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In our NORMAPeople series, our employees from around the world report on their daily work, how they joined the company and what they appreciate about their work.
Ricarda Jäger from the Group Accounting department talks about her professional development at NORMA Group.
Ricarda, you have been working for NORMA Group for a few years. When did you start here and how did you get to your current position?
My career actually began when I started here – that was nearly 12 years ago. I trained to become an industrial clerk and then simply stayed in the NORMA family. NORMA Group has grown through several acquisitions over the last decades. I therefore had the opportunity to develop my skills in the company in the areas of finance and accounting. Thanks to this diverse experience, I was able to become the Accounting Manager and today, together with my colleagues, I am responsible for the accounting of NORMA Group SE and NORMA Group Holding GmbH. Topics such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, travel expenses and payroll accounting are relevant in our team.
That sounds complex, so your tasks are probably not monotonous?
Definitely not monotonous! Boredom is never an issue for us. Whenever someone hears that I work in the accounting department, I am looked at with huge eyes and further questions are avoided. This may be because many people think I spend the whole day calculating and doing monotonous tasks. But my job is the opposite. It is diverse and exciting because there is always something new to do.
NORMA Group consists of various sister companies and subsidiaries that come to us with new projects and own processes. For this purpose, we often carry out international transactions with our partners like various foreign currency transactions, for example. We therefore often have to familiarize ourselves with new topics and be in contact with different colleagues. We learn a lot in the process.
What are you currently working on?
We are currently very busy supporting the finance department on NORMA Group’s latest acquisition, Statek. At the moment, we are in the process of familiarizing ourselves with the new issues and identifying which resources are necessary for which purposes.
A job in accounting is not necessarily what you would imagine as a child. What was your career aspiration back then?
Children often want extraordinary things and I was no different. I always wanted to become a marine biologist. After taking a diving course, however, I realized that this was not for me. The second thing I thought about was archaeology, but after watching a few films about mummies and crawling bugs, I quickly abandoned this idea too.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
Traveling, traveling, traveling – I travel a lot, traveling is my passion. I’m always backpacking, sometimes I go on holiday with my mountain bike, combine my holiday with yoga or practice different sports like sandboarding.
I travel a lot because I love to learn new things about people, cultures and history. In fact, I have traveled to almost every continent and learned something different from every country and city. I really enjoy this and I am very happy that I find the time for it.
Are you satisfied with your work-life balance?
Definitely. Funnily enough, both worlds happened to meet at the same place and time. When you meet colleagues in other countries by chance, you realize how small the world really is!
Overall, I can say that professional and everyday life can be well separated but also combined nicely. I have great colleagues and a great boss with whom I enjoy doing after-work activities. I occasionally go climbing with the team, for example.
What is important for you to feel comfortable and motivated in your working life?
That is quite simple. Like your job, like your team and have an open-minded employer. I have nice colleagues who are always helpful. I can also do home office when needed and my contribution to the company is recognized.
There are people who don’t look forward to the next eight hours in the office every day after getting up – fortunately I don’t have that feeling.
So is that why you have been working for NORMA Group for 12 years?
Correct. Besides having nice colleagues and fair working conditions, the opportunity to further develop your skills and to help shape change was always there.
At last, what do you wish for yourself for the future?
Whatever the future looks like, I just want to have a fulfilling, healthy and happy life.
2 responses to ““The opportunity to evolve and help shape change was always there””
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Please also read our Privacy Policy.Gamze Sarisoy
I read it in a flash, it is very enjoyable article. I feel lucky to work with Ricarda and being part of NORMA family.
Greetings from Istanbul
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Marie Wöller NORMA Group
Thank you Gamze for this positive comment.
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