My favourite quote is by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai. ‘With each new day in Africa, a gazelle wakes up knowing he must outrun the fastest lion or perish. At the same time, a lion stirs knowing he must outrun the fastest gazelle or starve. It is no different for the human race. Whether a gazelle or a lion, you have to run faster than others to survive.’ I find this quote very motivating as it reminds me that as individuals in the quest for success we must continually strive to excel, pushing ourselves to outperform others in our demanding world.
I’ve always been fascinated by numbers and business, which led me to study accounting. A pivotal moment in my journey was an internship with EY in 2017. I was deeply impressed by the broad exposure, professional growth and career opportunities offered by this Big Four firm. This experience led me to an auditing role with KPMG Lower Gulf, where I spent five years as a financial auditor. While there, I worked with numerous clients from different industries and proudly became an ACCA member. Currently, I am a regional audit manager at banking group HSBC Middle East.
Accountants are fundamental to the country’s growth and development
I chose ACCA due to its global recognition and emphasis on international accounting standards like IFRS. I was attracted by the flexibility it offered in allowing candidates to study at their own pace, and the comprehensive syllabus that prepares accountants for a wide range of roles in business and finance.
Being an auditor gives me the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of people and teams. This constant interaction means that I’m always in a state of continuous learning. As a sociable person, I greatly enjoy mixing with individuals from different backgrounds and mindsets, broadening my horizons and my personal and professional growth.
I am proud to have chaired the first KPMG Lower Gulf Youth Council. The council was established in 2022 to serve as a bridge between the organisation’s youth and its leadership. As a platform for fresh ideas where young voices can be heard, it is a channel for the firm’s youth to contribute to its larger goals and prepare themselves to become future leaders. This year, I was honoured to have been recognised out of 200 UAE nationals in the firm as the Emirati Employee of the Year.
Qualified accountants have a crucial role to play in improving the economic prospects of the UAE. They can use their expertise in many areas – to develop and maintain financial transparency, attract investment, ensure compliance and contribute to strategy, for example – all of which helps to support the stable financial environment that is fundamental to the country’s growth and development.
I feel extremely proud to have received recognition from my country’s leaders
My biggest achievement so far is to have been named one of the top three Emirati talents in the private sector in the field of finance. The award was presented by the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council at the Nafis [Arabic meaning: to compete] awards in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, vice president of the UAE. I feel extremely proud to have received such recognition from my country’s leaders.
In my spare time, I love exploring new countries and experiences. I’m on a mission to make the most of life, to have stories to tell and say ‘I truly lived’. Travelling, trying new things and meeting people from different cultures are my ways of achieving that.
