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Donat Mashiku

Head of Finance and Operations, Tanzania Investment Bank, Tanzania

Donat Mashiku remembers well the day when he was appointed director of planning and finance at the Board of Internal Trade (BIT). Thirty other qualified accountants within the company had applied for the job, but he outshone the other candidates. "Without a doubt, it's the most memorable point in my career. I firmly believe that having the ACCA qualification helped me get that job, and ultimately where I am today."

Donat started his ACCA studies in 1971 at Strathmore College in Nairobi, Kenya. He studied there for two years before moving to London, UK to complete his studies. After qualification, Donat returned to Africa and spent the first ten years of his career at NIC as head office accountant.

"In 1980, I was appointed the position of chief accountant at the Board of International Trade (BIT), a controlling body of 30 companies. I was responsible for giving advice to all companies on all matters relating to finance, and producing the annual performance review which critically examined the economic climate in which the group companies operated."

In 1989, he moved to Tanzania Investment Bank where he worked in a variety of positions. He obtained his current role of head of finance and operations in 2000.

"Since I qualified, the role of the accountant has changed. The accountant is now an integral part of the core management team, an important and reliable financial adviser and a professional who cuts across various disciplines. He is not just a bookkeeper.

"In the future I predict this change will progress further. The finance profession will merge with other professions such as IT and general management, to create an integrated business function."