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manager, ACCA Zimbabwe

As a child, Mike Gora dreamed of being an aeronautical engineer. There were limited opportunities for this and it was during his secondary education that he came across accountancy. 'I enjoyed accountancy so much that I soon forgot about becoming an engineer,' says Mike.

Mike first heard of ACCA when he was a student at Napier University in Edinburgh, UK. 'As a foreign student interested in going back home after my studies I liked the flexibility offered by ACCA. I could take the exams and gain practical experience at home and have a qualification that was recognised internationally,' he recalls.

As a student, Mike set up the first ACCA student society in Zimbabwe and served on it in various capacities. 'When I qualified I joined the members' committee. I was elected as president and became the International Assembly representative for Zimbabwe for three terms,' he says.

Having the ACCA qualification gave Mike 'mutual respect from colleagues and seniors and made me more attractive in the employment market. ACCA gives you a broader perspective of issues and the ability to adapt quickly to changing environments,' he says.

Mike has very broad-based experience. He was a finance director for Zimbabwean radio and television, a tax assessor and expert witness in tax evasion cases. 'I was the best overall student in the Commissioner of Taxes Higher Tax Examinations,' he says. Mike also had a stint as a property manager for Old Mutual Zimbabwe, the largest commercial and industrial property developer. 'I initially joined the corporate finance division in 1984. I rose through the ranks to become the youngest divisional manager at 30 years of age. One of the projects I handled was the decentralisation of accounting functions from Cape Town to Harare, over a three-year period. Life assurance accounting is a specialised area, dominated by actuaries. My ACCA training equipped me well for the challenges I faced.'

On leaving Old Mutual, Mike began work at ACCA Zimbabwe as its manager and training consultant for the Southern Africa region, working with employers, members and students within the region. Mike lists his challenges for the future as 'raising ACCA's profile among key decision makers.'

Mike predicts that international standard setters will become increasingly influential over regional and national bodies. This will pave the way for greater international regulation and convergence in the profession. Accountants need to act in a responsible manner and be answerable to a broader range of stakeholders. ACCA members are well placed to lead the way.'