It was my father, an accountant, who encouraged me to pursue a career in finance. I began my journey at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, starting as a junior clerk and progressing through various roles until I reached director. Subsequently, I moved to another bank where I was responsible for establishing new finance and treasury management, a department I led until I was invited to become CFO at Nib International Bank, a first-generation private commercial bank with more than 400 branches nationwide.
Throughout my career, I have always supported my professional development; obtaining the ACCA qualification is an example of this belief.
The persistent conflict in the Middle East has impacted the banking sector in various ways, especially as there has been a decrease in revenue from both exporters and importers using routes and businesses throughout the region. Furthermore, there has been a rise in credit risk due to disruptions in the supply of raw materials, including fuel. These are essential for the operations of diverse business sectors that require credit facilities.
It is pleasing to reflect on challenging decisions at a later date
I stepped out of my comfort zone in a previous banking role, when I took on the initial adaptation of IFRS within the bank and tackled the broader industry implications, too. This experience enabled me to apply the knowledge I gained from my ACCA training in a practical setting, and also allowed me to develop my skills and share insights with others.
What I enjoy most about my job is how the finance function is so heavily involved in making decisions that consider current information and anticipate future expectations. The decisions I take are often challenging at the time; however, it is pleasing to reflect on them at a later date and see that the anticipated results came to fruition. Contributing to the success of our bank brings me great satisfaction.
This is my favourite quote, which comes from businessman and writer, Robert Collier: ‘Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.’
Organisations that have successfully integrated AI are seeing an increased return on investment
AI is transforming financial strategies in businesses. In my experience, it allows quicker decision-making, better predictive insights, and the automation of processes in reporting, risk management and investment planning. Those organisations that have successfully integrated AI into their financial operations are seeing an increased return on investment, enhanced accuracy and greater resilience to market fluctuations.
If I had law-making powers, I would require organisations to employ qualified accountants in their finance and accounting departments. This would enhance professionalism within Ethiopia and raise the country’s status as a place to do business.
If I were not a qualified finance professional, I would have probably pursued a career as a programmer or a civil engineer. Both appeal to me as I have a strong aptitude for mathematics and physics.
In my own time, I value spending time with my family. I enjoy seeking new knowledge from a variety of sources, including various social media platforms and websites, many outside my professional sphere. I also love watching football, and although Ethiopia did not qualify for the World Cup I have enjoyed following the progress of the other African teams.
