Growing up in an environment rich with accounting literature, thanks to my father’s profession as an accountant, I developed a grasp of accounting principles early on. My career began with a traineeship at mobile network operator MTN Ghana, but I moved on to a role at KPMG later the same year, believing that starting an accounting career in practice would offer invaluable experience. Balancing my work at KPMG with my ACCA studies allowed me to directly apply academic concepts to real-world scenarios. I qualified in 2012, winning five awards including the ACCA best affiliate in Ghana.
I have been with KPMG for over 15 years. My role has not been limited to audit, however – there have been plenty of opportunities for personal and professional growth. I have been privileged to lead the implementation of the System of Quality Management (SoQM) in the Ghana office, in line with the requirements of the International Standards on Quality Management (ISQM 1). I am also a member of the audit learning and development team. These roles, among others, present considerable challenge and have kept me motivated throughout these years. Alongside this, the firm’s values – integrity, excellence, courage, etc – align with mine so it feels like home.
In a three-year secondment to Scotland I learnt a lot
I stepped out of my comfort zone during a secondment to the UK. The prospect of relocating to the north of Scotland presented a daunting challenge. My faith was key in my decision, and I enjoyed my three years in Aberdeen, learning a lot and gaining a promotion too. The weather took some getting used to, as the average annual temperature is around 8°C and even in summer temperatures above 20° are unusual!
I believe that artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to positively transform the way we perform our work. We are finding that its ability to automate repetitive tasks, analyse large data quickly and detect unusual transactions, will improve the efficiency and accuracy of audits. However, the high volumes of sensitive data that AI will be handling raise data privacy and security concerns. There is also the risk of a potential drop in the use of professional judgment through over-reliance on AI. Recent instances of AI ‘hallucinations’ also raise questions as to whether audit teams may be able to vet the conclusions drawn from the datasets by AI and confidently defend them when challenged by clients.
Understanding each team member’s unique strengths allows me to delegate tasks effectively
In my role, I enjoy mentoring graduates starting their careers, providing guidance and creating an environment where they can thrive. I lead exceptional audit teams, and understanding each team member’s unique strengths allows me to delegate tasks effectively, ensuring growth opportunities for all.
Monitoring global and local trends and engaging my clients on the potential impact of any developments on their businesses and financial statements is fulfilling. For example, when Ghana was considered a hyper-inflationary economy last year, I engaged my clients in advance on the potential impact of IAS 29, Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies. I also kept them updated on the position of the local regulator on the subject and the implications for both group and statutory reporting purposes.
I like to bake, a hobby I picked up in Scotland during the Covid lockdown
If I had law-making powers, I would change the provision in Ghana’s current Companies Act, which mandates auditor rotation after a maximum of six years. This was introduced without enough consultation with the accounting profession, leaving both practitioners and the public uncertain about its intended purpose. I believe mandatory rotation should only apply to public interest entities, such as financial institutions and other regulated entities, and not to private companies. The current requirement imposes additional costs on private companies, audit firms and regulatory bodies, with minimal benefits.
My favourite quote is from Proverbs 3:5-6: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.’
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, and watching football. I also like to bake, a hobby I picked up in Scotland during the Covid lockdown.
