People often assume that those who end up in accountancy planned it from the very beginning of their careers. In my case, the opposite is true. My primary degree is in agricultural science, and I began my career working for BASF as country manager in Ireland, before moving to our headquarters in Ludwigshafen to work in global marketing.
I was busy working with customers, markets, products and growth, not with balance sheets or consolidation. Finance was something important, of course, but it was managed by ‘the finance people’.
As part of BASF’s acquisition of a global competitor, I was appointed to the integration team to help lead the post-merger integration process. Suddenly, discussions were no longer only about customers and market share but about how businesses fit together legally, operationally and financially.
I found myself sitting in meetings where terms like group consolidation, joint ventures, equity valuation and balance-sheet impacts determined what we could or could not do commercially. This encouraged me to look at gaining an accountancy qualification.
Strengthening expertise
Starting a professional qualification was therefore not about changing careers but about strengthening my expertise. After reviewing the accountancy bodies, I decided on ACCA membership for several reasons.
I wanted to understand the entire financial language of international business
There is the broad scope of the syllabus, which offers modules on audit, tax, governance, risk, financial reporting and financial strategy. Then there is its strong international recognition. And I did not want to become just an auditor or only a management accountant; I wanted to understand the entire financial language of international business.
Why ACCA matters
ACCA has given me that complete perspective. That is also why many business leaders today enter the profession – because modern leadership requires strong financial judgment.
It is collaboration across teams, cultures and functions that builds long-term success
It was not an easy road to travel, but I persevered and obtained my ACCA membership in 2011.
Identity and values
ACCA has provided me with much more than just technical knowledge. It has given me a professional identity and a set of values: ethics, integrity responsibility, leadership and accountability. These values have contributed greatly to my career and influence.
Here in Germany, we work in one of the strongest economies in the world in companies, organisations and institutions making decisions that affect people’s jobs and livelihoods. Never underestimate the influence you will have.
One African proverb sums up much that I have learned in my career: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together’. While individual talent will open doors, it is collaboration across teams, cultures and functions that builds long-term success.
Vastly different world
The accountancy profession is in a vastly different world than before. Many of us now work from home, meeting virtually and often in isolation, without the daily office interactions that once helped us understand what was happening around us and, importantly, maintain our visibility within the organisation.
Your professional network is more important than ever
Home office has given us flexibility, but it has also created distance. And in this changed working environment, your professional network is more important than ever.
Career paths are changing. The linear careers of the past are being replaced by more flexible paths. Your professional network will not be just for career opportunities but also for support and learning.
That is why ACCA and organisations like the Accountants Group in Germany (AGiG), of which I am a committee member, are so important. AGiG is funded partly by ACCA from a portion of your annual membership subscription, and currently represents more than 3,000 qualified accountants resident here in Germany.
Your success will not be about titles but about how you treat people
We aim to provide professional and business development opportunities, and, through our regular seminars, the opportunity to network with other accountants living and working in the country.
ACCA members are eligible for AGiG membership. It costs nothing.
I would like to close with just three thoughts:
- Stay curious. Everything is changing fast, so we must keep learning.
- Stay grounded. Your success will not be about titles and qualifications, but about how you treat people.
- Stay courageous. It is not always easy, but if something is not right, stand up and say so.
