Knowledge beyond the books: Interviews from my internship

Over summer break, I had the opportunity to do an internship at company XYZ (not the real name for privacy reasons), a Romanian company that specializes in turnkey structured cabling and telecommunications systems. It was a great experience that gave me a real look at how economics works beyond textbooks. While I was there, I sat down with two people at the heart of the company: the Director of Accounting and the Administrator, and asked them a few questions about the business, the challenges they face, and what it really takes to keep a company running.

Here is what they said:

INTERVIEW with Director of Accounting:

1. How does the accounting department help the company run smoothly?

The accounting department is very important for the company to work well, both with money and organization. It carefully manages the company’s money and decides which bills to pay first, making sure that salaries and taxes are always paid on time, even if there are problems like frozen bank accounts. The department also contacts clients and ensures collecting payments from clients because if there is no money coming in, it can cause many problems. Accounting works closely with the finance team to keep a good balance between money coming in and going out, based on what money is available.

2. What are the most common problems in the company’s financial and accounting work?

One big problem is that it takes time to finish official reports. Until those are done, no big decisions can be made, so the team has to work with the money they already have. Also, the company can’t easily raise prices (clients will just go to other companies where that offers the service for cheaper) and doesn’t get help from the government, so they have to work hard to make good offers to clients. Some clients are slow or difficult with paying on time, which makes it harder to get the money.

3. How has accounting work changed in recent years?

Accounting has become more digital, which helps with some tasks, but there are still many technical problems. For example, government websites like the tax authority’s (ANAF in Romania) can go down at any time, which can cause delays. These can cause fines, even if the accountant is not responsible. Therefore, digital tools are helpful but still not perfect.

4. What qualities should someone have if they want to work in accounting?

Someone who wants to work in accounting should like working with numbers and be interested in this kind of work. Accounting is very exact and needs attention to detail, discipline, and good organization. It’s also important to know the rules and laws, which change a lot. Accountants sometimes need to understand legal matters too, like a lawyer. Their job is very important for keeping the company’s money healthy, and mistakes or delays can cause big problems.

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INTERVIEW with Administrator:

1. What motivated you to start company XYZ?

At the time, there was a good opportunity in the market. When XYZ was founded, this industry didn’t really exist in Romania. In the beginning, we were focused on IT, but later we realized we were a better fit for telecommunications. That’s the area we’ve grown in the most.

2. What are the biggest challenges in your company’s work?

Offering top quality services in a fast changing field. New tools and technologies are always coming out. So, we must always have the right equipment and the right people with the right skills to keep up with the current technology.

3. How does accounting and finance affect company decisions?

Without the money in advance, you can’t take on long-term projects. Since we offer services, not products, the accounting department is very important, it keeps the company financially healthy. It also helps us with tax savings and makes sure we always have money to pay what we owe. Moreover, it can help us find better deals both for us and the client. On the finance side, it shows that we have enough capital to deliver our services.

4. What qualities do you value most in an employee?

Being serious, professional, and flexible. Every project is different, so employees need to adapt and find the right solution. Loyalty to the team is also very important. When someone works with the team in mind, everything runs smoother, but if someone is too rigid, it can make things harder for everyone.

5. What are your future plans for the company?

We want to keep up with new technologies and stay at the top of the industry. We don’t want to be like all the other companies. The goal isn’t just about making more money; it’s about being seen as a specialist in things that most companies don’t do.

6. What advice would you give to a young person who wants to start a business in this field?

First, get real experience, especially on site. Don’t just sit at a desk. You need to be involved in the actual work. Try to take part in different projects to see where you fit best. Being an owner of a business is very difficult, especially in services. If a manager doesn’t understand the work well, it can create big problems. You need to be prepared technically and really know the business to avoid bad surprises.