. Here she speaks highly of her four year’s in post.
When I joined as RAFT’s accountant four years ago, I had no idea what an amazing experience was in store for me.
In some ways, I wasn’t the ideal candidate – my background was in audit and large consumer goods blue-chip companies. It was a steep upward learning curve to become familiar with the labyrinthine rules of Charity Accounting and reporting requirements, as well as to adapt to the scientific world where research and knowledge are (quite rightly) valued more highly than profits.
Luckily, my predecessor had been extremely organised and I soon settled in. My first task was to streamline the accounting and banking systems, making more use of automatic download of information. I found that the trustees had been right – my audit and systems experience in larger companies were invaluable for this job. I’ve found it really satisfying to automate the more mundane accounting procedures so I can use my time to provide the essential management information required for strategic decisions.
The most challenging area for me has been keeping the finances in step with the scientists. They are an incredible bunch, buzzing with plans and ideas, and their schemes and proposals have given me a whole new outlook on life.
The most satisfying part has definitely been being part of the RAFT family – we form a close team. Part of our unwritten rules are to meet up at lunchtimes – sometimes we use this time for personal chats, and sometimes it forms a space where we can talk about successes or problems in our work and discuss solutions outside of formal meetings. It’s a formula that works extremely well, and contributes to the feeling of value that all RAFT employees seem to have.
Wow, it’s the end of an era, but it’s time for me to gain more experience elsewhere in the charity sector.
I wish Raft every success in the future, it will be a hard act to follow!
Mary Pearmain
