To the Top with Courage and Curiosity – Mikko’s Journey from Trainee to Director

When I joined Staria as a trainee in 2012, I only knew the basics of accounting since my business administration studies focused on management and communications. When I decided to move from my then sales job into the field of accounting, I imagined I would be doing slow-paced routine work. I was pleasantly surprised, as the field turned out to be diverse and challenging. After intense brain work, the feeling you get when you fix or solve something is fantastic!

Different roles, learning, and growing

I joined Staria through recruitment training program held by Saranen and was given responsibility right from the start. I was part of a larger customer team, but I also got my own client. I immediately got to learn the secrets of consolidation with the support of my colleagues and manager.

In 2016, I moved into the role of Finance Business Partner, but it didn’t take long for a new opportunity to arise, and I switched to work as a client’s interim Controller.

As a Controller, I got to see firsthand what happens on the other side of the table. This experience has helped me to understand our clients’ everyday lives and the impact our services have on them.

- Mikko Ryömä, Director, Global Accounting Services & Solutions

After this came one of the most exciting moments of my career. Our Global Accounting Services needed a team leader who could develop the service’s financial processes, and I was asked to take on the role. I had no previous experience on team leading, but I took the challenge, managed it well, and learned a lot in the process. The experience was extremely significant for me. In addition to team leading, I also learned a lot about global processes and how things work in other countries. In 2020, I moved on to develop and implement our client onboarding model, which allowed me to look at processes from new perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of our system and software solutions.

From trainee to conductor of growth

Today, I work as the director of our Global Accounting and Payroll Services. My team is responsible for the daily operations and development of accounting and payroll services, while I focus on collaboration with other functions, development projects, and supporting sales. In times of change, I support my team and strive to bring clarity and efficiency to these situations. My role has expanded significantly, and I now have a broader view of the entire organization’s operations. In the future, I want to develop our current operating model and scale it as the organization grows. My ambition is also to manage larger entities.

I have worked at Staria in many different roles. There has always been something new going on, and both I and the company have changed and developed a lot. Staria has supported me since the very first days of my training program.

- Mikko Ryömä, Director, Global Accounting Services & Solutions

It is a pleasure to work with a skilled team, and our collaboration is inspiring. The fact that I can fully trust my team allows me to move things forward efficiently without excessive mental load.

Not knowing doesn’t mean not going

I have gained most of my expertise through work, but alongside my job I have completed a professional qualification in accounting and a specialist vocational qualification in management. In addition to education, my development has been supported by wonderful colleagues and managers who not only give help but also ask for it. Helping others boosts learning, as you have to explain things in your own words and think about them thoroughly.

For me, the best part of my work is trying out new ideas and seeing them in action. The most important skills in my career have been openness to new things and ability to trust that I will learn along the way. I don’t let lack of knowledge limit me. This brings new challenges and opportunities, which makes the work interesting and motivating.

At Staria, there is always something new to encounter, so if you dare to jump towards it — even if you don’t know much about the subject yet — you will gain wonderful growth opportunities.

- Mikko Ryömä, Director, Global Accounting Services & Solutions

There is a lot of expertise at Staria, and by relying on each other, we can get through anything. It’s important to remember that no one knows everything, and it’s always possible to learn new things.

Mikko’s Tips for Career Development

I would advise new employees to be open to new things and to boldly bring out their own skills and ideas. I’ll also share a few tips based on Staria’s values:

Collaboration: Cooperate to learn new skills and share your own expertise. I have had the opportunity to work with many people from whom I have gained knowledge on various topics, and to whom I have also been able to share my own knowledge. Through collaboration, you get a broader perspective on any topic.

Courage: Be open to new things, and you’ll quickly notice you’ve acquired new skills. Still, not everything always goes perfectly. If you fail, remember that others are there to support you. Trust yourself, you have the ability to learn many things. I myself have drifted from one role to another.

Commitment: Make short- and long-term plans for your career, but don’t stick to them too rigidly, as the world changes quickly. Set high-level goals as they help you head in the right direction while keeping your mind open to opportunities.