I see accounting as a unique profession. It is one that offers great opportunities to work anywhere in the world, in any industry of your choice, always knowing that you can always choose something new.
My career started during big changes in Latvia, with domestic business booming and foreign investments flowing in. I first worked with real-estate developers who had expanded into Latvia. It was a challenging and joyful experience, because regulatory framework was poor and many things had to be designed from scratch, using common sense. After the 2008 crisis, I joined Coca-Cola Hellenic as a tax specialist, and while there I gained my ACCA, taking my professional knowledge to another level.
Every time I had to deliver training, I was dying inside
I believe AI can contribute to the technical side of strategy planning, through deeper analysis of numbers, better models and providing information that many businesses might have never seen as relevant to their strategies. AI capacity for data processing also goes beyond human abilities, expanding time for more creative processes. People involved in strategic decisions are the drivers of AI tools, meaning they must change the way they approach their tasks but not give up critical thinking. AI technology is still emerging and while it brings many benefits, it also carries risk. Companies that could be exposed to data risks find themselves overdependent on external AI service providers. The technology also leaves a very significant environmental footprint – something that is often overlooked.
I stepped out of my comfort zone when I had to deliver classroom training on tax accounting. It did not go well and afterwards I received the students’ feedback. It was not just bad; it was the worst of my life, which took a while to get over. Every time I had to deliver training, I was dying inside. However, with effort and practice I managed to improve my performance from just about average to good. Nowadays, I really like delivering training sessions and can’t wait for my turn.
Modern accounting means finance people must keep their minds open
My favourite quote comes from Nelson Mandela: ‘It always seems impossible until it is done.’ During my professional and personal life, I faced things that seemed too big and too difficult to manage. This quote helps me to stop worrying about all the ‘VUCA’ – volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity – on my desk and start working towards my goal, no matter what.
I enjoy my job because of the ever-changing environment in taxes, involving the agendas of state revenue services and many tax departments. I also like how new technology affects our profession, placing additional requirements in one area and reducing them in another. Modern accounting means finance people must keep their minds open and fearlessly move into new developments.
My biggest achievements are the numerous successful projects I’ve led. These added little or no cost but gave impressive added value.
If I had law-making powers, I would introduce tighter regulations and more control over cryptocurrencies and on the use of use of AI. These technologies are having a major impact on the environment and are extensively used to commit crimes.
If I wasn’t an accountant, I would be a lawyer, as I think there would be many opportunities to get involved in diverse and interesting projects. The legal world is always evolving alongside developments in human society, and the use of law has guided the development of human civilisation.
In my own time, I prefer peaceful and recreative hobbies like gardening, but above all I enjoy hanging out with family and friends. So many things would be impossible for me without the support and understanding I get from my loved ones.
