My mother worked as an accountant, so our summer holidays never really started until the half-year financial statements had been filed. I was drawn to structure and logic, which led me too into accounting.
Pursuing the ACCA qualification while working full-time wasn’t just an academic challenge. It also meant travelling to neighbouring countries to sit exams, sometimes under stressful conditions, especially during the pandemic. Balancing work, study and logistics required discipline and resilience – rather like my hobby of long-distance running, where signing up for races when you’re not sure you’re ready also pushes you to manage discomfort.
AI is forcing us to become more human in how we add value
Bosnia and Herzegovina is still relatively young as a market economy, having transitioned from a socialist system. Its complex internal structure and divided tax jurisdictions also make doing business more challenging than in many other countries.
In this environment, especially during global uncertainty, businesses need clarity as well as compliance. Firms can help by guiding clients through regulatory complexity, identifying risks earlier, and supporting faster, better decisions. The shift is away from reporting what happened to explaining what it means and what to do next. Accountants are becoming true thinking partners to businesses, not just service providers.
Being someone clients turn to is both a responsibility and a privilege
AI is pushing firms to rethink where their real value lies. With routine tasks becoming faster and cheaper, the differentiator is no longer efficiency but insight. The firms that will stand out are those that use AI to free up time that can be reinvested in deeper analysis, better client conversations and more advisory work. AI is forcing us to become more human in how we add value.
If I had law-making powers, I wouldn’t use them. Instead, I’d focus on applying existing laws. Frequently, the issue isn’t lack of regulation, it’s uneven enforcement. If laws were seen to be applied equally, it would build trust and improve the business environment. However, fairness is key here: the same standards must apply to everyone, without exception. That certainty would be more valuable than any new legislation.
What I enjoy most about my job is the problem-solving aspect. Fundamentally, my role is about understanding how things work and why sometimes they don’t. I value the variety, as no two engagements are ever the same. I also like meeting new people from different industries, which gives me a broader perspective. Being someone clients turn to is both a responsibility and a privilege.
You can do everything right and it will still go wrong, but you shouldn’t stop trying
My favourite quote comes from Star Trek’s Jean-Luc Picard. ‘Sometimes it is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness; that is life.’ It’s a reminder that in both work and life not everything is within your control. You can do everything right and it will still go wrong, but that doesn’t mean you should stop trying.
If I weren’t an accountant, I’d probably do something that still involves patterns and analysis. Data science or investigative work would appeal. I’ve always been interested in connecting dots and understanding the story behind the numbers.
In my own time, I’m active in the quizzing community, which I really enjoy. It keeps me thinking across a wide range of topics and it’s a great social activity. Long-distance running also helps me reset mentally.
