Kevin Lennon, Financial Operations Accountant, Mars

What is your name, job title and employer?

Kevin Lennon, and I’m the balance sheet accountant for Mars Ireland.

What are the main tasks you do in your job in a normal week?

As the balance sheet accountant, I look after such things as accounts payable, accounts receivable, intercompany and payroll. The good thing about my role is I have a lot of touching points with every single person within the organization and that combines two things that I love, accounting and interacting with people.

What skills do you need to be successful in your role?

So really fundamental to my role is attention to detail and also communication. Communication is very important because I deal with a lot of sensitive information so whether it's via payroll or via intercompany transactions. As you know Mars is an international business so we're dealing with associates from all around the globe.

What do you love about your job?

What I really love in Mars is the people. I work some of the most amazing people and the most energetic people and when you work in that environment it's really infectious. I think the team in Mars Ireland have really brought to Ireland some of the best loved brands, so to be part of that and working behind that, brings for some very interesting conversations activities and it’s really fun.

What did you do as a student that helps you most in your career?

In college I studied business and law, two topics which I was very interested in and I found them quite difficult, so I had to be really driven and really focused in order to achieve the grades that I needed.

What was your career break?

When I finished college I really didn't know what I wanted to do or where I wanted to be, and I chose Mars Ireland because I have previously dealt with them in a previous part-time role and I was aware of the company and its principles. When I got the opportunity to go for a role I threw my hat in the ring and just went for it. When you first attend an interview in Mars Ireland and definitely for a financial role, the people ahead of you and the people behind you all have the academic background but what sets you aside is your drive and your ambition.