From Bookkeeping Beginner to Project Accountant: Alunda’s Professional Journey
After meeting Alunda Young face to face at our 2025 London conference – and recognising her as one of our most active and engaged members – we sat down for a chat to hear more about how IFOL supports her finance career.
Alunda is a Project Accountant at an International humanitarian NGO., and her story is one of impressive growth, proactive learning, and a deep commitment to the accounts payable profession.
When Alunda first stepped into the world of finance operations, she wasn’t following a roadmap – just a spark of curiosity. A 10-week bookkeeping taster course at her local adult education college opened the door, and she didn’t look back. After completing two further intensive courses, she volunteered as a Treasurer to gain experience while looking for work. A few months later, she landed her first role as a finance officer at an international NGO. That moment was the start of something bigger.
Discovering the Value of Community in Accounts Payable
Fast forward a few years working in accounts payable, Alunda found herself stepping into management for the first time, leading a team of four finance officers. It was a proud but daunting moment. “I was looking for a supportive network of AP professionals to walk alongside me through this journey,” she says. That search led her to the Institute of Financial Operations and Leadership (IFOL) – and something just clicked.
“I wanted more than just training. I needed community, relevant content, and professional development that actually spoke to what I was doing day to day. IFOL is unique in what they offer and they meet all my needs.”
Why IFOL Was the Right Fit for Professional Growth
From the very beginning, IFOL’s masterclasses became a fixture in her calendar. “They were always insightful, relevant, and very engaging,” she recalls. But it wasn’t just about consuming content – it was about action.
Alunda brought what she learned back to her team. Over three years, they implemented more than 10 process improvements – all while maintaining daily responsibilities. She credits that momentum to the tools and best practices she gained through IFOL. “I was empowered. Full of confidence. And that rubbed off on my team, who also began improving their performance.”
Building Leadership Skills with IFOL
That hunger to learn has only grown. Alunda’s now completed an 18-month apprenticeship in team leadership and has her sights set on the Certified Finance Operations Manager (CFOM) programme.
“The last 12 months have been busy, but I’m excited to keep going. IFOL has been right there with me, every step of the way of my finance career.”
Learning That Sticks: The Impact of IFOL Events and Webinars
She’s made full use of the resources: newsletters, masterclasses, virtual events, and conferences. One particular favourite? The “Finance Business Partnering” webinar. “I’ve watched it several times and shared it with my team as part of our own take on focusing on ‘AP back to basics’. It’s one of those core learning pieces that just sticks with you.”
Embedding Continuous Improvement in Finance Operations
The 2025 London conference also made a big impact. Two sessions stood out: leading organisational change and engaging with AI. “The speaker shared a project change map that really stayed with me – it showed how transformation is rarely a straight line. I apply that mindset to everything now.”
Alunda’s journey with IFOL has helped reshape entire processes in her organisation. From overhauling manual income management systems to introducing electronic expense workflows, she’s seen firsthand how the right tools and learning can make all the difference. “Being audited now is so much easier – I can show them exactly what they need to see.”
Her weekly team meetings often include fraud awareness discussions, a practice she picked up through IFOL resources. “I’ve learned how fast things can escalate for AP teams, and how important it is to stay ahead of fraud.”
A Professional Home for Finance Leaders
And how does she describe IFOL to a fellow finance professional?
“With IFOL, you get all the professional support you need to excel in financial operations. They work on your core – your mindset, your skills, your confidence. They stay up to date with current trends and care about AP as much as you do.”
For Alunda, IFOL is more than an educational institution – it’s a professional home for her finance career. A place where she finds guidance, connection, and continuous development. It’s where she can pause, reflect, and refine her practice with the support of a community that genuinely understands the demands of finance operations.
“It gives me sanity,” she says, smiling. “Stepping out of the day-to-day to learn and develop is exactly what I need.”