Employee stories: Accounts Payable to Business Consultant & Project Manager

I graduated from university with a Master's degree in Finance and Accounting. I then came to Columbus as an Accounts Payable (AP) Assistant, where I held this position for 5 years. This is where I gained experience within Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) and Medius as an end user.

The transition was made easier for me due to my expertise with these systems and an opportunity to move from an internal, transactional role to a more dynamic, client-facing position. While I was confident with my product knowledge, the biggest learning curve for me was adapting to being a consultant, which required new skills in client interaction and project delivery.

Medius is an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) solution for Dynamics D365, primarily covering the AP side of ERP systems, including invoice workflows and procurement modules. As a consultant, I work closely with customers to tailor solutions to their needs, often participating in pre-sales demos and then leading projects from requirements gathering to implementation and support. Each customer and project is unique, requiring flexibility and problem-solving skills.

The Enterprise Information Management (EIM) team at Columbus are supportive and collaborative. We hold weekly online meetings and annual in-person gatherings, which is great to be able to connect with everyone, especially as we are a global team.

When I started as a Consultant, I was given a mentor within the team, who helped guide me with any challenges that I faced, especially as I was new to the position. As I have grown, I have now become a mentor to other new employees, which has been great for my career growth.

What I love about my role is that I get to wear many different hats, including project management, support, pre-sales and customer service, making the role very diverse.

There is plenty of scope to grow your career in this position, with a clear pathway if you wish to progress further.