Asking the right questions, involving the right people, and analyzing the details carefully can turn complexity into innovation.
About me
I’m Emma Tuomala, a Banking Technology Consultant at Accenture. I help financial institutions solve complex challenges and design solutions that transform how banking works. My role allows me to combine strategic thinking with technology – the space where I feel most energized.
Outside of work, I enjoy running, sailing, and volunteering. My background in competitive short-distance running has also shaped how I approach my career: I set long-term goals, but rely on consistent, everyday actions to reach them. It’s the same discipline I used in training – small, focused steps that build something meaningful over time.
Learning to Bridge Business and Technology
I hold a Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration, majoring in Strategic Business Development.
During my bachelor’s studies, I worked at a financial services IT organization where I saw both back-end operations and strategic change programmes in action. That experience made me realize how much I enjoyed being the bridge between business and technology. Consulting felt like the perfect path, so I focused my studies on strategy while also taking technical courses like coding and technology-driven business innovation.
Emma Tuomala, Banking Technology Consultant, Accenture
Lessons from Early Challenges
One of the biggest challenges early in my career was navigating highly complex systems filled with dependencies and many stakeholder perspectives. It was overwhelming at first, but I learned to break problems into smaller parts, ask questions early, and verify assumptions before moving forward. Visual tools, like process charts and structured tables, helped bring clarity in moments that felt messy.
Most importantly, I discovered that asking even “simple” questions is a strength, not a weakness. Curiosity and collaboration have been essential in growing my confidence and effectiveness.
My Role at Accenture
In my current role at Accenture, I analyze banking processes and systems, gather and refine requirements, collaborate with stakeholders, and design solutions that support banking transformation.
The best part of my work is being able to speak the languages of both business and technology. Seeing a strategic idea evolve into a real solution, one that improves the way people work, is incredibly rewarding.
The most challenging part is that the systems are intricate, and the cross-team dependencies can make decision-making complex. But that’s also what makes the work interesting. Asking the right questions, involving the right people, and analyzing the details carefully can turn complexity into innovation.
Skills That Matter
The ability to learn quickly has been my most valuable skill. I’ve strengthened it by documenting what I learn and using visual methods to structure information. Generative AI has also become part of my learning process. It helps me summarize materials and create early versions of process charts so I can focus on deeper understanding. AI doesn’t replace thinking; it accelerates it.
Life at Accenture
Accenture has a culture of openness and collaboration. I value the strong mentorship, supportive women’s networks, and the genuine willingness people show to help each other grow. Continuous learning is core to our culture, whether through certifications, leadership programmes, or AI-powered tools. What stands out the most is our commitment to building authentic relationships and achieving meaningful results for our clients.
Connecting Strategy, Technology and People
I stay in tech because the connection between strategy and technology gives my work purpose. Large transformations show how closely business goals and tech solutions are intertwined. But these challenges also need diverse perspectives. I’m proud to work in an environment that values inclusion and encourages women to lead, influence, and thrive.
Career Advice
I’ve been fortunate to work with managers and professors who encouraged my development. One of the most valuable lessons they taught me is to consistently ask for feedback — even brief, written notes. Over time, this practice has helped me build self-awareness and grow more intentionally. Feedback is one of the simplest and most powerful tools for career development.
My advice to anyone thinking about entering the tech field is not to underestimate the value of your existing skills and experiences. You don’t need a traditional technical background to build a meaningful career in tech. Many skills developed in other roles or studies — such as understanding business processes, communicating with different stakeholders, and structured problem-solving — are extremely valuable when working with technology.
Tech roles are often about connecting people, systems, and ideas, and that’s where diverse backgrounds really make a difference. If you’re curious about technology and open to continuous learning, I would strongly encourage you to take the step. The tech field is broad, constantly evolving, and full of opportunities for people with different perspectives and interests.
