Over 20 years, my career has been anchored in financial reporting, assurance and regulation. I began my career in external audit, where I spent eight years, before joining the Botswana Accountancy Oversight Authority (BAOA) as one of its pioneer staff members. Over 12 years, I have moved up within the organisation, progressing to director technical and currently serving as acting CEO.
I provide oversight of accounting and auditing services in Botswana. I focus on promoting the quality, credibility and compliance of both financial and non-financial reporting of public interest entities, and oversee standard setting, financial reporting monitoring, audit practice and governance reviews, enforcement of compliance and other regulatory tasks.
Working with SMPs and SMEs fuelled my desire to influence global policies
My motivation stems from a deep interest in strengthening the financial reporting ecosystem to protect the public interest. Working with SMPs and SMEs fuelled my desire to influence global policies, so that international standards better reflect the realities of emerging markets.
While at BAOA, I have led several key initiatives. I was part of a team that developed the organisation’s initial regulatory policies and processes in collaboration with the World Bank. In 2017 I was seconded to the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors in South Africa. This experience enabled me to refine BAOA’s audit practice review methodology, making it more responsive to audit quality in firms, and thereby enhancing public interest protection.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is collaborating with professionals from around the world through numerous organisations such as the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators. I participate in discussions on global issues and share ideas on enhancing audit supervision. Being one of the few African jurisdictions in these forums is both a privilege and a source of pride. It allows me to benchmark our regulatory practices and bring valuable insights back to our local environment.
Working in regulation differs from external audit in terms of the perspective and the scope of responsibility. In auditing, the focus is on delivering assurance, meeting deadlines, applying standards and issuing opinions; at BAOA, regulation involves overseeing the entire financial reporting ecosystem. This includes everything from setting policies and monitoring compliance to influencing global standards and enforcing accountability. It demands a balance of technical expertise, strategic thinking, policy development and protecting the public interest.
Operating in a small jurisdiction means working with resource constraints
Audit regulators face several challenges. We must keep pace with evolving international standards and emerging issues such as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in audits, which requires updated methodologies. Also, operating in a small jurisdiction like Botswana means working with resource constraints while maintaining robust oversight. Managing public expectations is another challenge, as there is often a gap between these and what regulation can realistically achieve.
If I were not an accountant, I would have been a doctor. My initial university application was for medicine, but my brother, who submitted it on my behalf, changed my choice without my knowledge! Looking back, I’m grateful for his decision, as it led me to a fulfilling career.
If I had law-making powers, I would have all educational institutions and workplaces integrate a module of digital literacy and the ethical use of technology, including AI, into their core programmes. This would ensure that individuals could critically evaluate digital information and use new technology responsibly and ethically.
My favourite quote is from Shane Willard, an American speaker, teacher and preacher: ‘Words do not have power, but how we picture words working is what matters.’ This highlights the power of perception and mindset, reminding us that language influences us through the mental frameworks we build around it.
Outside of work, I love travelling and have a bucket list I tick off annually. I also enjoy watching tennis.
