My career started at 25 with an international organisation. I was still trying to determine my career path when I was thrust into the role of senior accountant. Initially feeling unprepared, I quickly settled into the role, which allowed me to apply the accounting principles I had learned as a student and ultimately led me to take my ACCA.
Since then, I’ve had an extensive public sector career. I’ve worked in Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda and Canada, and ran a successful consultancy practice for many years.
Nearly 20 years ago I took up a role at the Accountant General’s Department in Bermuda. It meant relocating my young family from Trinidad and Tobago, taking the risk that we might not adapt to our new home. Professionally, it meant working in a very diverse environment while learning Bermuda’s regulations. We soon found our footing and settled into our new community.
Happy individuals are ultimately more productive
My job offers an environment in which I thrive. No two days are alike. My role now also involves influencing strategic direction and operational efficiency, which allows me to interact with various stakeholders and members of the public. I also like mentoring our next generation of financial professionals.
Happy individuals are great team players. Each individual brings something unique to a team, and my role as a leader is to motivate and inspire staff to give their best. This means understanding what drives each person and what external factors may be impacting them. Individuals who feel appreciated are more committed, more focused and ultimately more productive.
AI is an important development for the public sector, which manages significant budgets. I believe it will facilitate better budget planning and improve data-driven decision-making. An increasing focus on anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing also means greater regulation, monitoring and compliance, and the use of AI will be key in supporting risk assessment and fraud detection. The public sector is also a repository for historical data, so AI will be able to streamline records and provide real-time responses on searches for such things as births, deaths and property titles.
I used basic management principles to motivate an under-11 football team
My biggest achievement came when I was appointed FD of a newly created state-owned company in Trinidad and Tobago. During my first six months, I developed the accounting staff structure, recruited a team, rolled out financial software and established a strong culture of efficiency and fiscal responsibility. The impact was immediate and continued long after I left the company.
If I could change one thing it would be to stop discriminatory hiring practices against those with a minor criminal record. Discrimination can be a significant roadblock that prevents reformed people – especially young people who have learned from their mistakes and are turning their lives around – from becoming productive members of society.
If I hadn’t gone into finance, I’d have enjoyed coaching football. I was head coach of an under-11 football team, where I used basic management principles to motivate my young players to believe in themselves. That season, we won 85% of our games. I was not a great player but I could have been a successful coach.
In my own time I enjoy being outdoors. I like to explore Bermuda’s many trails and frequent its world-renowned beaches. I also follow English Premier League football and am very excited by the World Cup.
