A Week in the Life ... Chris Ellis

Chris Ellis is the new chief financial officer at beTRUSTed, the e-security business of Pricewaterhouse-Coopers. His key responsibility, directing financial policies and functions, keeps him at the forefront of new business development activity. But he is also an avid sportsman and makes time for rugby and gym workouts. beTRUSTed has been shortlised for the ‘e-business innovation’ category of the 2001 Accountancy Age Awards for Excellence.

MONDAY

Arrive in the office at 8.15. Spend the morning dealing with phone calls, emails and requests to spend more money on IT equipment (a good way to start the week!). Get dragged into a discussion regarding a new client and pricing. Need to leave at 6pm to take my wife and her 9-year old daughter to the golf range. Everyone is learning to play, looks as though I will be the worst of the bunch.

TUESDAY

Meeting in London to discuss a new product launch and the financial systems required to support it. Timeline is aggressive so get an interesting reaction from the supplier. Decide to place my trust in public transport and shoot back to the office to catch up with emails and calls. My PA reminds me that I have a presentation to do at the sales meeting the next day – it looks like I’ll be preparing at home this evening.

WEDNESDAY

Meet my PA at 8am to finalise my presentation. Deal with a few emails and then it’s off to address the sales force to describe my goals for the rest of the year. Mood is optimistic and feedback is generally positive.

Meet a key supplier for lunch and have a general chat about how our relationship is working and expectations for the next few months. Leave at 7pm to go to the gym for a general workout.

THURSDAY

Have scheduled an interview first thing followed by a general review of HR afterwards. Spend the rest of the day looking at pricing for an urgent bid due to the client today. General mood is frantic but optimistic.

The sales team is confident of winning the business. Conference call with the legal team to discuss the same deal.

FIRDAY

Review the month’s results and follow up some queries with departmental heads on their budgets and performances for the month. It’s Friday so the team nips out for a bite and a quick drink. The week ends much the way it started, tidying up emails, answering cal and of course another request to review or authorise something. Workout and golf planned at the weekend … FRIDAY Review the month’s results and follow up some queries with departmental heads on their budgets and performance for the month. It’s Friday so the team nips out for a bite and quick drink. The week ends much the way it started, tidying up emails, answering calls and of course another request to review or authorise something. Workout and golf planned at the weekend …