Today we are excited to introduce you to our Finance Specialist, Isaac Szijjarto. In this interview, you'll discover insights into his professional journey and get a peek into his life outside of work!
What is your role at the company, and what are your key responsibilities?
I am a “finance specialist” – my central responsibilities include cash management, payroll processing, financial reporting, and liaising with banks, CRA, and other related parties to solve administrative questions.
How long have you been working in your current position, and what led you to this role?
I was hired into in my current position in November 2021. I was led into this role after working as a freelancer within the corporate financial world for three years.
Can you describe a typical day in your job?
A typical day can include reviewing recent bank transactions, forecasting upcoming payments and purchases, and submitting remittances to the government.
What projects or accomplishments are you most proud of in your career?
I am proud of completing my undergraduate degree after seven years of study between 2015 and 2022. I am also proud of a prior effort where I contributed to an intercompany reconciliation project that involved 15 related companies and 5 years of catch-up work around 2019. While I was challenged by the sheer volume of transactions and details involved in that particular client’s business empire, it was very satisfying to outperform the other contractors and freelancers that I collaborated with.
How do you collaborate with other team members to achieve your goals?
In my current role, there is a lot of interplay with data that is processed or gathered to facilitate my own efforts such as with forecasting material expenditures or processing payroll. As a result, I find that consistency, communication, and clarity within those relationships are key to success within those workflows to achieve accuracy and reliability.
What are some recent developments or innovations in your field that you find exciting?
In recent years, I have been excited by some of the subtle changes that Intuit has introduced within the QuickBooks Online platform. Between the new reporting interfaces, the updates to the transaction search function, and other similar UI tweaks, I have found the platform’s “quality of life” to be much better than what I interacted with at the beginning of my financial career.
What’s your number 1 tech tip (that you personally use) to our audience?
A simple time-saver is the use of hotkeys in platforms such as QuickBooks Online or the third-party app integrations that you may use in your tech stack.
Thank you for sharing these insightful details about your professional journey. Now, let’s shift gears and explore your life outside of work.
What's your favourite way to unwind after a long day at work?
I like to practice foreign language lessons on Duolingo, complete the daily chess puzzle through the Chess.com app, and read books with my fiancé.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of work that you're passionate about?
Outside of my academic interests in history and international relations that stem from my undergraduate program, my primary hobby is chess. After learning to play chess and participating in Vancouver’s chess club scene as a kid, I continue to play online chess on a regular basis. I find it to be relaxing yet stimulating.
Are there any books, movies, or TV shows you've been enjoying lately?
One of my favorite TV shows is “The Good Doctor” whose main character is an autistic surgeon who performs heroic feats in the operating room while navigating discrimination, communication challenges, and complex social dynamics.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I had to pick one travel destination, I would pick England. With the amount of history that London represents, I would like to visit Westminster Abbey and the House of Parliament. I would also like to take in a classical concert at the legendary Royal Albert Hall.
What's your favourite type of cuisine or restaurant, and what dish can you never resist ordering?
I have developed a significant affection for Indian cuisine. One of my favorite dishes is shahi paneer on top of rice.
Can you share a fun or interesting fact about yourself that most people at the company don't know?
I am scared to death of bees and most insects.
Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them!
Not presently – however, I have gravitated towards cats throughout my life.
What's your go-to music playlist or artist for getting pumped up before a busy day?
I will leverage Hans Zimmer’s soundtracks from various high-profile films such as Gladiator or Da Vinci’s Code. Otherwise, I will use trailer music from Two Steps From Hell to get me excited.
Are there any charitable causes or organizations that you're passionate about and support?
I support Autism Speaks. I think it is important to help maximize the individual’s strengths regardless of how niche or specific they are rather than magnifying a person’s challenges or differences. Consequently, I am excited to see the improvements in specialized education and care that have manifested over the long term. I think that Autism Speaks and other similar groups have impacted this trend while promoting awareness about autism and neurodiversity.
What's your favorite quote or piece of advice that you live by?
One of my favorite quotes is from Maximus in the early section of Gladiator when he says that what we do in life echoes in eternity. It reminds me that life is fragile and finite.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it?
My preferred superpower would be the ability to increase my reading and verbal processing speed tenfold. Since this would make research more efficient, it would expedite several lines of academic inquiry and the study of chess theory.
Lastly, what do you enjoy most about being a part of the company's team?
Since our company’s culture has made it cool to be geeky, and in finding the financial realm to be impactful and meaningful, I have enjoyed making the company my professional home.
We hope that you enjoyed getting to know Isaac through this interview. Thank you for all your hard work!