In the world of finance, career paths can be varied, challenging, and often unexpected. Samantha Tee, Finance Manager at Alumasc, shared her journey into finance, the challenges she has faced, and the lessons she has learned along the way. Her story provides valuable insight for aspiring finance professionals, particularly women looking to progress in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Finding a Passion for Finance

For Sam, a career in finance wasn’t always the plan. Though she had a natural aptitude for maths, she initially explored other subjects before realising accountancy was the right path for her. A conversation with her brother almost deterred her—he warned that accountancy was boring—but after trying different subjects at college, she decided to follow her instincts. She secured an AAT apprenticeship, working as a Purchase Ledger clerk in a factory, which proved to be a turning point, as she discovered her love for accounting and finance.

Overcoming Early Perceptions

Like many, Samantha had preconceived notions about finance, picturing a career filled with manual bookkeeping and repetitive tasks. However, she switched roles after 9 months and was exposed to a different environment working with professionals who had pursued different routes into finance, which, coupled with her college AAT studies, meant she very quickly learned of the various study routes available and how they differed. From early into her career, Sam was therefore aware of the various career routes available, from industry roles to practice, and from financial accounting to management accounting, each offering unique challenges and rewards. She realised finance was not just about numbers but also about strategy, problem-solving, and business impact. 

Career Progression and Challenges

Sam’s career has been a journey of continuous learning and strategic moves. From her early beginnings as a Purchase Ledger Clerk, advancing through various roles including Accounts Assistant, Cost Accountant, Management Accountant and Finance Business Partner. Each step in her career added a new dimension to her expertise, allowing her to develop a well-rounded understanding of finance, building up from the basics, to learning about how this factored into commercial business decision making.

However, this was a double edged sword and Sam found that one of the biggest barriers she faced was the difficulty of progressing within a single business. She noted that finance roles often have a bottleneck effect—if senior positions aren’t available, ambitious professionals must seek opportunities elsewhere. Moving companies frequently can be seen negatively as being ‘jumpy,’ but Samantha emphasised that job changes were necessary to gain the right exposure and experience for her to progress at the pace she desired, and if it wasn’t for these career moves, she would have had to have waited years for her superiors to leave or retire, and she wouldn’t be in the position she is now.

The Power of Mentorship and Support

Reflecting on her journey, Samantha highlighted the importance of mentorship. Early in her career, she found that her transactional roles often lacked structured mentorship, and cited that she felt like she was just “left to it” as a data entry clerk. As a result, she found she had to push for more responsibility on her own. That was until she saw the role advertised at M&J Seafoods, which she recalled speaking to the recruitment agent about, saying “I don’t care how long this process takes, I just know I want that job.” This role was pivotal for Sam; she got promoted within 6 months from Management Accountant to Finance Business Partner, and was exposed her to the wider world of Commercial Finance, business partnering, and taking ownership of her responsibilities in a way she previously hadn’t been enabled to.

She credited key mentors for giving her autonomy, pushing her to take on challenging projects, and ultimately helping her develop confidence in her abilities. Sam noted a contrast in mentorship styles of her female vs male managers —technical mentoring from experienced female colleagues helped with analytical skills, while she found her male managers helped to develop her sense of self, personal growth and confidence building. Having a support system, particularly leaders who trusted her decisions, made a significant difference in her career trajectory.

Measuring Success Beyond Qualifications

For many finance professionals, success is initially measured through qualifications—completing AAT, ACA, ACCA, or CIMA exams provides a clear pathway and obvious markers of achievement. However, as Samantha’s career progressed, her view of success evolved. She began to measure her achievements by the impact she had on businesses, such as delivering successful projects, implementing cost-saving initiatives, and driving financial strategy.

She stressed the importance of recognising small wins, receiving acknowledgment from leadership, and continually adding new achievements to her skillset. This mindset shift, from chasing titles to making tangible business contributions, is key for long-term career fulfilment. Sam shared how, at the time of her considering her current role at Alumasc, she was also offered another role in a packaging company with a Financial Controller title and straight line to Finance Director. Arguably this could have been seen as “better choice” in terms of her progression, but she knew that she would be exposed to, and contribute more to the business operations at Alumasc, which was the role she decided to accept. 

Advice for Aspiring Finance Professionals

Looking back, Samantha’s key advice to her younger self—and to others starting their careers in finance (or indeed any other sector)—is to be more selective about job opportunities. While career moves are sometimes necessary for growth, she emphasised the importance of choosing roles that align with long-term career goals, rather than jumping into a position simply to escape boredom or frustration. Every role should provide learning and development opportunities that contribute to overall career success. Having an awareness of “what else do I want to add to my CV, what will broaden my experience as a finance professional?” that helped Sam make that decision, and that’s a growth mindset she has carried with her throughout her career.

Catalyst for Career Success

When asked about who Sam would give kudos to as being a catalyst for success in her career, she made no hesitation in nominating Macildowie’s very own, Jamie Draper. As her biggest champion, and expert on what makes her tick, he has been fundamentally instrumental in the steps she’s taken through her career, and has worked with her for 3 of her most pivotal roles. Though not a flawless journey, Jamie has always told her straight, whilst remaining on her side, when faced with pushback. Sam noted that this challenge was welcomed as it levelled her and gave her perspective, and ultimately, he was more often than not, spot on. What a great testament to the impact that a good consultative recruiter can have as a collaborative partner through a person’s career.

A Surprising Alternative Career Choice

When asked what career she might have pursued if not finance, Samantha’s answer could be considered unexpected—engineering or mechanics in the automotive industry (if you got to know Sam well though, it would soon become obvious that this is a route she’d enjoy – she really does love her cars!) 

Final Thoughts

For aspiring finance professionals—especially women looking to break into the industry—her story serves as both inspiration and practical guidance. Finance is no longer just about crunching numbers; it’s about shaping businesses, making strategic decisions, and driving change. And with the right mindset, support, and opportunities, the possibilities are endless.

For me, Sam’s journey speaks volumes about owning your own style, finding the people and places that bring out the best in you, and leaning into your natural talents – this is ultimately where you will succeed the most, and get the most fulfilment from your career.