Today’s interview marks the beginning of our new series of team conversations, where we’ll introduce you to the people behind our clients’ success. While we don’t often talk about it, every operational achievement is backed by the dedicated, meticulous work of our team.
We’re excited to introduce you to Alena Vasileva, a talented accountant, analyst and perfectionist who turns precision and structure into an art form.
In this interview, Alena shares her journey from a telecommunications engineer to an expert in accounting, her professional highlights and insightful advice for entrepreneurs looking to improve their financial processes. Discover how her technical skills and passion for analysis help her deliver outstanding results.
Anna: Alena, tell us a little about yourself. How did you get into accounting?
Alena: My name is Alena Vasileva. I currently live in Warsaw, and I came into accounting from analytics. My first degree was in television and telecommunications engineering. At some point, I grew tired of working in my field and realized that I really enjoy analyzing data.
So I became an analyst, working with big data, manipulating it in Python and Excel, and applying various models. Once I was analyzing expenses for a company where costs had risen to $8,000 per month. Through detailed analysis, I managed to reduce them to $2,000, and that’s when I realized how important it is to understand accounting. Then I combined my technical skills with accounting expertise and today I’m a technical accountant.
Anna: Sounds amazing! So what do you do daily at PTC for our clients?
Alena: I handle accounting, help clients issue and pay invoices (if their bank allows it), and provide consultations on documents when hiring employees. I also create primary documents or help adapt existing ones. My main focus is transaction categorization and reconciliation, assistance with invoices, daily support in chat. I don’t deal with taxes; my work is mostly related to accounting and management tasks.
Anna: What skills do you think are key for an accountant?
Alena: Being structured and having strong attention to detail are essential. This is especially true in American accounting, where systems like QuickBooks offer flexibility in creating reports. Here accounting isn’t just about taxes—it’s also about business management. Unlike Russian accounting, which is strict and rigid, the American approach allows you to adapt categories to a company’s needs. This is incredibly convenient for analysis and management.
Anna: How reasonable is it to handle accounting independently? Some CEOs or business owners avoid professional services and only turn to experts for filing reports and taxes.
Alena: If a company has an in-house accountant experienced with the American market and its nuances, it shouldn’t be an issue. But if decision-makers in the company are managing transactions and categorizing expenses themselves, it can lead to unpleasant consequences. I wouldn’t recommend doing accounting independently, even for small businesses.
Anna: Since we’re on the topic of mistakes, what are the top ones entrepreneurs make in accounting?
Alena: First, attempting to handle accounting independently. Minor mistakes, like misclassifying expense categories, may not be critical, but other errors can lead to incorrect reports and penalties. Second, lack of regular monitoring. It’s important to review transactions and reconcile bank accounts monthly. This helps prevent issues from piling up. Third, underestimating the value of a professional approach. It’s better to entrust your accounting to experts who understand the nuances and can avoid costly mistakes.
Anna: That’s a takeaway for all entrepreneurs reading us. And what inspires you in your work every day? Accounting can seem pretty monotonous, no?
Alena: I’m a perfectionist. I love organizing transactions, ensuring categories are logically structured. When I open a P&L report, it should be so well-done that I’m pleased with it. I enjoy analyzing income and expense dynamics, identifying connections and causes of changes. The analytical side of the job is my favorite, but even categorizing transactions is satisfying—it’s like creating order, seeing results and immediately feeling good about the progress.
Anna: Indeed, a perfectionist! And what do you like to do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies that help you relax and recharge after these complex, responsible tasks?
Alena: Yes, I’ve been passionate about running for a long time. I’m a marathoner and ultramarathoner. The longest distance I’ve run is 65 kilometers with an elevation gain of 2,300 meters. For me, running is a way to cope with stress, switch off and find balance. Even after a busy workday, I put on my running shoes and run 10–12 kilometers. It helps me clear my head, let go of built-up emotions, and feel better. I highly recommend everyone to give it a try.
Anna: So inspiring you are! Can you share an interesting or challenging client’s case?
Alena: Oh, one of the most challenging cases we had was with a client who only had scanned bank statements. We had to carefully input the data into QuickBooks to prepare reports for the tax authorities. It wasn’t easy, but we found a way—though the details are our little secret.
Anna: No need to reveal all your secrets! Now, a quickfire round — if you weren’t an accountant, what would you be?
Alena: I’d be a data analyst. In fact, I still work as one in some capacity since I constantly optimize processes and apply analytical approaches to my accounting work.
Anna: If accounting were a movie, which one would it be?
Alena: Mm, Sherlock. Accounting is all about searching and matching, using deductive reasoning and conducting real investigations into income and expenses.
Anna: One piece of advice for an entrepreneur?
Alena: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The only person who doesn’t make mistakes is someone who doesn’t try. It’s better to take risks, learn and grow. And, of course, leave your accounting and tax reporting to our professional team!
Anna: Such great words. Thank you so much, Alena, for sharing your story, insights and advice. It’s clear that your dedication and expertise are invaluable to both our team and our clients.
If you’re an entrepreneur looking to streamline your accounting, avoid common mistakes or simply get expert guidance tailored to your business, we’re here to help. Reach out to us for a free consultation and take the first step toward making your business operations smoother and more efficient.
