Method Anatoli Kashonda
 |
Method Anatoli Kashonda |
Senior Partner, Globe Accountancy Services, Tanzania
Method Anatoli Kashonda was persuaded by his employer to pursue accountancy studies. "The ACCA qualification has a high profile in Tanzania. When I was considering my career options, accountancy was considered a rare skill. It had a competitive edge over other professions, both in terms of remuneration and employment opportunities."
Method is a member of ACCA's International Assembly, a member of the governing council and Chairman of Membership Committee of the Tanzania Association of Accountants, a member of the Technical Committee of the National Board of Accountants and Auditors in Tanzania and he participated in the consultation for issuing, updating and enforcing accounting and auditing standards in Tanzania.
"I have a widely recognised accountancy qualification, which has enabled me to take part in developing the profession in my country. I obtain a real benefit from ACCA's worldwide network, including regular updates on developments in the accountancy profession," he says
Method started his career in 1971 with Williamson Diamonds Ltd in North Tanzania as assistant chief accountant, rising to chief accountant and finally director of finance in 1981. In 1982 Method joined Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) as chief financial officer. "This is without a doubt the most memorable point in my career. I was immediately faced with the challenge of sorting out a huge backlog of accounting arrears in the organisation," he says.
Method has experienced many significant developments in the accounting profession since qualification, including the founding of the National Board of Accountants and Auditors in Tanzania in 1972, and the Tanzania Association of Accountants in 1983. After twenty-five years in commerce, Method now works in public practice in his home country of Tanzania. He is a senior partner of Globe Accountancy Services.
"I would like to see the accountancy profession getting more involved in business development and financial engineering of companies. The number crunching and bean counting image of the accountant is fast losing relevance.
"A modern finance professional should possess sufficient knowledge about how businesses operate and develop good communications skills in order to deliver appropriate financial services," he says.