I believe it is in mankind’s DNA to constantly seek improvement, and artificial intelligence (AI) is one of those improvements that will continue to develop in the future. The landscape will change, many tasks will have less human intervention, and analysis of information will be quicker and more accurate. AI will inevitably impact all jobs, including in finance. I conducted some AI training recently and we discussed whether Excel had made an earlier generation of accountants feel less smart, just as there was a time before that with no calculators. While job descriptions will change, AI is not a foe that will take jobs but a friend that will make life easier.
I enjoyed science when I was a young person and always believed my career would be science based, possibly in chemical engineering or a related field. However, as a teenager I developed a keen interest in accounting. Observing that CFOs with their backgrounds in accounting were at the forefront of organisations inspired me to join the profession.
We mustn’t forget that we are all humans and need to be caring and considerate
After completing my ACCA qualification in 2016, I got my first role with Deloitte. While the audit background trained, built and shaped me, it wasn’t all pleasant due to the high pressure and long hours. I then had a short spell in the mining sector before moving into insurance. I found I enjoyed the complexity that came with the job, and I am currently a financial reporting manager with insurance group Old Mutual Botswana.
I stepped out of my comfort zone when I had to implement the complex accounting standard, IFRS 17, Insurance contracts. My team and I had to compile data from years back, decide on an accounting plan, scrap it, and then go back to the drawing board. It was a learning curve where we made mistakes until we got to a point where all the key stakeholders were satisfied.
This is my favourite mantra: ‘Be good to people even when you don’t need to.’ The corporate world can bring pressure, but we mustn’t forget that we are all humans and need to be good, caring and considerate.
What I enjoy most about my job is that I am combining the things I like: accounting and insurance. I’m doing more than just number crunching as I am tackling strategy, people management, long-term planning and growth.
My notable achievements are a result of dedication, resilience and hard work
I don’t think I can point to any one thing as my biggest achievement as the position I hold will always be my biggest achievement at any point in time. I was awarded the best employee in 2023 and 2025, and I was awarded an employee stock option for being an integral part of the organisation. My notable achievements are a result of dedication, resilience and hard work. The position I hold now as a manager in one of the biggest insurance companies in Southern Africa is a result of all those late nights and the sacrifices I had to make.
If I was a magician, I would change the law globally on the legality of having military weapons of any kind. If the whole world did not have all these guns, bombs and fighter jets, there would be far fewer wars, destruction, hate and poverty. The world could then focus on more important issues.
When I am not at work, I have a lovely family whom I love spending time with. I enjoy a good game of chess, whether in person or online, and I also like going to the gym and taking part in any other sporting activity that comes my way.
