My career started way back in 1998 when I enrolled for a bachelor of commerce honours degree in accounting at the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe. After graduation, I wanted to enter an internationally recognised profession, so I enrolled with ACCA and become a member in 2006.
When I was studying for the ACCA Qualification, I was trained by Innscor Africa, a listed group of companies that employed me as an accountant. I was later promoted to sector finance manager within the tourism and agro-foods divisions.
The public sector provides lots of opportunities for secondment or volunteering in emergency and rescue operations
After eight years at Innscor, I relocated to Dubai as group management accountant for Destinations of the World (now WebBeds). I managed financial operations for subsidiaries in seven different countries. After almost three years there, I joined Al Masaood as a group financial controller responsible for the travel and tourism, horticulture, mining and retail business verticals. I was then headhunted by Mercor Group in Dubai, joined as group finance manager and was later promoted to group COO.
The desire for a ‘Great Australian Dream’ compelled me to migrate. Having worked for companies across diversified business sectors, including NAB (one of the top banks in Australia), I decided to join the public sector. I’m now a senior business partner at the Victorian School Building Authority. I partner with stakeholders responsible for overseeing the completion of capital works, to meet their financial and non-financial reporting compliance activities, among other responsibilities.
My dad’s investment in our education provides me with the resilience and desire to work hard
The desire and passion to give back to the community compelled me. The work that I do is fulfilling, and knowing that my job is part of larger initiatives to maintain and improve the education system in Victoria keeps me motivated.
It has always been my dream to use my skills acquired over the years to serve the community. The public sector provides lots of opportunities for secondment or volunteering in emergency and rescue operations while maintaining my role. As a migrant, I feel more valued working for the public sector.
One of my older brothers trained at Coopers & Lybrand and became one of the youngest finance directors. This cemented a love for the finance profession. My dad also inspired me; when I look at him, I see an ‘honorary accountant’. He was an educator and a hard worker; with his meagre factory income, he managed to educate 11 of us, with some attending private schools. My dad’s investment in our education provides me with the resilience and desire to work hard and to take on challenging roles in order to provide for my family and the community.
If I weren’t an accountant, what would I be? Twenty-seven years ago, I developed a rare skin pigmentation disease and I still have a desire to know the cause and cure of this ailment. Dermatology would be my profession if I wasn’t an accountant.
