My mother is an accountant, so when I was young, I grew familiar with words like balance sheet and financial statements, and the importance of submitting reports on time. Inspired by my mother, I started my career with KPMG in September 2008, after I graduated from university, which made my family very proud.
In 2010, I joined telecom company Orange Moldova as a financial controller, but returned to KPMG in 2011. I realised it was the right place for me to develop professionally and personally, becoming an ACCA member in 2013. Currently, as director, I lead the KPMG practice in Moldova.
Before it had fully recovered from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Moldova was hit by another crisis in February 2022: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a neighbour of Ukraine, logistical routes changed overnight. The country also faced an energy crisis as Russian gas supplies were cut off, with Moldova having to quickly reorient its imports from the EU. This caused a significant increase in the price of gas and electricity, and generated inflation of 30% in 2022, which heavily impacted the nation. The period was challenging for us as we faced an increase in costs such as raising salaries to cope with inflation, while still finding solutions in a turbulent market to boost our revenues.
A challenge could be an over-reliance on AI related to professional scepticism and critical thinking
I believe that AI will become a co-pilot for auditors, as it will reduce routine work, improve quality and increase speed. New auditors will be able to upgrade their skills and move away from repetitive tasks to focus on more judgmental ones. However, a challenge could be an over-reliance on AI in areas related to professional scepticism and critical thinking. I feel these cannot be fully outsourced to AI and should remain a key focus for the individual auditor.
I enjoy my role, as the environment is dynamic, and you interact with many different individuals, sectors and industries. I like learning new things each day and having the opportunity to develop new skills.
My favourite saying is: ‘Never say never.’ I also like this one: ‘Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable.’
Despite the war at its border, there was a light at the end of the tunnel for Moldova when it became an EU candidate, with negotiations formally opening in 2024. This is a tremendous opportunity for Moldova to develop its economy and improve our society. Accession to the EU requires significant work to ensure alignment regulations, with many challenges related to new compliance requirements, such as corporate sustainability reporting, which already apply across the EU. Our profession can help by providing dedicated workshops and training, and sharing our experiences from other EU markets.
Integrity is key, which means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching
For many decades we have tried to educate people with laws and regulations. However, I believe ethical behaviour and values should be the foundation of any society. Key to this is integrity, which is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
If I wasn’t an accountant, I might have become a photographer. I enjoy taking photos for our family albums, capturing special moments and the beauty of nature that surrounds us. It is important to focus on the right vibe, energy, angle and view, which then enables you to hopefully transform a simple picture into a masterpiece.
I like to spend time with my family and to go travelling with them. I also like swimming every week and going for country walks. I always enjoy playing football and volleyball, and teaching my seven-year-old son basketball. When I can, I like reading books, especially those related to leadership and personal development.
