My uncle, an audit partner, was my inspiration to pursue the prestigious field of accountancy. My own career also started in audit, with Deloitte Pakistan in my home city, Karachi. It was an amazing experience where I also gained international exposure within Deloitte Middle East. These experiences helped me take an opportunity with Saima Packaging, where I served for over five years as finance manager.
In January 2022 I moved to Saudi Arabia and took on a challenging role with auditors RSM. I chose to begin my career with a practice firm in order to gain experience across diverse industries and sectors. In practice, we are able to easily keep abreast with current changes, especially in IFRS Standards and ISAs; in corporations, the opportunities to keep up with these developments are more limited.
I like challenges that make me think outside the box
To be a good auditor takes proper planning and professional scepticism. Alongside this you need up-to-date knowledge of current regulations and accounting standards, business understanding, and experience with automated auditing tools.
I have spent my entire career to date stepping out of my comfort zone in one way or another. As a young auditor at Deloitte, I had to meet stringent deadlines, often having to work late as I was multitasking for multiple clients. In my time in the packaging industry, I was given the responsibility of acting finance manager, which later became a permanent role. This involved many complex tasks, and often I had to work late to meet tax and reporting deadlines.
Business faces many challenges in Saudi Arabia. More subject experts, cultural awareness and advanced understanding of financial management are all needed. A lack of bookkeeping expertise, localisation, technical standards, intellectual property rights and inflation can also pose problems.
However, there are opportunities for entrepreneurs. There is easy access to finance, the pegging of the Saudi riyal to the US dollar gives economic and foreign exchange stability, there are industrial zones with complete facilities for new business sectors, and the climate is favourable for solar energy. Saudi Arabia also has an advanced healthcare system, and consistency in its Vision 2030 plan.
If I had law-making powers in my home nation of Pakistan, I would like to revamp the tax and company laws. Currently they are interpreted and implemented too much in favour of lawmakers rather than business. I also would take some law-making powers away from parliament and give them to technocrats so that the issue of conflict of interest can be minimised.
My employer has been very appreciative of my contribution, particularly the cost savings I have found
I enjoy my job because I am a risk-taker. I like challenges that make me think outside the box. I also enjoy working with diverse people, understanding both the differences and what we have in common. The access it gives to new business ideas and learning about and understanding different enterprises also attracts me.
I think going into a junior position and then being promoted to finance manager in the shortest span of time can be counted as one of my biggest achievements. My employer has been very appreciative of my contribution, particularly the cost savings I have found.
If I weren’t an accountant, I would be a doctor. I would like to help people, alleviating pain and making them feel better. Doctors are the caretakers of humanity.
It can be difficult to find time outside of work, but whenever I can I love to go travelling. I also enjoy cooking and outings with friends and family.
