Staff stories
Karen Green – Principal accountant
Karen’s career path started on the YTS scheme in which she completed a business studies course which included RSA Typing whilst working at a local business. Once completed she then worked as an office junior then a junior legal secretary at a local solicitors’ office.
Karen started at Test Valley in the finance service admin team to cover maternity leave. The role involved providing all admin to the Finance Service, so her qualifications suited the position. Karen was very fortuitous in that when the maternity cover was coming to an end an opportunity came up for a permanent position and she was successful in obtaining the position.
Karen has continued to work in the Finance Service and has now been working for TVBC for 35 years. During her time, she obtained further administration qualifications and when an opportunity arose for a secondment within the service to the accounting team, she put herself forward and from there studied for the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT qualification) and then became a service accountant. Two years ago, she was successful in becoming the Principal Accountant and now manages the team of five service accountants.
Karen enjoys working at TVBC as she has been very supported in her development over the years, not just academically but also in understanding how Local Government works and more recently in developing managerial skills.