Employee Spotlight: Clara Contente
At Monsoon Consulting, our people are at the heart of everything we do. In this month’s Employee Spotlight, we’re excited to introduce Clara Contente, our Accounts and Office Administrator, whose expertise and dedication help keep our financial operations running smoothly.
Meet Clara
Originally from Caldas da Rainha, a picturesque city just a few kilometres from the seaside, Clara has always had a passion for numbers and financial management. Her journey into accounting started early, and through years of experience, she has honed her skills in financial operations and bookkeeping.
Clara joined Monsoon Consulting as part of the expansion of our Portugal office and has since played a key role in ensuring our financial processes remain efficient and well-structured.
Clara's Day-to-day
As an Accounts Administrator, Clara’s role is vital in keeping Monsoon’s financial health in check. She oversees client payments, maintains financial records, and ensures smooth bookkeeping. Whether she’s tracking invoices, following up on outstanding balances, or supporting financial operations, her work is essential in keeping things running behind the scenes.
What She Loves About Monsoon
For Clara, the best part of working at Monsoon Consulting is the people. She enjoys collaborating with talented colleagues like Victor and Olesia, appreciating the camaraderie and expertise that each team member brings to the table.
In the video below, you can hear from Clara herself about the collaborative and supportive company culture we have at Monsoon.
Life Beyond Work
Outside of work, Clara makes the most of her time by heading to the seaside, taking long walks, reading, and listening to music. She also enjoys weekday strolls with her dogs and experimenting in the kitchen, crafting what she describes as “state-of-the-art dishes.”
A Recipe from Clara: Shrimp Vol-au-Vent
Clara recently prepared a delicious Shrimp Vol-au-Vent and shared her recipe with us:
Ingredients:
- Shrimp
- Red onion
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt and Pepper
- Béchamel made from scratch
- Puff pastry
Steps:
- Sauté the shrimp: Sauté onions and garlic until tender, then add the shrimp, seasoning with salt and pepper at the end.
- Prepare the béchamel sauce: Melt butter in a pan, add flour, and mix well. Gradually add milk, stirring continuously until creamy.
- Bake the pastry: Cut puff pastry into 5×5 cm squares and bake in a preheated oven until golden.
- Assemble: Add the shrimp sauté and béchamel sauce to the pastry, and voilà—ready to serve!
Three Interesting Facts About Clara
- She has a keen interest in Environmental Economics and enjoys conducting data analysis in this field.
- She’s passionate about cooking and takes pride in preparing gourmet meals.
- She loves sports and has a particular fascination with motorcycles.
Words to Live By
Clara finds inspiration in the words of Sun Tzu: “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.“ It’s a fitting mantra for someone who navigates financial complexities with precision and determination.
Clara’s role may be behind the scenes, but her contributions are felt across the entire organisation. We’re grateful to have her as part of the Monsoon team!
