ACCA has announced the winners of the Public Sector Advocacy Awards in Canada and the US. These awards recognise members who have acted as powerful advocates for ACCA and the accountancy profession, and made a real difference in their workplace and their communities, including working to nurture and encourage the next generation of talent.
The winner of the award in Canada is Syed Imran Zia, chief internal auditor and director of risk management and assurance at the Fraser Port Authority in Vancouver. Imran was nominated for his willingness to connect members and future members with each other. He is an active volunteer, organising networking events in Victoria and Vancouver, and speaking at numerous conferences.
‘I’ve witnessed first-hand the transformative effect of sharing my ACCA journey’
‘I was influenced by a few mentors early in my career who were ACCA members,’ he says. ‘Their professional success and the breadth of their knowledge inspired me to pursue this path.’
Global reach
Imran’s own ACCA qualification, he adds, has been ‘nothing short of transformative’ for his career, positioning him as a finance professional who understands not only local but international landscapes. He has worked in Asia, the Middle East and North America, and now works at Canada’s largest port.
‘Without ACCA, my journey would have been different,’ he says. ‘While I might still have had opportunities, the vastness, diversity and speed at which I have been able to seize them would likely have been limited. It has opened doors for me across continents.’
Wherever Imran has worked, he has been grateful for the ACCA community around him. He stresses that being an ACCA member is not just about the qualification; it’s about being part of a global community. ‘At the heart of advocacy lies the power to influence, inspire and ignite change,’ he says. ‘I’ve witnessed first-hand the transformative effect of sharing my ACCA journey. Advocacy is about sharing stories, experiences and best practices, helping others see a roadmap to their aspirations.’
‘Our stories and experiences humanise ACCA’s mission’
‘I feel strongly that advocates are the voice of ACCA in regions across the world,’ Imran says. ‘We bring local context to its global narrative. Our stories and experiences humanise ACCA’s mission, making it accessible, understandable and relatable. I believe in ACCA and I want to make sure that the world believes in it, too.’
From Jamaica to the UN
Meanwhile, Cheryl Clarke, chief resident auditor with the United Nations, was recognised for her work in raising the profile of ACCA in both the US and the UN. She has been instrumental in helping ACCA develop its relationship with the UN and in providing opportunities for students to network with ACCA members and leaders within the organisation. ‘I strongly encourage graduates to choose the ACCA qualification,’ she says. ‘It has given me an advantage and will give others the same.’
Born in Jamaica, Cheryl started her career as an accounts clerk and specialised in internal audit after qualification. She transitioned from financial and manufacturing companies to quasi-government roles, before moving to New York to join the UN.
‘Qualifying with ACCA wasn’t easy but once I succeeded, I knew I had the knowledge to tackle any area of business, so challenges have never fazed me,’ she says. ‘ACCA members are called accountants, but we are all much more than that.’
This year’s winners
The overall winner of this year’s Public Sector Advocacy Awards is Caroline McNulty. Read her story and watch the video where she shares what the award means to her.
The other country winners for members in the public sector are:
- China: Relinda Rui Zhang FCCA, Shouyi Healthcare Group, Beijing
- Nigeria: Haruna Yarima Abdullahi FCCA, Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service
- UK: Winifred Sarbah FCCA, NHS, London
For this reason, Cheryl encourages students and members to aim high in their career. ‘We can transition to operations, business data analysis, IT, communications, or aspire to the CEO role,’ she says. ‘The sky is in reach. We have worked hard for it, so don’t limit yourself.’
‘It’s a career I could only dream of, and it was made possible through ACCA’
As part of her work with the UN, Cheryl has travelled to multiple countries and is currently with the Resident Audit Office in Kuwait, which serves the UN peacekeeping missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Auditors at the UN are responsible for oversight of UN entities to provide assurance that resources are used efficiently and effectively. ‘It’s a career I could only dream of, and it was made possible through ACCA.’
Helping others through her advocacy work, she says, gives her a real sense of satisfaction. ‘After 30 years as an ACCA member, I have no regrets. I like the best and want the best for myself, so what better path to take than ACCA?’
Commitment and pride
Speaking about this year’s winners, Anthony Harbinson FCCA, one of the judges, chair of ACCA’s Global Forum for the Public Sector and a former ACCA president, says: ‘What is clear from our winners is that each of them is fiercely proud of their ACCA qualification and the opportunities that it has brought to them.
‘The range of advocacy work that our winners have exhibited, and their commitment to promoting ACCA around the globe, is inspiring and reflects the pride that they feel in their membership. But what is also striking is the personal fulfilment that they gain from their role as advocates. We hope that their experience will encourage others to follow in their path.’
