As a young woman from a small town in the south of Pakistan, I wanted an education that would yield long-term benefits and foster my independence. Having completed my matriculation at the tender age of 15, I left my hometown and relocated to Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, to enrol with ACCA, living with my brother who was also pursuing ACCA.
Initially, I was apprehensive about my prospects, given my limited exposure to accounting. However, seeing the transparency and fairness of the ACCA examination system, I quickly gained confidence in my ability to succeed.
Auditing offers a diverse range of industries in which to work
My decision to become an accountant was influenced by my elder brother, who had embarked on the same path before me. He shared insights on the exam requirements and syllabus, which motivated me to follow in his footsteps. Throughout this journey, my family provided unwavering support and belief in my abilities.
I completed my ACCA qualification aged only 18, making me one of the youngest affiliates. This gave me confidence that I could achieve all my dreams. I was working full-time at KPMG but determined to continue my academic journey, adding a further qualification in chartered accountancy to my ACCA.
My hard work was rewarded. Impressed by my dual qualifications and my five years’ experience with a Big Four firm at such a young age, Deloitte offered me a position in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was not easy moving to a new country, but worth it for my career growth. The support of my family and my husband helped smooth the journey.
As my career develops my ambition is to be an audit partner. I find the audit process to be highly engaging as it offers a diverse range of industries in which to work. The practical application of my professional qualifications gives me considerable satisfaction and, as an audit senior, I’m able to leverage my skills and knowledge to provide valuable guidance to clients, while also contributing to the growth and success of the firm. I have also had the opportunity to train ACCA students, which I find rewarding.
You need to work hard and leave your comfort zone if you want to be successful
I have seen many individuals with exceptional abilities who were unable to move into higher education due to financial constraints. Therefore, if I had law-making powers, I would allow subsidies to be provided for all eligible individuals to study for international qualifications such as ACCA. This would enable every student to pursue their desired qualification and fulfil their aspirations. The country would benefit from a more educated and skilled workforce, which would contribute to its economic growth and development.
One aspect of my profession that I particularly enjoy is the continuous learning. Each engagement presents me with novel challenges, adding to my professional growth. I also like interacting with a diverse range of individuals and clients to expand my expertise across various industries.
My favourite quote is: ‘I never dreamed about success – I worked for it.’ There is no doubt about it: you need to work hard and leave your comfort zone if you really want to be successful. At the start of my ACCA journey, many people told me that as a woman I would not succeed in joining the profession, but my father always believed in me and that motivated me to pursue my dream qualification.
If I were not an accountant, I think I would be a doctor. I’d like to provide care to those in need.
In my spare time I love reading books and writing, as well as singing. I am also passionate about travelling and discovering other places in the world.
