FIC
the new accountant
Finance leaders of the future Critical thinking, foresight and the ability to interpret big data are necessary traits to drive sustainability.
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BY THANDO PATO
he fourth industrial revolution has begun and even accountants – people whose core skills were considered indispensable – are being affected. Globalisation and technology are changing how companies operate and CFOs are no longer just required to forecast and reconcile budgets. The Finance Indaba Conversation, ‘Get ready to be the finance leader of the future’, was sponsored by The South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA). During his brief introduction, Professor Rashied Small, executive at SAIPA, said that the role of future accountants is no longer reactionary but
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future thinking. “Critical thinking and foresight are now a requirement. Accountants need to be able to interpret big data to help solve problems and drive sustainability,” he explained. Panellist Zoliswa Mashinini, finance director: Africa and Middle East at G4S, said that the accountant of the future needs to have integrity, be an excellent communicator and a problem solver to be effective. “You need to know what you stand for and demonstrate good ethics. You need to drive internal stakeholder engagement and understand the business and you need to solve problems. CEOs are looking for CFOs who are problem solvers,” she explained.
