If there’s a typical path to becoming an Insolvency Administrator, Lindsay Cairns didn’t follow it.

She waited to attend college as a mature student – after high school, marriage and a family – when she pursued an online Business certificate from Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Once her children were in school full-time, she found work as an Administrative Assistant with CPA Saskatchewan.

Looking for a role that focused on interacting with people as well as paperwork, she moved to health & safety administration for an electrical contractor.

When Lindsay spotted an opening for an Analyst in the Insolvency practice with MNP Ltd., a chartered professional accountancy and business advisory firm, she was intrigued. She didn’t know much about insolvency, or even how to go about filing for bankruptcy, but she knew she wanted to be challenged, and the administration side seemed a good fit. She was hired.

Between in-house training and working with her supervisor and peers, Lindsay learned on the job. “I jumped in head-first,” she says. “My advice to others doing this is be patient, because there are a lot of moving parts to learn and it takes time.”

Lindsay focused on growing her career through continuous education, professional development and learning the Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act inside and out. Now, as Senior Consultant, Insolvency, she works with individuals and organizations experiencing financial difficulties, guiding them through bankruptcies or consumer proposals.

“The work is challenging, because every file is so different, and everyone’s situation is so personal to them,” she explains. “You’re always figuring out the best way to deal with each unique situation and each set of creditors. And you’re gaining more knowledge and experience with everyone.”

Lindsay enjoys seeing her clients’ success. She finds it gratifying to see their transition from when they arrive, not knowing what to do, to finding some clarity and a plan to improve their situation, to getting a discharge from the bankruptcy or proposal.

“A lot of clients don’t understand the insolvency process, and we walk them through the process, showing there are things that can help them and that there is hope,” she says. “When they leave, they’re already a bit relieved. Just seeing the weight being lifted off their shoulders and that they can let go of so much of that stress is super rewarding.”

Lindsay recommends pursuing a role as a BIA Insolvency Counsellor as a great career to be in if you love a challenge, love to learn and love seeing success stories.

“There’s incredible growth opportunity within the insolvency industry, and every day is something new,” she says.