I like to think I have accomplished much throughout my career. I have been recognised and rewarded for my performance, selected for secondments and have led large group engagements as the newest and youngest manager. However, these do not compare to my pride on becoming a mother to my two amazing sons, which is by far my greatest accomplishment. All that I do in my career I do for them.
Growing up in Saint Lucia, it was customary to choose the path of a teacher, doctor or lawyer. However, my interest in accounting began when I fell in love with the subject at secondary school. With my passion for the profession ignited, I pursued a BSc in Accounting at the University of the West Indies.
After graduating I joined PwC St Lucia, where I began my career in auditing. WHile employed, I studied and gained my ACCA, CPA, CGA and FCCA qualifications. Over the past 14 years, in addition to PwC, I have worked with Grant Thornton in St Lucia, and I am currently employed as a senior manager with Baker Tilly in Toronto, Canada.
The automation of routine tasks should lead to more capacity
Artificial intelligence has the potential to provide the accounting industry with many benefits. The automation of routine tasks should lead to public accounting firms becoming more efficient, allowing for more capacity which will increase the number of clients and services being offered. Ultimately, this should lead to higher returns. The downside of AI is that it may be able to perform some tasks even better than the accountant, leading to roles becoming redundant.
Another challenge, especially in public accounting which has a high turnover, is sourcing and retaining skilled accountants. Recruitment is a continuous issue. The influx of skilled immigrants into the Canadian market provides an opportunity to build the human resources of businesses. However, the problem of retention remains, and requires investment in training and innovative strategies to keep new staff committed to their jobs over the long term.
My favourite quote comes from the St Lucian economist and Nobel Laureate, Sir Arthur Lewis: ‘The fundamental cure for poverty is not money but knowledge.’
If I had law-making powers, especially from an accountant's perspective, tax legislation would be at the top of my list. I would reduce the complexities associated with tax and structure rates in a way that would be fair and balanced.
There are always new issues that require critical thinking and problem solving
What I like most about my job is that auditing exposes me to a diverse group of clients across a variety of industries. The scope of my job is not restricted to one office, group of people or tasks. I also enjoy the continuous learning needed to stay up to date with standards and regulations, and there are always new issues that require critical thinking and problem solving.
If I was not an accountant, I think I would be in human resources. I would enjoy interacting with people and would advocate for their rights, while taking a fair and unbiased approach.
In my spare time, when I am not having adventures with my sons, you will find me in the kitchen baking. I love making and decorating cakes.
