As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to become a chartered accountant. At the age of 18 I decided to leave Mauritius and head to the UK, where I would develop the skills that would enable me to gain a competitive edge and enter the accountancy profession. During my time in the UK I successfully completed a degree in accounting and finance at the University of Warwick.
Why did you choose to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant?
I decided I wanted to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant due to the prestige of the qualification, and because I knew it would be the key to a very fruitful career in the financial world. In particular, the ACA qualification appealed to me because of the way that it moulds you into becoming a business leader, in every aspect. I have never wanted to restrict myself to a particular sector, and with the ACA qualification, I knew I would always have a variety of career opportunities.
What is the best thing about training in your home country?
The best part of training for the ACA in my home country is that I do not miss out on the great family and social life here. You might study or work anywhere in the world, but there is nowhere else like home. In addition, the larger firms in Mauritius are closely linked to their respective global networks and as a result the work experience has been great. Overall it has been exciting to see the rapid expansion in the number of ACA students across the island since beginning my training agreement.
What key skills helped you get accepted on to your training agreement?
Whilst studying at the University of Warwick I had several roles within the Mauritian Society and worked part-time at the Student Union as a Head Steward. These roles gave me the opportunity to express myself fluently and clearly, and develop my interpersonal and time management skills. The combination of working and studying in a foreign country provided me with real-life examples of key skills that I was able to use throughout the interview process. Being involved in extracurricular activities at university enabled me to demonstrate to my employer that I am a well-rounded person.
What sorts of projects have you worked on in your job?
I have had a fantastic experience so far as an ACA student at Deloitte. I have been given responsibility from day one and my manager has always had high expectations of me, which has kept me motivated and challenged. I find the job highly rewarding because even as a trainee, I am given great credibility, and often find colleagues seeking my assistance in relation to documentation and technical issues. The great thing about my job is that I’m continually gaining invaluable experience. For example, I have played a major role in auditing listed companies in the banking and manufacturing industry, which has been hugely advantageous at this early stage in my career.
What are your future aspirations?
My aspiration for the future is to be a dynamic director leading a successful and sustainable business.
