It was my first job as a bus conductor in Bulawayo that led me to become an accountant. A colleague there was studying accounting and told me about the many opportunities it offered as a career. Having gained my A levels I went to university to study for a bachelor of commerce in accounting. I took my first role at BDO Zimbabwe in 2005 before joining RSM Botswana, where the managing partner encouraged me to take the ACCA qualification.
I have stepped out of my comfort zone many times in both my personal life and career, such as when I decided to quit my job and enrol at university. The adjustment to life as a student with no monthly salary was not easy. In practice, I have found you must be an all-rounder as your clientele expect you to be there for them in every situation. A memorable challenge came when a client asked me to prepare a business proposal seeking government funding. This was my first time doing this type of assignment; I was nervous but my hard work and research were rewarded when the proposal was approved.
I believe AI will make firms more profitable and efficient in the long run because less time will be taken doing mundane tasks and data analysis will be more effective. However, it may result in job losses. Consulting work may be under threat, too, with clients using AI for valuations and many other advisory services that firms currently offer. There are also risks to confidentiality and data protection and, as with any new technology, cybercrime is also a threat.
I was fortunate to have a teacher who moulded me to become a professional accountant
What I enjoy most about my job is that I get to interact directly with business owners. Offering solutions to the unique circumstances of their business requires detailed understanding and this diversity presents a different challenge each day. I also like the satisfaction of building long-lasting relationships with clients and seeing my contribution to their success.
This is my favourite saying: ‘If you can read this, thank a teacher.’ This was very true for me coming from a non-financial background to take commercial subjects at A level. Here, I was fortunate to have a teacher who moulded me to become a professional accountant.
The main difference about being a partner is that you have responsibilities on several fronts. You are always thinking strategically about how to grow the client base, while also having regard to compliance, new laws and accounting standards. It is challenging but exciting. In earlier roles, I would be looking forward to my next pay cheque, untrammelled by the responsibility of considering client problems.
If I had law-making powers, I would change the education system to allow students to specialise in their areas of interest rather than a wide range of subjects. This would help grow our profession as students would go into audit because they were passionate about it, not just for the sake of a job.
As a school student, I used to visit banks and request their quarterly reviews
Economics was my favourite subject at school so had I not become an accountant, banking would have interested me as a career. In my teens, I used to visit banks and request their quarterly reviews, which fascinated me. My request amused the bankers, as it was a very unusual interest for a school student.
In my spare time, I love sharing my sizeable collection of reggae music with friends. It includes much rare music, sourced over many years and gives me endless pleasure. I also enjoy listening to my favourite podcast, Sounds of the Caribbean with Selecta Jerry, every Saturday. I have not missed an episode in 10 years!
