My 11 years of experience with RSM Bangladesh has allowed me to grow hand in hand with the firm. I saw the firm I trained with – Masih Muhith Haque & Co – become a member of RSM, which opened fresh doors and opportunities. I have been allowed to play a pivotal role and be critically involved in the firm’s developmental phases. Some might question why I have remained at the same firm but I don’t believe there are any disadvantages to my choice; any shortcoming is really just another chance for development.
I come from a family of accountants so it was almost inevitable that I would become one, too. However, it was really my father’s encouragement that led me to make the conscious decision about pursuing my career.
Working in audit serves as a bridge for individuals like me who enjoy rapid learning experiences
After qualifying in 2014, I was promoted to manager, then double-promoted to executive director. Although I spent the first seven years of my career in audit, I have now switched to consulting and am also the managing director of our consulting wing.
While the corporate world has its own positives to offer, I always admired how a single audit assignment allowed me to gain an insight into an entire business in a short span of time. Working in audit serves as a bridge for individuals like me who enjoy rapid learning experiences. However, making the switch to consulting has allowed me to look at scenarios from management’s perspective.
In Bangladesh, the challenges faced by foreign investors are the deficient resources of land, gas and power distribution, alongside a struggling transportation infrastructure. The most common issue is the opaque regulatory environment. Understanding my clients’ strategies and fitting them within the framework is crucial.
I enjoy the process of meeting complete strangers, who make us their trusted confidants in business
My biggest achievement was representing Bangladesh at the global finals of the CIMA Global Business Challenge, held in South Africa in 2013, having already won the competition at national level. The competition was a chance to represent not only my country but ACCA as well, since ours was the only team that was pursuing this particular professional qualification.
If I had law-making powers, I would promote development in workplace gender equality in Bangladesh. While opportunities exist, they are not accessible for all, so I would tailor opportunities specifically for females. This would definitely trigger more participation from our women, which is crucial for a healthy economy.
I believe a successful consultant should have great communication skills. I enjoy the process of meeting complete strangers, who through daily communication make us their trusted confidants in business. Developing and maintaining such a confidence-instilled professional relationship is a challenge I enjoy. The fact that you constantly need to remain updated in light of international and local laws, legislations and practices is also something I enjoy working on, as I can develop myself professionally.
If I were not an accountant, I would probably be an interior designer for homes. To be able to design and articulate a family’s dreams into reality is fascinating to me. Functionality and comfort are also two prerequisites for any good consultant, too!
When I’m not working, I like to travel around the world and explore new destinations. Most importantly, I am the mother of a four-year-old girl. I enjoy spending quality time with my daughter, learning the best and worst lessons of motherhood in the process. She keeps me driven to constantly function and develop, and I would not have it any other way!
