I was inspired to become an accountant by the way numbers tell a story – not just about money, but about decisions, priorities and values. Early on, I realised I enjoyed solving problems and making sense of financial patterns and information, and I studied for a degree in finance and banking in my home country of Zimbabwe. I worked briefly for a commercial bank, which made me fall in love with the sector.
In 2015 I went to work for PwC Botswana but moved continents two years later. I worked at KPMG Channel Islands and then BDO UK as an external auditor, before going into IT audit with KPMG UK, focusing on the financial services sector. I am now in internal audit at Coventry Building Society.
The world is becoming digital and data is the ‘new oil’
I offer impartial assessments aimed at enhancing governance, risk management and internal control frameworks. I also provide insights for organisational improvement. I really enjoy talking to different stakeholders within the organisation. Having access to the C-suite and exposure to various functions enables me to learn about the different functions and be an all-rounder, something that is peculiar to being an internal auditor. I take pride when my recommendations to improve internal controls are implemented by management, as it shows the trust they have in me and how I add value.
The world is becoming digital, and data is the ‘new oil’. By this, I mean technology is the new accounting infrastructure, and accounting professionals need to be proactive rather than reactive. We need to adopt technology as a strategic enabler; otherwise we risk being replaced by automation. Emerging technologies are changing the narrative.
People here work and play hard in a fast-paced environment
Switching from financial audit to tech audit was not easy. I had to learn quickly from my colleagues and adapt in a fast-paced environment. What helped me was my background in accounting, business processes and risk management, which helped me think like a technology auditor rather than a financial auditor. IT knowledge is not that essential to becoming a good tech auditor. Soft skills are far more important than tech skills in the sector; you need to be able to connect technology gaps or weaknesses and their impact on business/operational processes.
I migrated from Africa to Europe, so culture shock and business dynamics were big challenges for me. People here work and play hard in a fast-paced environment. I learnt about UK culture late in my journey when I was applying for permanent residence, five years after relocating. I wish the UK government would introduce mandatory ‘life in the UK’ lessons for people looking to move here. There is also a need for better integration programmes to help foreigners cope with life in the communities they live in. It is hard for foreigners to integrate unless they join a church or voluntary programmes.
One of my proudest achievements was being selected to become a member of ACCA UK’s financial services sector panel. Sharing insights and helping ACCA stay relevant and forward-thinking has enabled me to network and share ideas with people from different sectors and backgrounds.
I have run countless half-marathons as an individual and for UK charities
One day I would like to form my own consultancy in financial services. I’d also like to serve as a non-executive director and chair for other financial institutions.
If I hadn’t become an accountant, I’d love to have been a footballer. I played as a striker, midfielder and defender before I stopped due to injury, and am an ardent Manchester United fan. I am into fitness and have run countless half-marathons as an individual and for UK charities in Milton Keynes and Birmingham. I enjoy giving back to the community and have been an NHS Covid 19 volunteer and a British Heart Foundation London Marathon volunteer.
