Are you looking for insight into working life at Maryhill Housing from those who know it best? Each month, we'll be sitting down for a coffee and a chat with a member of staff to find out a bit about them and their role. Puiling has been with the Association for almost three years, joining us back in December 2020 as a PATH Finance Trainee. She has recently moved into a new role as our Finance Administrator.
Tell us who you are and a bit about yourself.
Hi, my name is Puiling. I started as a PATH Scotland trainee in the Finance team here at Maryhill Housing before recently moving into the permanent position of Finance Administrator. I'll have been with the Association for three years in December.
What is PATH Scotland?
PATH stands for Positive Action Training in Housing. It is an organisation that helps people from ethnic minority backgrounds access a career in the Scottish housing sector.
Where did you work before coming to Maryhill Housing?
Before joining the Association, I worked for an accounting firm for five years. I was part-time for the first couple of years while working part-time for Marks & Spencer. The accounting firm wanted to take me on full-time, so I decided to leave my other job at M&S to concentrate on my role there.
Was your role with the accountancy firm similar to what you are doing now?
In my previous role, the focus was on doing the clients' books, running their payroll every month and submitting statements to Companies House. Here at Maryhill Housing, I work more on the purchase ledger, paying suppliers and posting for tenants' rents, so although it is another finance role, there are a lot of differences.
What was your first job?
It was working behind the counter and taking orders at my parents' takeaway when I was 16. I also worked at a restaurant when I was a student, and after graduating from university, I started working for the Council, where I would stay for ten years.
What's your favourite part of your role at Maryhill Housing?
It would probably be sorting out supplier queries and trying to get to the bottom of whatever the issue may be. I also like meeting and working with different teams across the Association - our colleagues are our main customers.
What is your favourite book, film and holiday destination?
I've done a lot of travelling to the Far East - Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and also quite a few places in Europe, but the next place on my holiday wishlist is Thailand. I also usually visit Hong Kong most years.
I have a lot of cookbooks in the house, so one of those would probably be my favourite. As far as TV programmes go, it would be something on Netflix or I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! My favourite film is Titanic, but I also enjoy horror movies.
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