You probably know the saying “If it’s meant to be, it will be”? Well, at least Swappie’s Financial Controller Van Nguyen knows that from her own experience, and her journey with Swappie is a perfect example of how it pays off to resiliently keep on pushing for your dreams. 

One could think that Van’s journey at Swappie began unexpectedly, as Swappie’s Recruiter messaged her in Linkedin to inquire her interest in joining Swappie’s finance team, and a week later she had an offer on the table.  But actually Van and Swappie go back a couple of years more. She had previously applied for a position in the finance team, but on that occasion the timing was not right. However, Van did not give up - on the contrary.  She continued honing her skills in international accounting and learning the financial system Swappie was using, and then, in June 2023 her updated skills were recognized from her Linkedin profile and the stars were aligned for Van to become a swappian.

"I was in love with the company's mission for years before," Van recalls, emphasizing the appeal of making refurbished technology accessible and the tangible environmental impact. "Knowing that buying a refurbished phone essentially makes the same positive impact for the environment as growing a tree, it resonated deeply with my personal values." The company's financial growth and culture, centered on striving for excellence and mutual support, further solidified her decision to join Swappie’s finance team as Senior Accounting Specialist.

Van quickly immersed herself in the rhythm of month-end closings, Tax and VAT reconciliations, and complex analytical work. A promotion to Financial Controller role a year later brought new challenges, as Van took a wider role in Tax reporting, but also payroll tracking and fixed asset capitalisation.  Her days are a blend of meticulous monthly tasks, quarterly tax reports, and demanding annual audits. "Year-end closing is challenging," she admits, "especially Swappie’s high volume of sales data and the complexities of inventory reconciliation keeps the whole finance team on its toes and makes the work interesting."

Van thrives on tackling intricate projects, from closing specific accounts to navigating business model changes. Her favorite projects often involve solving complex problems and implementing new solutions, like a reconciliation software project. Swappie's fast-paced environment, with weekly strategy updates and an emphasis on automation, keeps her engaged. She appreciates the company's commitment to internal communication, but also being in a front row seat in the finance team to witness Swappie’s continuous growth is highly inspiring.

Interestingly enough, Van’s path to a finance career was not the most conventional, starting with hotel management in her home country. Upon arriving in Finland, she pursued further education and learned Finnish skills, eventually finding her passion in finance, inspired by her mother and sisters, who all are Accountants.  She built a solid foundation working several years in accounting companies with hundreds of customers. But being in an inhouse finance team always intrigued her:  "I wanted to be a part of a team, and Swappie offered the perfect opportunity to focus on one company and make a long-term impact." And an impact Van indeed has made:  She considers her so far biggest achievement to be driving a cross-team development project, where she saw a huge time saving potential - She transformed a day-long manual reporting activity into a 30-minute process. This became a company-wide practice and showcased Van’s dedication to efficiency and her proactive approach to improvement.

Swappie's culture, anchored in Impact Orientation, Growth Mindset and Inclusion, aligns perfectly with Van's values. "Impact Orientation is my favorite," she states, "because I find meaning in seeing the tangible results of my work in the team, and it reaches all the way to the customer experience.  It makes everyday more engaging and rewarding!” 

"I also have a wonderful manager, and it makes me happy that Minna trusts me and values my contributions.”  Van describes her whole team as open, collaborative, supportive and filled with unique perspectives and skillsets. "Having this diversity makes problem solving both effective and interesting. I would say we're friends also outside of work" she adds, emphasizing the strong camaraderie.  Her fondest memory at Swappie is actually her first day, where she was introduced not only to her own team, but to each department at Swappie, and was warmly welcomed by everyone. "The high energy and friendly atmosphere were amazing! It immediately felt like home.” 

Looking ahead, Van is constantly thinking about how to develop her skills further. She aims to deepen her expertise in tax compliance and IFRS. She's also keen to master SQL one day, recognizing the importance of this technical skill for her role. "At the moment I am concentrating on my work and spending time with my family. I keep an eye on new projects and challenges at work, as this way I'm learning through my day-to-day.  Maybe later on, when my children are a bit older, I could study something, and at least find time to accompany my husband more often in his skiing and cycling hobby. Also sewing could be a handy skill to learn outside work!” 

Van’s story is one of continuous growth, impact, and a true sense of belonging.  But what is her secret in mastering all this?  “I am happy to share my working principles! First of all: Always aim to deliver more than asked. Second: Strive for excellence and best results. And last but no least:  Be a reliable team player - get your sleeves up for new tasks and deliver till the end. Trustworthiness is appreciated everywhere!"

Thank you Van for sharing your inspiring story, your always sunny personality and smile, and for giving us your tips for excelling at work!