I’ve made a habit of stepping out of my comfort zone in my career in accountancy. I’ve moved across different sectors and to different countries, and regularly challenged myself by going after the things that I wanted despite my fear. All this has helped me become highly adaptable to different environments.
It was back in high school, after some career sessions, that I realised I was destined to become an accountant. Accountancy was presented to me as a career path and it seemed the perfect fit, as I was already a strong performer in mathematics and accounting. I went on to do my ACCA Qualification and have never looked back. It moulded me into the professional I am today.
Training with a large blue-chip organisation provides valuable experience and opportunities for career progression
Early on, I gained valuable experience when I joined a large blue-chip multinational manufacturing company as a finance trainee. I started out in the smallest business unit and within two years had been promoted to head office accountant. I ended up working in several senior roles in my home country Zimbabwe, before moving to South Africa and then on to the UAE, where I am now working as corporate finance controller for Zension Technologies, a fintech company.
Finance really does provide a varied career and the knowledge that ACCA imparted was top-notch. The skills are highly transferable, and I love the challenge of moving across industries and learning new things – which is why I pivoted to operational finance rather than a career in audit. I like to learn the nuts and bolts of everything I can grasp in a sector, and then roll up my sleeves and tackle the problems affecting the organisation.
Seeing my company evolve in the current landscape has been a great learning experience
As a subscription e-commerce company for consumer technology, Zension Technologies’ motto is to make technology accessible to all. As with all business sectors there will always be fresh players who seek to emulate and improve on the models of existing companies, but innovation is at the heart of our business. It is a great learning experience to see us evolving in this current landscape.
What I enjoy most about my job is that I am working with very smart people in a fast-paced environment. I like getting into the details of what is driving our business. I also love all the challenges that come as part of my job, as we brainstorm and collaborate on the best solutions possible.
Obtaining my ACCA Qualification has been my biggest achievement. The realisation so early in my life that chartered accountancy was going to be my career path gave me a trajectory that has enabled me to work internationally. My global experience is proof that what you put your mind to you can achieve.
Incentivising innovation would encourage companies to invest in R&D
If I had law-making powers, I would focus on creating laws that incentivise innovation, promote collaboration and foster effective leadership in the finance industry. This could have a significant impact on the sector, encouraging companies to invest in research and development, adopt new business practices, and work with other stakeholders to achieve common goals.
If I wasn’t an accountant, I think I would have been an engineer of some sort. Since my teenage years I have always loved fixing things.
When I am not at work, spending time with family and friends is sacred to me. I love watching great movies and TV series, especially where the characters learn lessons or the show concerns businesses, like The Playlist, which is about the growth of Spotify.
