When projects run seamlessly, it is often because teams behind the scenes embed success every step of the way, long before the work was complete.
For Karen Leggett, that behind-the-scenes diligence has shaped a 26-year career dedicated to safeguarding the financial integrity of major projects.
Karen is a project accountant in our industrials and resources east business unit. “I really love working at UGL,” she says, a sentiment reflected in the scale and responsibility of the work she supports.
At the heart of Karen’s role is partnership. She works closely with project managers, supporting accurate cost analysis, reporting and billing. “It’s about financial integrity,” she explains.
No two days are the same. One moment she may be reviewing detailed cost data or managing month-end processes, the next preparing reports that inform critical decisions. Several times each year, Karen travels to site for planned outages, typically among the largest and most complex projects. These periods, when facilities are temporarily shut down for major maintenance or upgrades, are intense, but they provide invaluable insight into how work is delivered on the ground.
Rather than pointing to a single standout project, Karen is most proud of the rigour she applies to every claim. Many projects operate on a schedule of rates, requiring careful interrogation of large volumes of data. “On a major project, there may be 500 people on site,” she says. “I review the data by individual and by work area before anything goes to the client.”
Although she jokes that her role can sound boring, Karen understands its importance. Her work underpins successful project delivery, strong client relationships and sustainable outcomes for the business.
Outside of work, balance matters. Karen enjoys walking, playing sport at weekends and travelling in a small campervan when time allows. These moments away, particularly after long outage periods, help her reset and stay focused.
For Karen, success is not about visibility. It is about consistency, integrity and making sure the numbers tell the true story every time.