In this episode of Controllers Classified, host Eric Zhou is joined by Katie Slattery, VP of Accounting and Corporate Controller at Fivetran. The conversation begins with Katie’s start in Ireland at KPMG Dublin as an auditor, and traces her path from auditor to accountant. Fun fact: Katie has been the first controller/accounting hire at several high growth companies!

The conversation then pivots to Katie’s current priorities at Fivetran and how she translates company-wide KPIs into team specific goals around reliable data and control efficiencies. Katie also spends some time talking about how to build a high-performing team, how to make sure an accounting team is structured to deliver on the needs of the business, and how to foster effective communication with teams and leaders outside of accounting.

Given Katie’s extensive background in high growth companies, the conversation pivots to the IPO landscape, and how teams should be thinking about IPO readiness amidst the uncertainty. Katie notes that you have to be able to balance day-to-day activities with activities that prepare for the future, because you don’t want accounting to be the blocker when a company is ready to go public.

Finally, the conversation ends with a discussion on the challenges and opportunities that come with being a global company. Katie spends time on Fivetran’s global operations and some of the decisions they have had to make as an accounting team as they navigate a complex tax landscape.

Key Quotes

“My career path started back in Ireland. I joined KPMG Dublin and that marked my entry into the wonderful world of accounting. I got exposed to a lot. Ireland has a lot of tech.”
“My job as a leader is to translate overarching company KPIs into ‘what it means for us’ as a team. We focus on reliable data, control efficiencies, and high-performance. And we give the business accurate revenue numbers that support growth goal setting.”
“You are only as strong as the team that supports you. I have been lucky enough to have been the first controller / accounting hire at companies multiple times now, and what I would advise for other people building teams is to set a plan and to hire skill sets that are needed based on where the company is at today”
“You know, that if a company is getting ready to IPO, accounting cannot be the blocker.”
“It is a true global company. And that presents challenges for our accounting org. Where do we set up shop? And how do we support teams across countries? Do we have enough people to qualify for permanent establishment?”

Time Stamps

(00:55) Katie’s journey to Fivetran
(17:20) Setting a high-performance standard at Fivetran
(20:30) Forecasting the IPO landscape
(32:22) Managing global accounting operations
(42:23) Shopping mall audits

Links

Episode 179 - Last Christmas