In these turbulent times, Malawian businesses face many challenges. Ever increasing interest and inflation rates, inadequate foreign currency reserves, corruption and the general difficulty of doing business combine to make the environment more demanding than ever. We also have inadequate business protection policies and poor incentives for local producers.
Some of my clients complain that it is hard to compete against imported products; however, they are working around these problems by cost reduction, changing their supply chain and outsourcing some core functions. In addition, by using business technologies Malawian companies are gradually becoming more competitive.
What I enjoy most about my work is the variety of experiences you can gain in public practice. I like the mental challenges and the satisfaction you get when you provide a solution to a client’s problem.
Writing helps me express myself and reach a wider audience
It was my dad who inspired me to become an accountant. Very little career information was available to me and I was a little unsure of myself so he played a key role in enlightening me and emboldening me to go for the best option for me. Having studied the general business course at the University of Malawi and taken an accounting degree, I was offered a job at PwC as an audit associate in Blantyre, where I was quickly promoted.
In 2009 I was deployed to PwC’s New York office under the firm’s global mobility programme. I stayed in the US for two years, working on alternative investment funds and hedge funds. I realised I had a lot to contribute and could add value wherever I was in the world. It was also a great networking opportunity.
On my return to Malawi, I was asked to lead a satellite office in Lilongwe. Leadership did not come naturally to me, but I made a significant investment of time and money to develop my skills. The investment was worth it: within three years I had grown the office from five to 35 professionals. I learned a great lesson from this, which was always to accept the challenges put before me and give them my very best.
Subsequently, when PwC sold its Malawi business to Audit Consult, a member firm of RSM International, I was fortunate to be retained, becoming a partner and head of assurance.
I stepped out of my comfort zone when I was asked to manage a business process re-engineering project manager for our client, the Reserve Bank of Malawi. I had to wear the hat of a consultant, leading a team of experienced experts from Malawi, Zimbabwe and India. The experience taught me how to leverage the competencies of others and coordinate a diverse team.
Our current education system does not foster an enterprising mindset
My greatest achievement is serving as the president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi since 2021 – a most humbling experience. Two key tenets are the focus of my tenure: developing a strong ethical and regulatory environment and increasing stakeholder collaboration. The profession in Malawi continues to grapple with indiscipline and malpractice, resulting in poor stewardship and governance, and ultimately in slowed economic progress, but we are making significant progress.
I have also published a number of business books; Taxation in Malawi is now the recommended text for Malawian universities. Writing helps me express myself and reach a wider audience. I am currently working on a new book and regularly share my leadership insights on Facebook and LinkedIn.
If I had law-making powers, I would focus on developing local business. Our education system does not foster an enterprising mindset; we are more comfortable just working rather than taking risks and producing anything of real value.
If I weren’t an accountant, I would have been a lawyer. I have always been fascinated by the wit of lawyers and believe in the concept of justice for everyone, especially the most disadvantaged.
In my spare time I like to watch movies, read good books, play football and PlayStation with my son, and walk our dogs. I also volunteer with youth and professional organisations, including the Global Leadership Network, an organisation that aims to inspire leaders and equip them to transform the world for the better.
