My inspiration to join the profession came from my brother. He is an accountant and, as big brothers often do, he influenced my choice, persuading me that accounting would offer a good future. All of my family have influenced my life and career in different ways, but my mother takes the lion’s share of credit for shaping the professional I have become.
From 2004 to 2007, prior to qualifying with ACCA, I worked as an accountant in a number of sectors, including both government and private organisations. Later, while working as an internal auditor at the Ethiopian Red Cross, a friend introduced me to the idea of public practice, and I realised that ACCA was the obvious choice for my studies.
Once qualified, I joined Ethiopian accountancy and audit firm HST (a member of Deloitte) as a senior auditor. After nearly two years’ gaining experience there, I moved on to Girma and Fasil audit service partnership as an audit manager. In a relatively short period of time, these roles gave me the opportunity to work with highly experienced partners and directors in various business sectors. In the process, I found myself very interested in the methodologies and practices of accounting firms. It was then that I decided to make public practice my future, and in 2015 I started my own firm.
I like solving challenging business issues and adding value across a wide range of clients, and having my own practice allows me to encounter people from different backgrounds
There are significant barriers to entry to the public practice sector in Ethiopia. It isn’t well regulated and there are abnormal market competitions, so start-ups face huge challenges in acquiring clients.
Deciding to be an entrepreneur in such a market was one of the biggest decisions I have ever taken. However, I like solving challenging business issues and adding value across a wide range of clients, and having my own practice allows me to encounter people from different backgrounds, which I enjoy a lot.
Covid-19 has brought new challenges for our business. There’s been pressure to spend on IT infrastructure to facilitate remote services and working from home. Our clients’ revenue collection is also being hit hard as a result of a contraction in economic growth and falling trade due to decreased exports and imports. This will have a negative impact on our service fees over this period.
Gaining the ACCA Qualification was a major achievement in my life. It has been extremely beneficial to my career, allowing me to become an entrepreneur in public practice and providing me with great opportunities for professional development.
If I hadn’t become an accountant, I would probably be an engineer. I was always good at mathematics.
If I had lawmaking powers, I would enact statutes to limit the terms of office of African leaders. I wonder why some leaders cling to power for decades instead of pursuing other interests.
I’m trying to fine a balance between my work and home life. I enjoy spending time with my family, and I love football, but it’s often hard to get the balance right.
