I have worked in accounting for over a decade, focusing on public sector finance. Growing up, my family and friends all played an instrumental role, providing the guidance and support that has shaped me into the professional that I am today.
My career started in 2011 with one of the main tax administration agencies in Barbados. I have worked in the areas of revenue collection, internal audit, tax audit and managing teams within our large taxpayer division.
I want to push my boundaries so I can further contribute to my organisation, and pursue opportunities and challenges
In 2013, I gained the ACCA Qualification, which provided me with the skillset to progress to the management stage of my career. Later, I decided to follow my passion for investigation and enrolled in a forensic accounting programme. Following this, I pivoted to internal auditing, where I was able to put my newly developed forensic skills to work.
During 2020, I returned to tax auditing with a specialised unit and I intend to continue investing in my professional development. I want to push my boundaries so I can further contribute to my organisation, and pursue opportunities and challenges.
Government is the largest employer on Barbados and the opportunities for learning are varied. It is an excellent training ground for any young professional. Working in the tax arena is demanding as it requires the development of highly technical, organisational and administrative skills. However, this provides for an exciting work experience, where budding accountants have many opportunities to develop their careers.
Closure of businesses, unavailability of certain services and rising unemployment have resulted in low tax yields
My appreciation of financial statements and their importance to capital markets encouraged me to pursue forensic accounting. Fraud and financial crime are a continuous risk affecting businesses from a variety of industries, and governments are certainly not exempt from this issue. It is for this reason I chose to join the fight to combat fraud and encourage transparency and accountability in financial reporting.
Barbados is faced with the many challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Closure of businesses, unavailability of certain services and rising unemployment have resulted in low tax yields. We are also faced with the issues surrounding climate change. However, we can diversify our economy through harnessing emerging opportunities within the Blue and Green economy and getting in on the ground floor of the global digital revolution.
If I had law-making powers I would pass integrity legislation – not just for high net-worth individuals and government ministers, but also for civil servants, public officials and influential private citizens alike.
If I wasn’t an accountant, I would have liked to have become an airline pilot. Aviation has always been my passion
One of the most enjoyable aspects of my job is being able to apply the skills and knowledge obtained from the ACCA Qualification. The satisfaction of using this to develop my team is very rewarding.
My biggest achievements have been acquiring my qualifications, but also inspiring and mobilising my audit team to complete our work and helping my division to achieve its goals.
If I wasn’t an accountant, I would have liked to have become an airline pilot. Aviation has always been my passion and I expect this would be a highly rewarding technical area. I love to spend time plane-spotting; I watch aircraft at my local airport, particularly landings and take-offs.
I also enjoy quality time at the beach, which is a therapeutic place offering the peace and serenity needed after a challenging week. I enjoy cooking and am challenging myself to prepare advanced cuisine.
