From Chaos to Coordination: Sam's Journey as a Business Coordinator Ma

We caught up with Sam, a Business Coordinator Manager in the National Business Support Stream at BDO. With a decade of experience under her belt, Sam has seen the evolution of her role and the firm. In this Q&A, Sam shares insights into her journey, the intricacies of her role, and how she balances her professional and personal life.

Hey Sam, so tell us – what do you do in a typical day?

Well, I’m coming up to my 10th year at BDO, so the easier question is what do we not do! As a Business Coordinator, my role was set up to be the Audit Manager's right-hand person; we handle the non-technical admin functions of an audit. This role was created to free up managers from admin tasks so they could focus on training trainees, their own development, and the audited entities. We get involved from A-Z, ensuring audit quality and delivering what BDO promises.
For me, it's chaos at its finest. Whatever work plan I have in place for the day, the outcome is usually different. I've integrated into many areas and am generally one of the "go-to" people in my team for anything non-technical. As a manager, I'm responsible for my team's output, wellbeing, and career development. I also manage a portfolio of around 70 complex and larger audited entities in the Southeast Region, ensuring quality in everything we do.

Wow, quite a lot then! How do you support the audit process without being professionally qualified?

We build relationships with the audit team and clients, attend audit meetings, and have a working knowledge of the client and the current audit. For example, when drafting a strategy report, we can include relevant risks and new regulations because we know the client and the audit team. This saves time and costs, improving recoverability and allowing for better fee negotiations.
Since the pandemic, the role has been used differently in different places based on business needs. Recently, we've been brought together under the National Business Support Stream to provide a clear pathway for development and ensure consistency across offices.

So how do you describe your job to someone who doesn't know anything about it?

I often say I'm part of the "make it happen" team. My daughters, both in their 20s, still don't fully understand what I do. They just know I'm always on calls and helping people fix things. Essentially, I coordinate various tasks and ensure everything runs smoothly, from managing timelines to troubleshooting issues.
Do you remember what a typical secretarial/administrator's job used to look like when you were younger? Well, it's the complete opposite of that and then some! We help to make things happen so that audit teams can focus on the technical aspects of the audit. There are multiple elements from admin to project management/coordination.

What did you do before joining BDO?

I worked as a Grants Team Leader for an Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, managing budgets for over 20 local authorities across the South East. My role involved giving advice on energy efficiency, coordinating home visits, processing grant applications, and managing installations with our network of installers.

So quite a change to an accounting firm then! Why did you decide to choose BDO?

I had never heard of BDO before being approached to apply for the role. Despite the 50-mile round trip commute, I was intrigued after researching the company and decided to attend the interview. The people I met were very welcoming, and it was definitely the people that made (and still make!) me stay.
I definitely had some preconceptions about working in an accounting firm. I just assumed it was a middle-class, male population, that it's just about numbers and being really good at maths and that accountants are boring and have no life. I’m really pleased to say none of them are true!

You said you’ve been here nearly 10 years; how have you seen your role develop in that time?

I started as a Coordinator, bringing in project management skills from my previous job. Over the years, I've built my role by learning about audits and taking on additional responsibilities. I applied for a senior coordinator position after three years and got promoted. I’ve always been hungry for development so had a conversation with my partner, which led to my promotion to manager.
The variety and complexity of the work keep me engaged. I enjoy putting my hand up for new projects and helping managers with tasks outside my day-to-day role. Mentoring new team members and seeing them develop is also rewarding. The constant changes and challenges in audit ensure there's never a dull moment.

In your whole time here then, you must have found out some facts about BDO that no-one else knows?

The obvious one is our name: no one ever remembers it. BDO stands for Binder Dijker Otte; the names of our founders.

You’ve done a lot here already, so how do you unwind outside work?

I love baking for family and friends and organising family quiz nights. I’m very family-oriented and spend a lot of time with my parents, siblings, nieces and nephew. I love to travel and will often book a short city break with my partner and/or daughters. Occasionally, I enjoy getting dressed up and going out with friends to celebrate birthdays and other occasions. I clearly like being very busy!

Sam's journey at BDO is a testament to her dedication, adaptability, and passion for her work. From managing complex audits to mentoring new team members, she has continuously evolved her role and made significant contributions to the firm. Outside of work, her love for baking and family gatherings keeps her grounded and balanced. Sam's story is an inspiring example of how embracing challenges and seeking development opportunities can lead to a fulfilling and impactful career.