Meet our Team – Barbora Halmová

This week, we’re getting to know Barbora Halmová, our Finance Officer.

Hi, Barbora! What does a typical day look like for you? What kinds of issues do you deal with in your job?

I would say there is no typical day for me. Together with (Finance Manager) Carmen Cristea, we manage the funds of our company and plan the expenditures. I start each day by checking my inbox to see what’s pending. Every week we do payments and communicate with our accountant. Every month I deal with the timesheets and project financial management. Every 3 months we prepare the budget review and make sure that all our records are accurate. On a yearly basis I am responsible for the preparation of the annual audit.

And then, of course, other deadlines come up, like the project financial reports.

Where has BBMRI-ERIC taken you?

I don’t travel that often in my position but I went to Lübeck for Europe Biobank Week last year and attended an EMMRI workshop in Milan on financial management. We also have our governance meetings in Vienna, which is an easy train ride from Graz.

What is the most interesting aspect of your job?

Since we are a relatively small organization, I have an overview of the entire financial situation. That also means that I can make a difference if I have ideas for new approaches or ways to plan the financial operations.
What’s also interesting is that as we grow as an organization, there is always something new for me to learn.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

The most challenging for me is the continuous improvement of our financial processes to make them as efficient as possible. There are always things we can improve!

It can also be challenging to keep up with changes and new rules in our funding programmes. I spend a lot of time going through the Annotated Grant Agreements.

What do you love the most about working at BBMRI-ERIC?

For me it’s the positive atmosphere, the international team, and the work culture based on trust.

I also like that I can support my colleagues who bring together the European biobanking community. We make a difference!

Another thing is that, if you show an interest in something, we are really open-minded to let our staff explore other areas they are interested in. I like that we are not boxed in to narrowly defined positions here.

What kind of work did you do before joining?

Before I joined BBMRI, I worked for KPMG as an audit assistant. I was part of an audit team auditing companies all over the Czech Republic.

We’re glad you made the move to Austria. Thanks, Barbora! 

Learn more about working for BBMRI-ERIC here. And look for the next interview soon!