A1’s Chief Advisor Lyudmila Kurtova: Embracing Life’s Unpredictability
A1’s Chief Advisor Lyudmila Kurtova: Embracing Life’s Unpredictability
Lyudmila Kurtova, the chief advisor to the CEO of A1, is a shining example of how a woman can successfully balance a career and personal life, being both a dedicated mother and a true professional. In an exclusive interview, Lyudmila shares her journey and insights on achieving success in the complex world of telecommunications.
From Engineering to Accounting: A Journey of Persistence
Lyudmila has been with A1 for an impressive 22 years. However, her career began elsewhere. She spent 25 years at the design institute “Giprosvyaz,” where she started as an engineer and eventually became the head of the automation department. The economic changes during the restructuring period led her to seek new opportunities. She took on the role of chief accountant, despite having no prior experience in the field.
“I remember the director asking me, ‘How are you doing?’ I replied, ‘It’s tough.’ He asked if he should intervene. I said, ‘You can’t issue a decree to make people respect me. I need to earn that respect myself,'” Lyudmila recalls. She not only managed to handle the quarterly balance but also implemented the “Galaktika” system, automating processes and training employees.
Navigating Career Transitions
Lyudmila’s career path has seen several transitions. She moved from “Giprosvyaz” to a bank and eventually to A1. Each transition came with its challenges, but she faced them head-on. “When I joined A1, I went through five interviews. The director told me that one of them was unsuccessful—the interview with the chief accountant. I was applying for the deputy chief accountant position, so I wondered how I would work with someone who didn’t approve of me. The director assured me he would handle it, and on my first day, he fired the chief accountant and offered me the position,” she shares.
Mentoring the Next Generation
Lyudmila believes in the potential of young professionals. She advises them to be patient and open to learning. “Young people are impatient; they want everything to happen quickly. I don’t see a conflict with the younger generation. They consult with me, and I help them. Sometimes, I even do things for them because I have more experience and practical knowledge,” she says.
She encourages young professionals to approach problems with a fresh perspective. “When launching a new project, I ask people to forget what we did before and look at the problem from a new angle. Technologies and views change, and what was once correct may now be outdated and ineffective,” she explains.
Balancing Work and Personal Life
Balancing a demanding career and personal life is no easy feat. Lyudmila admits that her career often took precedence, but she made sure to be there for her son. “I spent almost ten years in school with my son, checking his homework until the eighth grade. My son is now in the military and has defended his thesis on radio communication,” she says proudly.
The Future of Accounting
With the rise of automation, many wonder about the future of accounting. Lyudmila believes that while the nature of the work is changing, the profession is far from obsolete. “We now accept invoices electronically, and we are working on making other documents electronic as well. However, the core of accounting remains the same—ensuring the correctness of documents and transactions,” she explains.
Life Lessons and Dreams
Reflecting on her life, Lyudmila shares some valuable lessons. “I’ve learned that if you make a mistake, you should focus on fixing it rather than arguing. This lesson has stayed with me throughout my life,” she says.
She also shares her unfulfilled dream of learning to dance. “I love dancing. I watch movies, listen to music, but I never seem to find the time for dance classes. Maybe it’s just an excuse. I’ve seen online courses that teach you to move your body freely, and I think I should sign up,” she muses.
Advice to the Younger Self
If she could give advice to her younger self, Lyudmila would say, “Don’t be afraid!” She recalls how her brother told her she would never become a chief accountant at her age. “I listened to all the advice and did it anyway,” she says with a smile.
For more insights and stories from successful women, visit Gorodw.
