I was only five when my dad, who was an accountant, brought me to his workplace for the first time. The smell of the ink on the large accounting books and the sound of the dot-matrix printing machine impressed me. Even then, I knew that my future would be in the accounting profession.
My career started in 2008, working in tax. Next, I spent four years as a management accountant, learning more about the processing of transactions, before moving on to join the finance function at a university.
Six years ago, I observed that our profession was lagging in technology. This inspired me to deviate from a traditional accounting path and join the software specialist Caseware. We provide accountants and finance professionals with powerful technology for efficiency, accuracy and innovation.
AI will act as an assistant to humankind, not a replacement
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already impacting the corporate landscape through the automation of routine tasks. However, businesses must put in place safeguards to protect sensitive client data and ensure that their AI tools align with industry requirements. Compliance, IT security and governance all have a significant role to play in maintaining a balance between innovation and oversight, but new roles for finance professionals are also being created, such as coding. I believe human judgment is here to stay, though, as AI will act as an assistant to humankind and certainly not as a replacement.
Joining Caseware was a step out of my comfort zone. This role marks a dramatic shift from traditional finance functions to mastering new technologies designed for finance professionals. I had to rapidly adapt to the landscape of financial technology, learn to train peers and, most importantly, develop sales acumen to promote these technologies. It was uncharted territory for me, negotiating and selling technology solutions, but also learning to code and test new innovations. The experience I gained has expanded my skill set and increased my versatility.
If you have to eat a frog, do it early in the day
My favourite mantra is ‘Eat the frog’; it’s a powerful phrase about tackling the toughest tasks first. For me, this saying has been a game changer. The idea is simple: if you have to eat a frog, do it early in the day. Rather than procrastinating or avoiding difficult tasks, get them out of the way, and you will feel lighter and more productive. ‘Eating the frog’ first never fails to give me a sense of accomplishment.
What I enjoy most about my job is empowering others through sharing knowledge, be it mentoring young professionals or guiding clients through the digital transformations. I also like being at the forefront of technology and using it for real-world solutions. I find it incredibly fulfilling to help businesses unlock the full potential of these tools.
Passing my ACCA exams when my daughter was six months old felt so good
My biggest achievement was passing my ACCA exams when my first daughter was just six months old. Nothing I did before, or have done since, felt so good.
If I had law-making powers, I would regulate the use of AI across key industries such as education, telecommunications, finance and healthcare. These laws would ensure that clear ethical guidelines are consistently observed, which would promote responsible innovation while safeguarding public wellbeing.
If I weren’t a qualified accountant, I would have been a veterinarian. I’ve always had a deep passion for animals and a strong desire to improve their wellbeing.
In my spare time I am on the managing committee of Not a Number, a Mauritius non-profit association. Its mission is to empower communities to view crime differently, looking at causal factors and providing ways to stay safe. It’s satisfying to give back to the community.
