My parents have been a source of inspiration throughout my life, encouraging me to value education and hard work. Their guidance has played a significant role in shaping my career. This, combined with my interest in business and problem-solving, led me to pursue accounting and finance.
I began my career as a client accountant, before progressing to teach accounting, finance and related subjects at university. I wanted to work in finance because of its unique ability to solve business challenges, support decision-making, and create value for organisations and society. But I’ve always had a strong passion for teaching and mentoring, which brought me into academia. I enjoy helping students connect financial concepts with real-world applications.
Recent events reinforce the need for diversification, innovation and sustainable growth
The current situation in the Gulf shows the importance of building resilient economies that are less dependent on a single source of revenue. While oil and gas will continue to play a significant role in the region, recent events reinforce the need for diversification, innovation and sustainable growth. Saudi Arabia has already made substantial progress through Vision 2030 by investing in sectors such as tourism, technology, renewable energy, entertainment, financial services and infrastructure. The current situation should accelerate these initiatives to attract foreign investment, create employment opportunities, and build a more diversified economy that is better positioned to respond to global economic and geopolitical changes.
Moving from industry into higher education took me out of my comfort zone. It required me to develop a completely different set of skills, ranging from curriculum design and student engagement to public speaking and academic leadership. Adapting to this environment was a significant challenge, but it ultimately strengthened my confidence and my ability to embrace change.
Meaningful achievements are often the result of small actions repeated over time
This is my favourite saying: ‘Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.’ It resonates with me because it highlights the importance of consistency, discipline and continuous improvement. Meaningful achievements are often the result of small actions repeated over time.
If I had law-making powers, I would introduce financial literacy as a compulsory component of school education. Understanding budgeting, saving and investing is an essential life skill. Equipping young people with this knowledge from an early age would help them make informed financial choices and improve the wellbeing of individuals, families and society.
What I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to teach, learn and reflect. Teaching allows me to support students in achieving their goals, while staying connected with developments in accounting and finance. I like working on my teaching practices and finding new ways to make learning more engaging and impactful for my students, preparing them for successful careers.
My biggest achievement has been successfully combining professional accountancy and higher education. From becoming an ACCA member to my career progressing to be an assistant professor in accounting and finance is something I value greatly. Equally rewarding is seeing former students succeed in their studies and careers. Knowing that I have contributed to their success continues to inspire me.
If I were not an accountant, I would probably have become a doctor. I have always admired the profession’s dedication to making a difference in people’s lives. The combination of continuous learning, analytical thinking, problem-solving and service to society is very appealing to me.
Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, travelling and exploring approaches to personal finance and budgeting. I also cherish spending quality time with my family, which helps me maintain a healthy work-life balance. Family time allows me to recharge and renew my perspective.
