Meet Courtney Shield: A Journey of Determination, Growth & Success at Mintra

At Mintra, we take pride in supporting our people as they develop their skills and achieve their professional ambitions. Today, we celebrate Courtney Shield, our dedicated Assistant Accountant who is officially an exam-qualified Chartered Accountant through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) – a prestigious qualification equivalent to a master’s degree in accountancy. Courtney’s journey to this achievement is one of perseverance, resilience, and an undisputable passion for finance. We are all immensely proud of how far she has come.

Mintra has played an instrumental role in Courtney’s development. A chance meeting, whilst locked out of the office one day, led to a conversation with Ian Mackie, the then CFO, and a casual chat about Courtney’s goal to gain her Chartered Accounting qualifications. Ian Mackie undertook the challenge for Mintra to become an ICAS-authorised training office so that Courtney could begin her training whilst retaining her job at Mintra. Studying for ICAS is no small feat with intense 3-month intervals of activity, requiring a combination of classroom learning, self-study and rigorous examinations as well as securing 39 competencies to be signed off formally in the workplace.

Mintra has invested in Courtney every step of the way, providing full sponsorship for her ICAS qualification, exams and membership fee. With guidance from her mentor, UK Finance Manager Laura Green, and encouragement from Group Financial Controller Lindsey Hendry, Courtney was able to balance her studies with her professional responsibilities. Mintra’s commitment to investing in its people ensured that Courtney has had the time, resources, and encouragement needed to succeed. The journey to ICAS was challenging, but Courtney embraced it with enthusiasm. Over time, her role at Mintra has evolved significantly.

Starting as an Accounts Receivable Assistant, she soon developed a deep understanding and love of revenue processes, earning her the reputation of being Mintra’s ‘invoicing guru’. Her meticulous attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to identify discrepancies have made her an invaluable member of the finance team. Courtney thrives on digging into financial data, uncovering patterns, and identifying solutions that drive efficiency and improvement. Today, as Assistant Accountant, Courtney plays a pivotal role in Mintra’s revenue processes and operations.

Her responsibilities span managing essential balance sheet reconciliations, coordinating intercompany cost recharges, overseeing UK VAT returns and heading up credit control processes. She also takes pride in mentoring junior team members and liaising with the Sales team and customers to optimise invoicing and cash collection processes.

Working closely with Sales and customers has helped me strengthen internal and external Finance relations," she explains. "I enjoy solving queries and ensuring everything runs as smoothly as possible."

Her blend of determination, expertise, and approachable personality makes her an invaluable part of the Mintra team. 'The belief in my potential and the opportunities here have helped me grow immensely,' she shares. 'I have been supported every step of the way and entrusted with responsibility when I’m ready. My role has evolved in line with my confidence and my capacity."

Beyond her professional achievements, Courtney’s analytical mind extends into her personal interests. She has a passion for mysteries, whether it’s tackling complex financial reconciliations or escaping from locked rooms with her teammates.

Having conquered every escape room in Aberdeen and several in Dundee, her problem-solving skills are clearly just as sharp outside of work as they are in the office! "We’ve attempted around fourteen escape rooms so far, with only one failure—it’s a fun way to problem-solve with loved ones," Courtney laughs.

She also has a love for literature, recently rediscovering her joy for reading now that her exams are over, particularly enjoying thriller and mystery novels. When she’s not solving financial puzzles or literary mysteries, she enjoys long walks with Kenzo, her Husky-German Shepherd cross, who, much like Courtney, prefers an evening adventure over an early morning start.

Now, only a few months until becoming a fully qualified Chartered Accountant, Courtney is looking ahead to the future. While her ultimate ambition is to become a Chief Financial Officer, she is focused on continuing to expand her skills, taking on greater responsibilities and refining her expertise in revenue management, all whilst working towards buying her first home. With her remarkable dedication, sharp analytical mind, and the continued support of Mintra, there is no doubt that Courtney has a bright and exciting career ahead.

Courtney’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the value of workplace support, and the belief that setbacks can be stepping stones to success. At Mintra, we are incredibly proud to have been part of her journey and look forward to seeing all that she will accomplish in the years to come.

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