My career has been a bit of a rollercoaster, as I have worked with three of the Big Four in quite a short space of time. I started my professional life working part-time with a small accounting firm in Port Louis while still an undergraduate, then joined Deloitte Mauritius in 2012 as an audit assistant. While there, I qualified with ACCA and later enjoyed a six-month secondment to Deloitte Luxembourg which gave me great exposure to the profession, and life, on a different continent. I left Deloitte in 2018 as an audit manager and worked at KPMG for nine months before joining my current employer, EY, in 2019.
It was my love of maths that inspired me to become an accountant. Working with numbers and analysing big data gives me enormous satisfaction, and two of my three older sisters work for Big Four firms, so I saw first-hand the great opportunities that accounting offers. I also had the unconditional support of both my parents and husband who have helped me on my career path.
We need to encourage young people to develop their entrepreneurial skills
I decided to do an MBA to gain entrepreneurial skills and career advancement. I also was keen to develop my people management skills and adjust better to change, which is a constant.
Working in audit for a Big Four firm has many advantages. It keeps me up to date with accounting and auditing standards and industry practices, and offers rich exposure. I have gained experience in managing clients from local and offshore companies, in large conglomerates, manufacturing, insurance, retail, seafood and asset management. My job also enables me to meet a wide array of people, build my network and incorporate the traits of industry pioneers into my own management style.
Mauritius faces a real challenge with its youth unemployment. We need to encourage young people to develop their entrepreneurial skills and start thinking outside the box. Creating more local businesses will reduce unemployment and lower the dependency on imports, as well as support the Mauritian rupee. Some companies are already providing relevant paid training courses, a practice that many others can adopt to further attract young people.
Mauritius also has great opportunities within its developing tourism sector. There is also a thriving financial sector, so young people should be encouraged to join audit firms, banks and consultancies, and also the developing IT sector.
I count my son as my biggest achievement, alongside attaining my ACCA qualification. I have trained and mentored junior members, in the process earning the appreciation and respect of my team members, which is something I cherish.
I would see that each region has sufficient green space and that more trees are planted
If I had law-making powers, I would make climate change a top priority as Mauritius is seeing more cyclones and flash floods. There is also considerable growth and construction in the real estate sector, resulting in wetlands and trees being eliminated. I would see that each region has sufficient green space and that more trees are planted.
If I weren’t an accountant, I would have loved to be a fashion designer. My vision would be to create an exquisite brand for elite Indian wear. Alternatively, I would open a dance academy and perform stage shows.
I enjoy spending time with my son when I am not at work. We do a lot of goofy stuff together. I also love travelling and exploring new places, and learning about different regions. I also enjoy my crafting projects, where I use resin to create colourful keychains, charms and canvases. I also love to dance and have recently enrolled myself for Bollywood dancing classes.
