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Part IV – Young Chartered Accountants (CAs) – Beware: The dangers of “pretending not to see”

After delivering the 18th Nelson Mandela lecture, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was asked whether rich people were interested in the equitable distribution of global wealth. He said: “I do not trust necessarily the generosity of people. I trust the enlightened self-interest.” This simple but profound message made me reflect on our profession’s current state.Continue reading "Part IV – Young Chartered Accountants (CAs) – Beware: The dangers of “pretending not to see”"

Young CAs – Should the accountancy profession embrace Comprehensive Regulation?

Imagine a crew about to make a blockbuster movie. Who’d be in the team? There would be people of different skills such as main actors, supporting cast, the producer, the director, cameramen, costume designers, special effects specialists, personal assistants, screenwriters etc. Why am I talking about the making of movies? Because it made me thinkContinue reading "Young CAs – Should the accountancy profession embrace Comprehensive Regulation?"

Ethics Part III.2 – But where did this moral degeneration come from?

“Life is filled with grey areas. Our principles, however, must always be black and white. Let's apply black and white principles to the grey areas. We’ll be in trouble if we apply grey principles to grey areas.” My young brother uttered these words during one of our discussions and they were immediately etched in myContinue reading "Ethics Part III.2 – But where did this moral degeneration come from?"

Ethics Part III.1 – But where did this moral degeneration come from?

Moral degeneration! Two words used a lot in recent times.  Then they’re followed by the million-dollar question: Where did this moral degeneration come from? This question is mainly asked over and over again when people try to make sense of social problems. More crucially, this question has come up at events organised to dissect theContinue reading "Ethics Part III.1 – But where did this moral degeneration come from?"

Part II – Life changing lessons: Starting with the man in the mirror

It’s the morning of August 30, 2008 – A Saturday.  I am standing in front of my full body length mirror. I have stood in front of this mirror many times. Today though, is different. I am unhappy. It is important for me to note this as I have not been unhappy since I movedContinue reading "Part II – Life changing lessons: Starting with the man in the mirror"

Part I – The Story / Experience

One Friday morning our division supervisor informed me that I had been allocated to assist an audit team in completing their work. This temporary assignment was to start the next Monday. At that time, I worked in the department that was responsible for maintaining accounting records for, mainly, small businesses and trusts and estates. IContinue reading "Part I – The Story / Experience"

Ethics Series – Is it time to “start with the man in the mirror” – so to speak?

“Pretending not to know” Was the title of a talk given by Linda Marie Miller during the Toastmasters 2020 World Championship of Public Speaking. In her talk Miller, a white woman, talks about “privilege.” In it, she narrates how the story of the death of her black friend’s ‘amazing’ child made her reflect on herContinue reading "Ethics Series – Is it time to “start with the man in the mirror” – so to speak?"