My inspiration to become an accountant came from reading financial reports in newspapers and business magazines. I was fascinated and wanted to understand how financial statements are prepared. So, in 2010, I enrolled for a Diploma in Accountancy at what is now the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi.
The experience whetted my appetite and I decided to study for the ACCA Qualification, which I did while working full-time as a revenue officer for the Malawi Revenue Authority. I passed in 2014 and moved to Deloitte as an audit trainee, where I gained practical experience before crossing the divide and joining seed processing company Demeter Agriculture, part of Meridian Group, as senior accountant in 2017. In 2020 I switched back into practice as a senior auditor with Baker Tilly before moving to my current employer, humanitarian aid organisation World Vision International, as a regional internal auditor in 2021, based in Lilongwe. I have responsibility for nine countries across the southern Africa region.
My recommendations contribute to the wellbeing of the children that World Vision supports
The benefit of working in the NGO sector is that you are enhancing operations that make a positive difference to people’s lives. It brings me joy to see that my audit recommendations have resulted in changing the lives of children for the better. World Vision’s focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience the fullness of life. Having been born and grown up in a poor country I know how it feels to live without basic necessities like water, food, clothes and shelter. I would encourage accountants to join the humanitarian sector where the impact of our work can be felt and seen.
Moving into the NGO sector and away from the corporate world definitely took me out of my comfort zone. It was scary due to the uncertainty of finances to fund our work, which obviously affects job security.
In fact, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine there has been a reduction in funding. We expect it to dwindle further, as our donors are working people and not big corporations. This will obviously put pressure on our operations, yet there is a constant demand for our interventions, especially in times of natural disasters and famine. Already statistics show that one million Malawians are at risk of hunger in 2022.
If I had law-making powers, I would remove immunity from corrupt leaders so that they may be prosecuted while holding office. There is too much corruption in Malawi.
What I enjoy most about my job is seeing that my recommendations have impacted finance operations for the better and contributed to the wellbeing of the children that World Vision supports. I like how my soft skills, such as communication and teamwork, have been sharpened as a result of working with people from diverse backgrounds. The travel and experience of different languages and cultures is also very satisfying.
My biggest achievement was passing my ACCA Qualification, but I also rate landing the opportunity to work for one of the biggest NGOs in the world as a significant achievement. Still ambitious, I am currently studying for the Certified Internal Auditor qualification of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
If I weren’t an accountant, I would have been a doctor or some other health-related professional. I have a passion for helping people.
Outside of work I love to jog, spend time with my kids, and study the bible with my family. I recently enrolled in a karate class and I’m loving my new hobby.
