Position Statement
Why do I want to be a Director of the CIC Board? It is a great question which deserves an answer.
As a Financial Controller, much of my time is focused on protecting assets by minimizing risk, improving stewardship and assuring compliance. I complete this goal by managing administrative goals with good oversight of an ERP system. Once I know that business transactions are administered and recorded correctly, business and financial records can be analyzed and reported on. These skills – minimizing risk, good stewardship and compliance are easy to understand but difficult to do well. Having these skills are always in great demand within an NFP, like the CIC. This practical experience will be of value to our National Board.
Credit management completes my skillset. I view Credit Management as the cement that binds my financial understanding. Mitigating credit risk has crept into many critical facets of my day-to-day business life. At its core, credit management is a legal tool. I use Credit Management skills to assess supplier reliability, to understand credit applications, to negotiate equipment leases, to structure factoring agreements, to navigate bankruptcies, to set corporate policy, to collect overdue invoices and cash management. This unique and broader understanding of credit management is useful to gain acceptance from other financial professionals. As a member of the CIC Board, I will seek every opportunity to build awareness and to promote the real scope of credit management.
I am passionate about Credit Management because it looks outside the finance function. In providing credit advice, I enjoy meeting with the sales team and the procurement department and customers. Being visible and available to serve others are qualities of a good credit manager. It is these same valuable skills which I will bring to our National Board.
As interest rates rise, the value of good credit management also rises. I am very keen to play a part in this renaissance of our profession.
Thank you for the opportunity to express these feelings.