A conversation with an Assistant Manager

 

20 April 2021

 

Sabbir Hussain, an assistant manager in our London office, shared his experience of his role and time at Saltgate – including misconceptions and the best part of working with us.

 

What’s your role and what are your responsibilities within Saltgate?

I’m an assistant manager in London office. I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of one of our important clients. I work with team of accountants and ensure timely delivery of client’s reporting requirements.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wants your role?

It’s helpful to be organised and committed to your role.

 

What’s the best part of your role?

The best part would be working on varied client requests. This gives me and my team exposure to different tasks for the fund managers.

 

What’s the biggest misconception about your job?

It’s a funny one – whenever I tell someone I’m an accountant, they think I’m tax adviser or personal adviser. People ask me about their tax rate – ‘how can I save some tax?’ I joke back: ‘when you have a headache, do you go to heart surgeon?’

 

Why did you go for the role you are in?

I enjoy providing client service, and I was looking for a role where I could use my fund services experience, so when this role came along, I took it!

 

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you at work?

I would say the general office environment – there’s always something happening.

 

What trait in a person do you most admire/dislike?

I admire someone who is honest, committed, has good attention to detail and who listens well. I dislike a lack of commitment.

 

What do you do for fun?

I don’t get much free time. I spend my weekends and free time reading and being with my daughter.

 

Who’s your favourite author?

I’m reading quite a few books at the moment, one being “Atomic Habits” by James Clear – I’m really enjoying it.

 

What’s your hidden talent?

I used to play cricket. Now I’m exploring Asian cooking.

 

What’s the funniest joke you know by heart?

There was an accountant who was having a hard time sleeping, so he went to the doctor who asked: ‘Have you tried the counting sheep technique?’

The accountant replied: ‘That’s the problem! Every time I make a mistake, I spend three hours trying to find it!’

 

What makes someone succeed at Saltgate?

Hard work and commitment.

 

What’s your favourite part of Saltgate culture?

Saltgate has people culture – it looks after its employees. It’s my favourite culture I’ve come across and something I admire.