From Coding to Safeguarding Quality

FinTech is a high-stakes industry, one where every transaction matters and every data point is crucial — so ensuring software quality isn't just a job, it's a mission. And there’s few that understand this better than our Quality Assurance (QA) Manager, Sindhuja (Sindhu) Nanthakumar. With her keen eye for detail and natural attraction to all things FinTech, she is the quiet force driving some of our most crucial operations at Identitii. In this session of Identitii Talks, we’re chatting with Sindhu about her journey through the world of FinTech, the challenges along the way, and what makes her fin-tick.

So, Sindhu, why QA? What sparked your interest?

"It might sound a bit odd, but my QA journey actually started in software development," she chuckles. "As I was coding away, I realised I had a knack for spotting those pesky flaws and highlighting areas for improvement. It was a lightbulb moment – why not turn this into a career?"

And that's exactly what she did. Sindhu dove headfirst into the world of QA, not just to find bugs, but to prevent them altogether.

"It's not about fixing problems after they happen," she explains. "It's about building systems that catch them before they even see the light of day. That's when I fell in love with automation frameworks, making sure QA and software development work hand-in-hand."

Why Identitii? What drew you to this company?

"FinTech has always fascinated me, especially the whole security aspect," Sindhu says, her eyes lighting up, “and I really wanted to be a part of a company where I could learn and evolve, and Identitii stood out right from the very first interview.”

Elaborating on what captivated her at the interview Sindhu says, “the technical depth of the interview and approach was what really made it different and convinced me this was the right place to work. It lasted over an hour, which wasn’t the typical experience I’d had in other interviews. I was assessed on almost every aspect of QA, and the atmosphere was really friendly and supportive throughout the entire conversation. Each of my answers was appreciated, and even when faced with some tricky questions, I didn’t feel discouraged — instead, I felt an opportunity to grow and develop new skills. ”

What are your thoughts on working at Identitii now that you’ve had some time to sink in? Sindhu answers with a laugh, "in my time here I've become what I like to call a 'full-stack QA’. I started out in web automation but I’ve been given the opportunity to spread into security, network vulnerability, performance, and load testing. I’m constantly challenged and encouraged to sharpen my skills — every day is an opportunity to learn something new, and the business is full of like-minded people who are keen to help without the hassle of workplace politics.”

“Coming from an engineering background, I’ve never been part of commercial discussions in previous companies, but here, we’re involved across departments, and every voice is heard and valued — no matter your role or department, everyone’s opinion matters in the decision-making process, and I think that’s a very unique thing to find in a workplace.”

Trailing off with a bit of insight for anyone wondering whether Identitii is the right environment for them, she adds “if you're someone who thrives on pushing your own limits and embracing new challenges, rather than simply competing with others, Identitii will be the perfect fit for you. It's a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, and I wouldn't have it any other way.”

What does QA success look like at Identitii?

"For me, it's about weaving quality into every step of the product life cycle," Sindhu explains. "Whether it's automating tests for our regulatory reporting modules or building a test suite for our API integrations with Mastercard, I want to make sure we've covered every angle."

One of the milestones of her career at Identitii so far has been implementing performance testing and building out security checks that proactively sniff out any vulnerabilities.

"By making QA an integral part of development from the get-go," she says, "we're not just building products that work, but products that are secure and reliable."

Let's get into the realities of the job for a minute — it can’t be all smooth sailing all the time right? What are some of the biggest hurdles you face?

"FinTech moves at lightning speed," Sindhu admits. "Balancing that with the thoroughness needed for security and compliance testing is a constant challenge. And then there are those customer-specific requests that can throw a spanner in your automation plans."

Not one to back down from a challenge, she continues, "it's all about finding creative solutions. Sometimes it means delaying a release to make sure everything's perfect, other times it's about designing a modular testing approach that can handle curveballs."

Given the challenges of keeping up in a fast paced industry like FinTech, how do you stay ahead of the game?

"It's a mix of research and experimentation," Sindhu says. "I'm constantly reading blogs, participating in forums, and taking courses. Actually that’s another reason why I enjoy working here so much, everyone is encouraged to continue learning. And then there's the fun part – experimenting with new tools, like those AI-driven testing frameworks. The future of QA is exciting!"

Speaking of the future, what do you see on the horizon for QA in FinTech?

"AI and machine learning are definitely going to play a bigger role," she predicts. "Think predictive analytics and even smarter automated testing. But security and compliance will always be at the core of what we do."

At Identitii, we’re already gearing up for the future, enhancing our automation and exploring AI-driven tools.

Any advice for someone just starting out in QA, especially in FinTech?

"Embrace the challenges!" Sindhu exclaims. "FinTech is a wild ride, but it's full of opportunities to learn and grow. Stay curious, be proactive, and don't shy away from the security and compliance side of things. That's where a lot of the action is."

While QA is often seen as a behind-the-scenes role, it's crucial for ensuring customer satisfaction and maintaining our reputation in the FinTech world. From Sindhu’s experience, it's clear that there’s more to it than just testing; by delivering high-quality products with minimal bugs and security vulnerabilities, we're building trust with our customers and strengthening our position in the market. Our customers know that they can rely on us to provide reliable and secure solutions — and with people like Sindhu at the helm, the future of QA in FinTech looks bright indeed.

We continue our chat with Sindhu in our next session of Identitii Talks as she takes us through some of her experiences tackling operational challenges in the world of FinTech QA management, and some creative ways to get through them head-on. Don’t miss it!