My father is an accountant, so the seeds were planted when I was a young child, often spending evenings at his office. However, my inspiration actually came from my first accounting teacher in secondary school. And with their combined encouragement I went on to study accounting at tertiary and university levels, and subsequently gained my ACCA qualification.
Working in a senior role for an audit firm has forced me to step out of my comfort zone on many occasions. I am reserved by nature, so leading various teams, as well as presenting to and collaborating with management and clients challenges me and allows me to continuously develop my interpersonal skills.
Grenada is a small tri-island state in the Caribbean with a rich cultural heritage, warm, friendly people and beautiful, white sand beaches. We are heavily reliant on our tourism and agriculture industries, and a challenge we face is the limited access to finance. Grenada, as a developing country, also has opportunities across a wide a variety of industries, making our island the perfect place for investment prospects.
Every day is an opportunity to push myself, learn something new and develop skills
I enjoy being challenged and I like to learn, and this is why I thrive in my job. At work I am exposed to every industry and every area of audit. I am at a stage in my career where I am the team lead for some of our largest clients, so every day is an opportunity to push myself, learn something new and develop skills. Another benefit is that I often get to travel.
My favourite mantra is this old Caribbean saying: ‘Small axe does cut down big trees.’ It is a simple reminder that, with effort, determination and persistence, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve your dreams; you just need to take things one step at a time and each day as it comes.
While I enjoy audit greatly, I would love to gain the financial perspective from the other side of businesses. I believe that my experience and knowledge, especially backed by my ACCA qualification, can lead me anywhere. In the future, perhaps I will find my place in the corporate world or the public sector, or maybe my journey will lead me back home to audit.
Knowing your history and understanding the way society functions is an asset
If I had law-making powers, I would address maternal and parental leave, as well as childcare and provision for the elderly in Grenada. I think that, before we can successfully tackle growth in our businesses and the economy, we must first see to the basic needs and rights of our country’s greatest asset: its people. On a lighter note, I would also implement a four-day work week or have at least two public holidays every month.
If I wasn’t working as an accountant, I think I would be a historian or a sociologist. Human society and social behaviour have always intrigued me, both in the past and the present. I also think that knowing your history and understanding the way society functions is an asset no matter what profession you are in.
In contrast to my professional life, I am really a creative person at heart. Outside work, I enjoy reading, pursuing different creative activities, and experiencing the world through travel and food.
