CREDIT MANAGEMENT JULY and August 2022

YOUNG MONEY
AUTHOR – Sam Wilson
KNOWLEDGE is something that
as human beings we crave, and
often those with said knowledge
are the most highly soughtafter
individuals in their fields.
However, knowledge also has
the power to boost confidence levels, enabling us
to feel more secure within our careers and more
assured in the decisions we make.
For Lisa Dutton, her experience of completing
her apprenticeship with the CICM not only
solidified her expertise for those around her but
also allowed her to feel more confident in her
ability to make her career more enjoyable.
“After completing my studies, I definitely feel
more confident,” she says. “My current job was
given to me on the basis that I become qualified,
and there were always questions as to whether I
could do the job as I was much younger than the
previous manager. Now I have the confidence in
myself and my abilities, as does the team around
me.”
LOVE OF MATHS
Lisa’s route to credit management was similar to
many in the industry; she ‘fell’ into it. However,
unlike many, finance was always a route she had
in the back of her mind due to her love of maths.
“I think it’s almost a ‘conventional’ route
nowadays. It’s the same for a lot of my friends
in this industry. You never really sat at school
thinking I want to be a credit manager, as we
didn’t know what that was. But I did love maths
at school, and whilst I didn’t think I’d pursue it as
a career, my love for the subject is probably what
guided me here!”
In fact, a chance job opportunity from the
unlikeliest of places, her neighbour, helped Lisa
cement her future as a credit controller.
“I’d left school after ending my A-level studies
early, and whilst working in ASDA’s bakery
full time, my neighbour asked me if I’d like to
interview for a job that had recently come up at
her company. It was in accounting, so all of a
sudden that love of maths took me to my first job
in finance.”
WORLD OF FINANCE
That first role gave Lisa the exposure to the world
of finance she needed to pursue a career in credit.
With it being half-credit control and half accounts
payable, Lisa experienced multiple areas of
finance at once, enabling her to choose credit.
“I liked bits of both roles, but it was credit I
enjoyed more. The interactive nature, dealing
with the money, cash and invoices and speaking
to people whilst building relationships was a great
deal of fun. The most fun for me anyway!”
Lisa was driven to study alongside her career,
rather than going back to school: “I didn’t really
enjoy school,” she explains. “Often teachers were
dictating things to you rather than you learning
and discovering why things work the way they do.
This makes learning easier, more enjoyable, and
more rewarding; it also allows you to dictate your
own path and career, whilst being confident in
the advice you’re giving knowing you’ve had the
knowledge and have applied it yourself.”
The opportunity to start her apprenticeship
came through her employer at a time when her
previous manager left the business, meaning Lisa
stepped in to fill the breach.
“I was in the acting role for around two years
before I officially got the job, and part of the
requirements was a formal qualification. Up until
that point, I’d been putting it off, but finally, this
gave me the kick-start I needed.”
The choice of an apprenticeship didn’t come
naturally however, as Lisa explains, she thought
she was too far into her career to start one: “My
husband makes furniture for a living, and he did
his apprenticeship when he was 18 years old, so
for a while, I was a bit conflicted as to whether it
was the right route. However, after realising that
the course allowed me to complete all my modules
in one programme online, it was a no-brainer.”
“My current job was given to me on the basis that I
become qualified, and there were always questions
as to whether I could do the job as I was much
younger than the previous manager. Now I have the
confidence in myself and my abilities, as does the
team around me.”
CHALLENGING MODULES
Of the modules, Lisa admits that some came easier
and some were more challenging. “The legal side
of the course was difficult, it’s something I’ve not
touched upon before, but it really opened my eyes
to the importance of it within the industry. Credit
management on the other hand was much more
enjoyable as it was more of an expansion of my
current skill set and that, whilst being fun, helped
me reconcile the reasoning for many of the things
we do day to day.
“Accounting principles, was a real eye-opener,”
she continues. “In fact, my knowledge around
the sector now helps us enact change within
the business. I’ve been mentoring one of the
people in our team who’s looking to progress into
management accounts, so now I’m able to provide
him with more insight and help him move his
career forward.”
So, what tips does Lisa have for future
apprentices?
“Learning gives you the chance to boost
your knowledge and career potential but more
importantly your self-belief. If you ever get the
chance to qualify or train, do it. As daunting as
it may seem, you might surprise yourself (like I
did!).”
Lisa Dutton is a Credit Manager
at Whistl UK Ltd
Brave | Curious | Resilient / www.cicm.com / July & August 2022 / PAGE 53