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financial controller, Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, UK

Perhaps the most memorable part of Rita's career to date was the initial months at Wolverhampton Wanderers when she performed a dual role of football club secretary and financial controller. 'The football club secretary had resigned overnight,' she recalls, 'and I was asked to hold the reins until a replacement was found. I was suddenly thrown into the hectic dealings of a successful Division One football club in the height of a busy season and was involved in the signings of five player transfers – two of whom were international signings. This provided me with a great insight into the world of football and what is a fascinating industry.'

Other career highlights have included being an elected member of ACCA's Council and being nominated in the top three for the Accountancy Age National Awards of Excellence. This was in the category for an individual who has made a valuable contribution in their industry and has demonstrated commercial flair as well as possessing entrepreneurial qualities. Rita was also chosen to represent the accounting profession in promoting accountancy as an ideal career path as part of a government initiative aimed at school leavers, which was broadcast on Channel 4.

And as for Rita's personal ambitions, she says: 'I plan to expand my role to incorporate not just the financial angle but to be involved in strategic, operational and commercial decision making. Having a grasp of figures gives you an excellent foundation to be able to do this. I would also consider developing a specialism in a particular field and be involved in offering consultancy services.

'Responsibility in accounting means total accountability, transparency and ownership. Recent developments, for example the new money laundering laws, are an indication of the increasing responsibility expected of finance professionals.'