Welcome to our series, ‘Meet the Team’, where we meet the people behind the businesses in the Channel Islands to find out what they’re doing and what makes them tick.
Stef Boschat, the Director of Accounting and Operations at Moore Stephens, is known for her expertise, dedication and human-centric approach. We’re thrilled to have the chance to get to know Stef through this insightful Q&A.
Tell us about your background and how you got into your current role?
After university, I started as a trainee auditor, learning accounting the old-school way, pulling together cash books from bank statements and chequebook stubs, while working through my ACCA exams.
I then joined RBC and worked my way up to manager and had the chance to work on a project with a team from Canada after RBC acquired Abacus in 2006. It was only meant to be a six-week secondment, but I ended up staying for over three months – it was that experience that taught me a lot about integration, and after the project wrapped up, I joined what would have been previously an Abacus team for about a year.
After I stepped into my first senior management role at EFG private bank in Jersey where I led a large team in Jersey and was also responsible for a separate accounting team based in Singapore. That role was a pivotal in my career as it took me to director level.
After 14 years, I joined Bracken Rothwell, where I obviously gave the impression to my boss that I was a strong, independent woman who wasn’t afraid of having the difficult conversations. A year and a half later, I became managing director – I’m passionate, organised, and driven, with a broad knowledge of the business world, I think he recognised that in me.
One of my goals there was to create better synergy between departments. We had brilliant people and by aligning teams, we opened new opportunities for them and looking back, I can see the impact of that work, and it’s something I’m proud of.
Now, at Moore Stephens, I lead the accounting and operations teams. The accounting side is familiar territory, but operations is new, but I love the variety and the challenge it brings.
What is a typical day in the office for you?
There’s no such thing as ‘typical’ in my role, which is one of the aspects I love most. I am still overseeing the accounting team at Moore Stephens, so that hasn’t changed, but the operational role is new to me. It brings a mix of HR, compliance, finance, and other areas, keeping things varied.
My role is still evolving as we navigate fully merging the businesses – it’s going to take time, but I’m excited for what’s ahead.
What are the most interesting parts of your work?
I’m looking forward to the integration process. The teams are still getting to know each other, so the challenge – and the opportunity – is in bringing everyone together to work as one.
I love being busy and working as part of a team. I want to be involved, understand any challenges and experience them alongside the team so I can help find the right solutions.
I love being busy and working as part of a team. I want to be involved, understand any challenges and experience them alongside the team so I can help find the right solutions.
What motivates you to get up and come to work every day?
For me without question it’s knowing that I’m doing a good job and being challenged. I work with an incredible team who share a commitment to excellence and knowing that our work contributes positively to our clients’.
What do the next few years in your business look like?
Ultimately, we want to grow the business. We have an office in Madeira that we’re already looking to expand and recruiting for a new manager as we’re confident this is going to be a significant side of the business.
Unsurprisingly my focus will be on the integration, I want to take the time to do it properly and get it right first time. It’s important I get the buy in from the team and involve them in how we adapt and make sure we’re all working together.
What is the best thing about working at Moore Stephens?
It’s lovely having a new environment and new colleagues, it’s going to be a great opportunity for our people to be part of a growing, global organisation. It’s the possibility for the future, the opportunities of being in a bigger company and getting our name out there now that we have joined Moore Stephens.
Tell us about your team?
I’m really lucky, I work with some very clever, technical people that I can learn a lot from – it’s a two-way relationship. We’re all supportive of one another and we all get on like a family, which makes a big difference.
Who inspires you and why?
I’d have to say my mum. After my dad sadly passed away at a very young age, my mum basically raised my sister and I on her own, which couldn’t have been easy, and she instilled in us both a strong work ethic. She worked at Jersey Hospice, so caring for others was a big part of who she was, and I think that’s where I get my emotional side from as well. She put up with a lot from us growing up, but she always led by example.
What advice would you give your younger self?
When I was younger and less experienced, the thought of a difficult conversation would consume me – I’d lose sleep over it. Now, I’m much more resilient and focus on handling it the right way.
My advice would be don’t sweat the small stuff and pick your battles.
What do you do with your free time?
I love travelling, I enjoy socialising and keeping active – hot spinning is a great way to switch off and reset.
What’s your favourite way to spend a weekend?
A perfect weekend for me is a mix of good food and drinks with friends, followed by a relaxed day with my husband and our dog – quality time with the people (and pup) I love.
Moore Stephens Channel Islands has offices in Guernsey and Jersey providing wealth structuring, corporate and fund administration, accounting, audit and assurance services. For more information, please contact the Jersey office by email or on 01534 880088, or the Guernsey office on 01481 811700 or via email.
