My work experience stretches over 16 years, including nine at Big Four firms and seven with corporate clients, mostly oil companies and financial institutions. After completing the ACCA Qualification, I joined PwC Islamabad in external audit. Then, after a spell with EY in the same city, I moved to Deloitte Kuwait, where I was assigned to lead audits of family-owned businesses, mutual funds and trading companies. I also took a keen interest in oil companies and financial institutions, two of the major sectors in the region, and led the external audits of two of the largest players, Kuwait National Petroleum Company and National Bank of Kuwait.
In choosing a career, I wanted a profession that dealt with financial matters and required honesty and integrity
After three years (and two kids), I crossed over to industry, joining a food and beverages company as head of internal audit, before moving back to EY, this time in Kuwait.
After I moved to Kuwait, irresistible opportunities kept appearing. Next I joined Abraaj Water, a manufacturing company involved in bottling potable water, as the CFO. I was then headhunted by an oil company.
After a brief stint there, I decided to change sector, so I moved into the financial services industry, joining my current employer CFC, which provides instalment credit to consumers and businesses. Due to my outstanding previous experience with Big Four firms and industry, my role at CFC is not limited to financial reporting but also includes risk analysis, along with overseeing the outsourced internal audit function. I enjoy the diversity of my work greatly.
My father was an inspiration to me. He was a notable banker in Kuwait, and took a keen interest in my career. In choosing a career, I wanted a profession that dealt with financial matters and required honesty and integrity. Accounting is such a profession. If I was not an accountant, though, I would have followed in my father’s footsteps and been a banker.
I enjoyed my time with all three of the Big Four firms. I worked not only in external audit, but also in forensic audit and advisory services. Moving to the corporate world was out of a desire to see things from the ‘other side of the table’ as a client.
While working for a trading company, I uncovered how the accounts department overstated profit. I realised how important it is to have a thorough knowledge of a business before you begin its audit. I blew the whistle and disclosed all my findings to the owners and auditors. The chairman assigned me as the CFO of the company and I embarked on a major restructuring.
In common with other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, diversifying sources of income is the most important challenge currently facing Kuwait, due to an excessive reliance on oil. A dearth of qualified professionals within the local population is also a headache for employers. If more Kuwaitis took up professional qualifications, we would not have this problem.
I enjoy analysing complex scenarios so it's just as well that I also enjoy multitasking. I prefer not to limit myself to simple accounting, which is why I chose to work in risk. I also advise the CFO on IFRS Standards and support the internal audit function.
I think my biggest achievement was in 2019 when I was invited to be a guest speaker at the Accounting and Finance Conference in Dubai. Professionals from across the world attended and I was asked to speak on the importance of a cashflow forecast. After the presentation, several participants thanked me for my insights and asked to share my presentation; that made me very proud.
I enjoy networking and making new professional contacts, which is a valuable skill. I also enjoy counselling junior staff and have advised many young professionals on their career path. Outside work, I like swimming and camping.
