Introducing Behind the Lab Coat, a new series by the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute!
The series has two main aims: first, to help you to get to get to know the people who are doing amazing science at the Institute and, secondly, to introduce you to the breadth of “behind the scenes” roles required to make that discovery research happen.
Once such person is Kathryn Umande. Since she joined the Institute, Kat has progressed through a number of roles within the Finance & Grants Team and now works as Operations Finance Manager.
In Kat’s video below she explains more about her role at the Institute and shares her thoughts about some of the things that make Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute such a special place to work.
After you’ve watched Kat’s video, read on to discover more about how she built a successful career in finance, and how multi-tasking is crucial to juggle her work, hobbies and parenting responsibilities!
Kathryn Umande, Operations Finance Manager
You’ve progressed through a number of roles since arriving at the Institute, but what did your career look like before you joined us?
I studied Accounting and Finance at university, then got a job at the Babraham Institute, which is really similar to here.
I was a Purchase Ledger Assistant: writing cheques, processing invoices. All the simple tasks of a finance office. Then I progressed into doing all the fEC (Full Economic Costing) accounting, doing the costings and the journals on a monthly basis.
I then moved into grants. After that I moved into a supervisor role, where I supervised the accounts payable and accounts receivable teams, as well as doing all the fEC reporting.
During my time at Babraham I also completed my professional qualification in Accounting and became ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualified.
In 2016 I had my second baby, then two years later I came to the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute.
And please could you share a career highlight?
If we’re talking generally, I would say becoming FCCA qualified.
In terms of a work achievement at the Institute, that would be being offered the role of Operations Finance Manager and building a finance team who are happy and engaged in their roles.
If you’ve got some great news to share at work, perhaps one of the highlights you’ve just described, who are you most excited to tell?
My husband and my family.
And what is one characteristic of a great colleague?
Someone who is honest, trustworthy and dependable. Someone who can say to you, “That doesn’t look right, have you tried this?” and, equally, if you’re doing a good job they’ll say, “Wow, that’s amazing!”
Being able to be open and honest with your team and your colleagues is really important. It is nice to have someone who I can talk to about something and get their viewpoint; they might make a suggestion about how to deal with a situation that I haven’t yet thought of.
Could you tell us about a hobby you enjoy which has nothing to do with work?
It would be arts and crafts for me, definitely.
I have a “candy cart” that I do on the side and I help people with parties; I do all the decorations. I recently made a hoop decoration for my friend’s fortieth birthday, which I covered in ribbons. I like making things look pretty!
I also love interior design, I love properties, and especially looking for unique pieces of antique furniture!
Finally: what is your superpower?
Multi-tasking. I can do a million and one different things at once, and get them done. Normally!
Visit our Jobs and Studentships page to find out more about current vacancies at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute.