Adventure in the mountains of South America and the steppe
of Mongolia is not traditionally associated with accountancy.
What made you decide to join a Raleigh International Expedition?
My primary reason was to utilise my professional skills
in a unique and challenging overseas environment, but one
that is slightly outside the normal accounting role.
Working for a youth development charity was an attraction,
but I also wanted to have lots of adventure and fun!
After an unusual assessment weekend, which was undertaken
in hiking boots, tents and mud, I chose to undertake the
Patagonian expedition, located in Southern Chile at the
start of 1999, one of the largest expeditions run by Raleigh.
What were you doing up to the point you left the UK?
After qualifying three years ago as a Chartered Accountant
I worked in the Thames Valley as a European Corporate Finance
Manager for the European HO of a semiconductor distributor.
Six months prior to the expedition I undertook a short term
contract as a Business Analyst for a construction plc.
The Chile expedition started in January of this year and
lasted for three months, after which time I travelled extensively
in South America. After receiving an offer to act
as accountant on another expedition, I flew out to Mongolia
at the start of June. This will finish at the end
of September.
Why does Raleigh International need an expedition accountant?
The expedition accountant on Raleigh is a volunteer
position, based for 12 weeks at Field Base in the expedition
country. The expedition involved 100 young volunteers
known as Venturers and up to 48 Staff. The primary
role of the accountant is to set up, monitor and control
the day-to-day expenditure and oversee the financial management
of the expedition. Financial records are maintained
on a small account's package and regular financial reports
submitted back to the UK Head Office.
How would you describe a typical day on the expedition?
A typical day begins with a Field Base team meeting
at 7.30. Field Base consists of approximately ten
staff, whose specialities help to ensure the smooth running
of the expedition. In Chile, the stunning views from
the 'office' helped make the early morning meetings bearable!
In Mongolia we live in traditional 'ger' (white felt tents)
with views of post communist Soviet-style high rise apartment
blocks and the extended ger suburbs on the outskirts of
Ulaanbaatar the capital city and the rolling Mongolian hills.
Although there is no such thing as a typical day on expedition,
most days are filled with maintaining the financial records,
ensuring sufficient funds were available for the logistics
team and project managers, monitoring cash flow levels and
maintaining budgetary control over expenditure. Fluctuating
currencies require constant monitoring and regular visits
to the local banks are necessary to obtain cash, bank traveller's
cheques and exchange currency. Daily email contact with
the UK Head Office accountants ensured that I have the necessary
advice and support required.
Some people may be concerned about their level of fitness;
did you have to undergo any special training?
Although primarily located at Field Base, I do get the
opportunity to visit the projects and work alongside the
Venturers. To get the most from these visits and to fully
appreciate the often stunning, wild locations you have to
be actively involved and get your hands dirty. High levels
of fitness aren't generally required for the expedition
accountants; that's the job of the mountain leaders!
During each three-month mission, you must have had some
amazing experiences. What was the most memorable incident
on each expedition?
Having the opportunity to spend time on the project
sites with a group of volunteers, experiencing what they
are experiencing and integrating into the rural Patagonian
community is an intensely rewarding experience.
The South American landscape is stunning, especially the
Laguna San Rafael, which is part of the Patagonian ice cap
that can only be reached by plane or boat. Being 'marooned'
on a small beach opposite the glacier to trap wild cats
for radio tracking, with the only entertainment being watching
the ice bergs floating past, was an experience that will
stick in my memory for a very long time, as will driving
the inflatable boats across the Laguna, through the icebergs.
The Mongolian expedition has only just begun, but I'm looking
forward to spending time on project sites in the Gobi desert,
and three weeks on horseback in the Northern Mongolian forests.
What do you think you are gaining from your experiences?
There is immense satisfaction on being part of a successful
expedition and knowing that the projects have made a contribution
to the country and people. Working together with a
team of up to 40 other highly qualified and professional
staff members from all walks of life is tremendous fun and
being part of the expedition can be a powerful and rewarding
experience, as can working in a remote area and gaining
insights into different cultures and customs.
What advice would you give someone who is interested
in becoming an expedition accountant?
There are a number of vital skills required, primarily
initiative, common sense, teamworking skills, stamina, flexibility,
unending patience and a sense of humour. These are
just as important as general bookkeeping ability and a good
working knowledge of Word and Excel. Experience in working
with foreign currencies would be valuable and a language
would be useful, but not essential (as my limited Spanish
and Mongolian proves). My advice would be to phone Raleigh,
discuss the role and then pick a country!
What are your plans now? Have you still got itchy
feet?
Halfway through my post expedition travels in the Amazonian
jungle, the opportunity to be the expedition accountant
in Mongolia arose. Well I couldn't say no, could I?
I flew out mid June 1999.
A normal '9-5' office job doesn't easily compare to expedition
life, but I'm looking forward to drawing on and utilising
my new experience when I return home to the UK in September.
 For
more information contact Raleigh International Press
Office at: Raleigh House, 27 Parsons Green Lane, London,
SW6 4HZ, Tel: 0207 371 8585, web-site: www.raleigh.org.ukor
e-mail: staff@raleigh.org.uk
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