C A R E E R I DE AS
COUNTING ON YOUR FUTURE Accounting Sciences Degree (3 years) and my Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy (1 year). For the professional training, I trained at a medium-sized audit firm, as an external auditor for 3 years.
ZANELE MADUNA CA(SA) SENIOR FUND ACCOUNTANT BNP PARIBAS, JERSEY CI
IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? You need to have an analytical mind! Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, during training you will learn to communicate effectively and efficiently.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? After the introduction to the profession, I did my research, took a psychometric test and found it to be a great match – and also due to a greater chance of securing employment post qualification.
EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING? The chartered accountancy profession is designed in a way that grants you the opportunity to gain formal training before you qualify, which also counts as experience post qualification.
WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? For the technical training part, I completed my Bachelor of
DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY 09:00-09:30 – Read emails and prepare for the day; 09:30-10:00 – Attend a team meeting; 10:00-
12:00 – Prepare the financial statements of the funds that are listed on the London Stock Exchange; 12:00-13:00 – Lunch; 13:00-15:00 – Review and authorise payments; 15:00-16:00 – Meet with the board of directors; 16:00-17:00 – Respond to emails from external auditors.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? Seeing my hard work (financial statements) published on the London Stock Exchange for worldwide stakeholders to make decisions. ANY DISLIKES? When the tasks I do become repetitive. When this happens, I ask for a new challenge. WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? The opportunity to work internationally: I have been an external auditor in Dublin, Ireland, and I am currently a senior fund accountant in Jersey, Channel Islands.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? I’d like to continue being beneficial to society – as a chartered accountant, I am a business leader and a responsible, ethical citizen. I also have my coaching and mentoring venture that I run after 5pm and over the weekends. My goal is to expand my coaching and mentoring venture and help more varsity students and young professionals with selfleadership, peak academic performance and futureproofing their careers. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER? It can and will be challenging, however, in the words of Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you are right.” DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Challenging, engaging, empowering
ANCHORS AWAY
ABDUL QADER HENDRICKS NAVIGATION CADET OFFICER SEASPAN SHIP MANAGEMENT
WHY NAVIGATION? From a young age I had a love for aviation and US Navy fighter jets and aircraft carriers. Back then I wanted to pursue a career in aviation or navigation, specifically on an aircraft carrier. I learnt more about these career paths through my own research, and ultimately decided to enroll myself at a school where I would do two extra subjects to do with the maritime industry as a Grade 10 learner.
WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I had the advantage of obtaining a bursary from Transnet National Ports Authority to attend school at Simon’s Town High, where I did two extra subjects (Nautical Science and Maritime Economics), which included practical training and training voyages on ships. After I matriculated, I completed one year of my National Diploma in Maritime Studies at CPUT. The second year is required in order to graduate and to become a Chief Navigating Officer or Master Mariner. After first-year, I joined a company to complete my practical sea experience (minimum 12 months). I am currently busy doing my practical at a Canadian-based company called Seaspan Ship Management, and will then write the Deck Officer of the Watch unlimited examination, which will enable me to sail as a Third Navigating Officer onboard ships trading worldwide. I have also completed various STCW courses
and other training at Samtra during the past year or so.
WHAT PERSONALITY IS BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? It’s definitely not for the fainthearted! You should be a strongwilled person who knows what responsibility means, is able to make important decisions and can remain calm under pressure. EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING? I believe that experience is one of the most important aspects. Most of your knowledge is gained during your practical time at sea and what you learn practically tends to stay in your memory. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY Your primary duties are to keep navigational watches. The watches are divided between Chief, Second and Third Navigating officers, each shift consisting of eight hours per day. As a Third Navigating Officer, I would be in charge of watches (08:00 - 12:00, and 20:00 -
midnight). Other additional responsibilities include the maintenance of life-saving and fire-fighting equipment.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST? I love travelling around the world visiting major cities and meeting people from diverse cultures. YOUR DISLIKES? Spending time away from home. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS? The adrenaline rush that I get when navigating the world’s oceans in traffic-congested waters. YOUR FUTURE GOALS? To further my navigation career and to obtain my Class 1 unlimited license (Master Mariner). I would love to work ashore as a Ship Surveyor or Marine Harbour Pilot.
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