MBA Admissions Essays

List one of your most significant professional or organizational accomplishments. Describe your precise role in this event and how it has helped to shape your management skills.

I started out initially as a technical support representative for a Stage Software Inc. in 2003 for a period of six months while presently I am associated with McKing Consulting Corporation. However for a period of two years I was associated with SunTrust Bank, where I started out as a Staff Accountant level one and in a year’s time was promoted to the next level this was based on outstanding job performance and proposal.

In addition during the initially stage I was one of the team members who was responsible for relocation and change of the accounting system of an acquired bank into SunTrust’s accounting system. (Listed as Significant Achievement in the Resume)

In the beginning of my last year with the bank, SunTrust finance organization experienced some specific changes in various departments. This was done to realign its objectives to achieve strategic vision of the Bank. Consequently, my department’s operations were altered the Controllers to Finance operations. Prior to the changes the monthly financial closing constituted s cross-functional departments, — my department was also a part of this financial closing. Following were some of the problems which existed in the past:

• For each financial closing a significant challenge was that most of the time some of the more important processes which were crucial for month end close were missed or delayed.
• Communication between team members was either limited or non-existent
• There was no system in place for a smooth flow of process.

Understanding the need to restructure the month end process, I rose to the challenge by taking the idea of synchronizing the month end close. As I was not very familiar with the different processes, my inexperience was one of the major impediments. I succeeded in coming up with a task plan to achieve the goals.

Initially I set up a meeting with the related teams and managers who were involved to get familiar with the different month end actions that needed to be processed. From the information received at the meeting I was able to draft a month end schedule, which detailed a list of responsibilities and prioritized the orders. This was presented for productive criticisms and reaction. It was accepted by the teams and the managers and after its implementation there was a remarkable improvement in the month end process.

This experience taught me the importance of working as a team and the importance of communication and coordination—a skill which is essential for business leaders and managers.  In addition the significance of organization and time management through prioritization to achieve objectives became very clear. This was my first experience as a leader as I initiated the change to create a more efficient set-up.

The opportunity gave me an insight into the organizational processes. Although at a very basic level however this initiative showed me as a leader and strengthen my professional growth however it was not enough as there is a need to further strengthen and polish the skills I have and MBA degree would he helpful in these respects. I am confident that my MBA experience will provide me with ample opportunities to demonstrate my leadership skills and also learn from future leaders.