Lara Astafyeva is the Financial Specialist at Clausematch. We recently sat down with Lara to learn about her role at Clausematch.
What is your role at Clausematch and what does it entail?
I am a Financial Specialist at Clausematch. Basically, my role can be divided into three key areas:
Clausematch Stand-alone Level
- I coordinate the work involved with our outsourced accounting departments and tax consultants in the UK and US and perform some accounting functions.
Clausematch Group Level:
- I prepare the Consolidated Financial Statements on a monthly and yearly basis and present the findings to management and defense before external auditors. There are also several projects on the agenda related to improving the integration between accounting software products and the automation of certain processes.
- I prepare ad hoc reports for Management and assist with the calculation of certain SaaS metrics.
Since our organization is in an active growth stage, almost all positions are not strictly limited, so I am responsible for tasks and projects at the intersection of cross-functions.
What were you doing before joining the Clausematch team?
I graduated from the Moscow State Humanitarian Institute of Economics with an Associate Degree in the field of Accounting, Analysis and Auditing. I gained extensive practical experience having worked in one of the Big 4 firms with a wide variety of projects representing various industries including Precious Metals Mining, Beverage, Building Materials, Hospitality, Agricultural Sector, Oilfield Services etc. In my previous role, I worked on major projects for multinational companies constituting the FTSE 100. My experience working for global companies has instilled core leadership values in me such as integrity, authenticity, aptitude to make a difference and bring value.
Why did you decide to join Clausematch?
First, I believe that SaaS solutions are the future. Secondly, I was interested in the compliance industry as a former auditor. In general, I was drawn to the passion employees showed to their work and their dedication to help others in the organization.
What has been one of your most memorable moments at Clausematch?
I joined the company relatively recently, six months ago. Some moments that stand out to me so far include:
- Town Hall and Weekly Meetings - They allow all employees to stay up to date with the latest news and events of the company and express any thoughts and wishes to top management directly.
- Gratitude Awards - They encourage employees to express gratitude to colleagues and really encourage them to give their best at work even more.
- Corporate Events (even in remote settings) - They help us get to know our colleagues outside of the workplace and allows us not to lose those social ties.
What advice would you give to a future Clausematch employee?
I’ll keep it simple. Be proactive! Your career is really in your hands!
What are your hobbies outside of work?
On long winter evenings, I watch old Hollywood movies, listen to jazz, cross-stitch, and cook dinners with some master classes from YouTube. Another hobby of mine is volunteering. I adore horses and recently volunteered at the Horse Assisted Therapy Services in Monroe, LA.
