What attracted you to accountancy?

I never thought I would become an accountant! I have always liked numbers but what I love even more is interacting with people. Surely, audit and accountancy couldn’t be the career for me? How wrong I could be! It turns out my job as an auditor and advisor to not-for-profit organisations is less about the numbers and much more about the people. And when you share the same values with the organisations you work with, the job is so much easier, and the satisfaction is second to none.

What do you enjoy about the charity sector?

It gives me great joy to support charities with their challenges. They have the answers, but often not the resources to deliver solutions. Working as part of their team or putting them in contact with another charity that has experienced the same challenge is a small contribution to their cause – it is also what gives me most pleasure. I know I cannot solve every problem, but I can certainly try!

Tell us something people may not know

I have recently stepped down as the treasurer of Womankind Worldwide having been in post for 7 years and this has challenged me in many ways. Whoever said being a trustee was easy? Not so. I take my hat off to all trustees who give their time voluntarily and take huge amounts of responsibility for their chosen charity.

What do you get up to outside of work?

I recently re-discovered my passion for cooking, particularly baking and I am putting it to good use to raise money for charity. My last challenge was helping my daughter bake 150 cupcakes for her school to raise funds for Comic Relief.

To recharge my batteries I go back home, to the North of Spain. Nothing is more energising that spending time with my family, trekking the ‘Picos de Europa’ and exploring remote villages. And best of all no emails!