I would call the first seven years of my professional career an experimental stage, where I changed jobs five times. I started my career in Uzbekistan in financial services: first in banking, then a leasing company, and then a construction business where I focused on procurement.
However, I realised that two of my best friends from university were making good career progress in Big Four accounting firms. So, at 28, I had a choice: to continue as head of finance at a local construction business or take an entry-level position at a Big Four firm. I was impressed by the professional achievement of my friends, so I decided to take an audit assistant role at Deloitte. This gave me hands-on experience managing and coordinating various projects, applying knowledge of international standards and gaining practical experience of participating in, and then leading, complex transactions.
I had a choice: to continue as head of finance at a local business or take an entry-level position at a Big Four firm
I stepped out of my comfort zone when I decided to opt for the audit assistant role, which would be considered taking a few steps back in my career. However, I have never regretted this decision, as the experience gained at Deloitte strengthened my confidence in the finance world and opened the door for my ACCA Qualification. This has given me the depth of knowledge and global recognition to go in many different directions and have so many fulfilling experiences.
I am a now finance professional with proven success as a CFO. I have achieved multi-million-dollar cost savings and transformed the finance of numerous companies. I have been recognised for fostering true collaboration between finance and frontline managers by creating a link between strategy and execution.
Economically and territorially, Kazakhstan is closely tied to Russia, and sanctions have a direct impact on us
Having worked for seven years in professional services I had sufficient confidence in myself to pursue a CFO role in an international company. I wanted to apply my professional skills in a real manufacturing and distribution business, with all the inherent ups and downs. I was driven by the new challenges and opportunities to grow. However, I never discounted the possibility of going back to an audit firm, so while working in the corporate world I pursued an audit licence.
Currently, the main challenge for businesses in Kazakhstan is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Kazakhstan is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, in which the Russia is the biggest participant. Economically and territorially, Kazakhstan is closely tied to Russia, and sanctions have a direct impact on us. However, I prefer to consider the situation as an opportunity for businesses. It offers the chance to become stronger, develop internationally, overcome new challenges such as finding new routes for the supply chain and logistics, and become less dependent on the Russian economy.
We have a start-up environment where we regularly face and overcome new challenges
If I had law-making powers, I would change laws to liberate Kazakhstan from the burden of membership of the Eurasian Economic Union.
What I enjoy about my current job at parking tech firm Parqour is that we have a start-up environment where we regularly face and overcome new challenges. We always have to apply agility in order to achieve our goals.
My biggest achievement is the efficient combination of my professional career with having a big family. I have five daughters and could not have achieved a balance between work and home life without the support of my wife, who has always been there to back me up.
If I weren’t working in finance, I might have chosen to be a lawyer, as I would like very much to defend people’s lawful rights. Outside of work I regularly play football; I also enjoy reading and travelling.
