The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Administrative Assistant / Office Manager
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Organisation, attention to detail, basic financial administration, stakeholder communication, managing multiple tasks.
You're ready to move on when
- You're the go-to person for ordering office supplies and managing vendor relationships.
- You've shown a knack for spotting discrepancies in invoices or purchase requests.
- You actively look for ways to make processes more efficient in your current role.
- 2
Finance Assistant / Accounts Payable Clerk
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Invoice processing, reconciliation, understanding payment terms, financial reporting basics, compliance with financial controls.
You're ready to move on when
- You consistently process invoices accurately and on time, with minimal errors.
- You understand the importance of three-way matching (PO, goods receipt, invoice).
- You've had to chase internal teams or suppliers for missing information.
- 3
Supply Chain / Logistics Coordinator
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Order tracking, inventory management, supplier communication, understanding lead times, problem-solving logistics issues.
You're ready to move on when
- You're great at tracking orders and ensuring timely deliveries.
- You've dealt with suppliers to resolve delivery discrepancies or quality issues.
- You understand how supply chain disruptions can impact a business.