Dull? Far from it, accounting is an exciting profession

Should accounting students be worried about modern technology taking over their jobs?

No. Technology has merely changed how we do our work as accountants, it has not substituted us. 

How did you get  your first job?

I was an intern in the finance office at a company that had a gym as part of its business. The marketer had this huge book with contacts that helped her reach out to organisations to enroll their staff at the gym. One day, I photocopied contacts for most of the organisations.

I had decided that my interest was in the NGO world. I sent out applications for accounting work in several organisations. One morning, about 10 months after sending an application to the World Vision Eldoret office, I received a call from the head office in Karen inviting me for an interview. As they say, the rest is history. 

How did you end up at Amnesty International?

Joining Amnesty International Kenya also came unexpectedly. I had seen the advertisement for the job in one of the newspapers and applied. That’s how I got this job. I must say that after my job at World Vision, I have been particular on what organisations to work for. I am lucky to have had an international organisation like this one as my first employer as that set the pace for me. 

What was your greatest challenge when you started your career?

I realised that what we learn in school is not 100 per cent what one finds at the work place. You have to learn the practical aspects of the job and quickly fit in. It is also important to identify a mentor, preferably in the same profession, someone who can explain stuff, relate them to the theory from school and answer the many questions a young employee has. 

You seem to have been what one can call a school-holic as a university student and young woman – chasing various academic and professional credits. What was your motivation?

I had a normal social life like any young person, but I was very careful with what I did and who I associated with. In this profession, you can handle bookkeeping jobs after acquiring basic qualifications, but I remember my dad saying “no” to all job offers I got, insisting that I had to reach a certain level as the little money would have distracted and “trapped” me in the low paying jobs. His advice helped a lot, enabling me to attain the level of education that I have managed so far. 

You are a member of various professional bodies in your field. For a young person just starting their career, what is your advice on the importance of such bodies?

Joining relevant professional bodies early in one’s career is very important as it gives you an avenue to network with the right people (for jobs) and also get mentored by the seniors in that profession. 

You are vying to join the council of ICPAK (Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya) what is the link between who you are as an accountant and leadership and/or policy?

As an accountant, I stand for integrity, openness and accountability. This makes me very passionate about our role as policy makers and policy influencers. Collectively and individually, accountants have a big role to play in our country’s development. There are many spheres of our country’s policy formulation that require the accountants input; from budgets, borrowing, salary regulation, to devolution and even electoral functions. As a woman leader, I want Kenyans to know that electing women to various leadership positions could save the country huge sums of money that we spend trying to create gender parity.

What do you think is the greatest misconception about accounting as a career? 

That accounting is dull and boring. This is a very interesting profession. If you are ready to adventure, you can work in various organisations from NGOs, government, manufacturing, churches, among other institutions because our skills are needed everywhere; you can also work as an auditor, tax consultant, grants manager or finance consultant. Other misconceptions are that accounting is a male dominated career and that accounting work ends at book keeping. 

What was your greatest misconception about life when you were 25?

I think it was that there will always be a “tomorrow” to finish what I am too lazy or unmotivated to do today. I have come to learn that whatever you do, you should give it your best because time is a scarce resource. 

What advice would you give a university student studying accounting regarding how to get ahead in their career?

 Ensure you enroll for the professional courses in accounting even while still studying for your degree.

 Consider taking short courses in areas that complement your accounting skills such as procurement and administration.

 Take the opportunity to learn all that there is at university and in the work environment, including the latest technology used in the profession, and do not be discouraged or shy away from volunteering your services as it gives you an opportunity to network and learn. 

Apart from academic qualifications, what personal traits do those who want to become accountants nurture?

As an accountant, you need to be extremely trustworthy, organised, a good communicator and keen on details. You also need to be creative and open-minded to be able to think of solutions in different scenarios.