I knew little about accounting until I went to business school at the University of Ghana in 2011. The passion to become an accountant, and then more specifically a tax consultant, became clearer only when I started my career at KPMG. I immediately decided to pursue a qualification in accounting and ACCA was my choice. During my studies I was exposed to a range of skills, including business analysis, analytical thinking and looking at things from different perspectives.
Dealing with a variety of client issues every day keeps me curious and excited
My time at KPMG has been fulfilling and has given me the opportunity to work with different clients across diverse industries and jurisdictions. I have risen through the ranks from tax associate to tax senior manager and also work as the executive business manager at the senior partner’s office, where I offer support on strategy development and implementation and business development. I enjoy providing tax advice to a portfolio of businesses because it involves dealing with a variety of client issues every day, and that keeps me curious and excited. There are always opportunities to provide support and also to learn something new.
Being in a practice offers an accountant the opportunity to help businesses tackle some of the difficult challenges they face. As a practitioner you also get the opportunity to influence policy as it relates to your area of expertise. I especially enjoy having to keep up with new legislation and evolving business trends.
What I enjoy most of all about my job is the people I work with. They are very supportive, knowledgeable and friendly.
Ghana is politically stable and rich in natural resources. The country is open to investors, and until recently its economy was one of the fastest growing in sub-Saharan Africa.
However, Ghana is import-dependent, and we import most of our household consumables. We also export our natural resources in their raw state with minimal or no value addition. This has put significant pressure on our currency and negatively impacted our economy. Yet the country has a burgeoning youth population with the desire and drive to positively influence Ghana’s growth.
After graduating I wanted to be a university lecturer, as teaching lets you make a positive impact
I love teaching. If I weren’t working as an accountant, I would have been a teacher. I wanted to be a university lecturer after my first degree, as teaching offers the opportunity to make a positive impact on your students. As a teacher you also get to learn from your students every day, which makes you better and more expert at what you teach. The joy of seeing your students grow professionally and do well in society is very fulfilling. Today I use my life experience to encourage underprivileged and marginalised individuals in our society to pursue higher learning.
If I had law-making powers, I would regulate the number of government appointees, especially to ministerial positions, to help manage government expenditure. I would also require that successive governments maintain continuity of at least of 60% of major government projects and social intervention programmes to allow some to come to fruition.
When not at work I am very much a family man. I love to spend time with my family. I am also an active volunteer at my church.
