Role model
Kickboxer, cheerleader and part-time model Lisa Crawford is also an AAT student and mother of two. By Evie Serventi
Lisa Crawford appears to have a fetish for even numbers. The 28-year-old Accounts and Administration Manager has AAT Levels 1 and 2 under her belt, has two job titles; works for two companies, and has two children. Not to mention her two hobbies: modelling and kick-boxing. And her latest venture? Cheerleading, for the local rugby league team.
In September 2007, Lisa sat back in the soft seat of a limousine on her way to Bolton boxing arena, pondering over the past few years of her life. Her adrenaline was pumping; she was about to parade in front of hundreds of spectators and meet renowned boxers Amir Khan and Ricky Hatton. A few weeks earlier, Lisa had won the national News of the World modelling competition, which saw thousands of contestants compete from all corners of England. Her good looks and positive attitude won her tickets to the IBF World Light-Heavyweight boxing showdown and a one-off performance as Amir Khan’s ring card girl!
Boxing clever
Five years ago, Lisa may well have been a bundle of nerves pulling up at a stadium in a limousine, instead of the confident, ambitious woman she is today. This exemplifies how studying for the AAT’s accounting or payroll qualifications is not only rewarding professionally, it contributes to immense personal growth.
Reflecting on her journey, Lisa says: “Studying for the AAT part-time while working and raising a family has given me so much confidence, both at the office and personally. I have learned to communicate better and to become more organised and efficient with my time. I look at myself five years ago when I was a basic part-timer, compared to now, and I see how far I’ve come and what I’ve achieved [thus far].”
In the past few years, Lisa has sailed through an intensive Sage Line accounting course, studied via distance education, and passed her AAT Intermediate exams with flying colours (while eight months pregnant), not to mention raising a family and taking on several extra-curricula activities.
Born and raised in Barrow-on-Furness in Cumbria, after finishing high school Lisa went on to complete an NVQ in Business Administration: levels 2 and 3. Never one to stand still, she went on to achieve an NVQ in Retail, Information Technology and Customer Service. In 1997, Lisa sought greener pastures and moved to Manchester with friends. She worked in the pharmaceutical industry until her daughter Libby (now eight) was born. In 2003, Lisa decided that home is where her heart is and she returned to Barrow.
The proactive approach
Life has dealt Lisa her fair share of blows, but her optimism and determination have carried her from strength to strength. “Accounting was something I fell into when I moved back to Barrow to be closer to my family. I was 21 years old, a single parent, and was adjusting to life after going through a pretty bumpy break up,” Lisa concedes. “I walked into the local job centre and by chance, saw a free six-week Sage Line 50 course on offer. I did the course and passed the exam quite easily. When I got a job in administration in January 2004, I convinced my employer to use Sage for the accounts,” she says. Proactively, she took over the accounts department and hasn’t looked back. Lisa could taste ambition and it wasn’t long before she was ready to sink her teeth into the next challenge to boost her career.
AAT qualifications: a win-win situation
Whaen family member Laura Cartwright suggested studying for the AAT qualification, Lisa’s ears pricked up. Laura, who is the sister of Lisa’s partner Barry, is AAT qualified and currently completing the CIMA qualification. For Lisa, she is living proof that studying for the AAT provides the knowledge and practical skills that she needs to pursue her desire to gain a chartered qualification. Lisa realised it would be challenging, but if she was prepared to work hard and study hard, she was confident she could achieve her goals. Her employer agreed to fund her studies, which Lisa describes as a win-win situation for both the employer and the employee: “The theory and practical skills are invaluable; my skill levels have developed, due to the relevant content of the AAT courses. This very practical knowledge really helps with my overall job performance.”
When Lisa joined Top Solutions (UK) and Premier Risk Consultants Ltd in August 2007 as an Accounts and Administration Manager her employers were happy to continue funding her studies. “I work under one roof, for two separate companies, with two separate directors,” she explains. “My employers are fantastic. They are really flexible and tremendously supportive of my AAT studies and also my family life.”
Lisa works 30 hours a week, to tight deadlines. Her job entails posting management accounts, invoicing, banking, monthly reporting, switchboard control and payroll. She says that the most challenging part of studying for the AAT qualification while working, is keeping her organizational and time management skills sharp, in order to manage the accounts of the two separate companies; meeting regular and strict deadlines, as well as being a working parent. However, she wouldn’t have it any other way and recommends that other students get ‘buy-in’ from employers, for support and job satisfaction.
Top Solutions Managing Director Andrew Rae concurs and is very proud of Lisa’s achievements: “The AAT offers lateral good balance to both the employer and the employee. I’ve seen Lisa’s confidence grow along with her ability to handle and achieve more tasks,” he said. “Both parties get immense benefit: the employee develops practical skills and can handle more tasks and the employer gets to delegate more tasks with confidence.”
Learn to be organised
Lisa appears to juggle her time between work, study, family and multiple leisure interests effortlessly, so what’s her secret?
“I’ve learnt how to be very organised! Also, my partner Barry, a self-employed fitter and carpenter, is fully supportive.
“I wouldn’t be able to do my AAT studies, work, modelling, cheerleading, and be a mum, without my family: they are fantastic and I’m very lucky,” says Lisa.
And one mustn’t forget Lisa’s little helper, her daughter Libby, who she describes as “a godsend” when it comes to looking after two-year-old brother, Billy: “Libby is great with nappies!
“I don’t really stop to think about how I fit everything into a day; it all just falls into place. I try to study in the evening after the children go to bed, aiming to do two or three hours a night, and I study at the weekends.”
Did someone mention cheerleading? “Oh, I’ve only joined recently,” she says. “I’m part of the cheerleading squad for the Barrow rugby league team and attend dance practice every Wednesday night; my first match was on the 16 March.”
Her dance routine includes gymnastics, the splits and a back-flip or two.
Is there anything this high-flying AAT student member can’t do? She replies: “Well actually, it’s funny you say that. Last year we actually went flying and jumped out of a plane: my friends and I went skydiving together and it was amazing!” she laughs.
Lisa says that because she is studying via distance education, the AAT website is an invaluable and user-friendly support tool. She plans to finish AAT Technician level by 2009.
“I really rely on the AAT monthly magazine, Accounting Technician. I find the study zone particularly helpful and use the technical articles as a benchmark for testing my knowledge. It keeps my skills up to date.
Even though she has not reached full membership yet, Lisa emphasises the importance of CPD: “I believe one can always improve and CPD is a vital tool for progression, self-development and a sense of achievement.”
An inspirational role model
Lisa’s good-humoured personality is infectious. She laughs as she recalls how people (particularly in the modelling industry) react when they ask her what she does for a living and she tells them she is an accountant: “They burst out laughing and are generally shocked, they think I’m joking!”
The dynamic AAT student works like a Trojan horse, but still has time to socialise with friends and spend quality time with her family. She fits in about ten hours of study each week, attends dance practice and even participates in the odd modelling competition - last year, she did a full photo shoot for the magazine Nuts, and also made it to the semifinals of the Miss Great Britain competition. However, when asked what she considers to be her greatest achievement so far, the dedicated mum doesn’t hesitate: “I would definitely have to say my children.”
And what an inspirational mother this AAT student is. Once she completes her AAT qualification, Lisa aims to head down the CIMA path and become a fully qualified accountant. She has even toyed with the idea of setting up her own business. To sum up her future neatly, she says with a smile: “The sky’s the limit.”
Accounting Technician - April 2008 - Page 18-20
