Select Page

A thriving career in taxes

A thriving career in taxes

Modern tax professionals are demonstrating that tax as a career path is dynamic and fast paced, it is not about completing forms and punching out numbers, but delivers the insights that aid businesses to make imperative decisions around strategic areas.

Easter Ndakondja (27) is an experienced local tax professional and is a perfect example to the youth that working in tax can offer you a bright future. Her childhood dream of becoming a pharmacist took the back seat the day she enrolled for her undergraduate qualification in accounting at the University of Namibia.

Her degree in accounting was followed by a two year post graduate degree which was converted to a Chartered Accountant (CA) programme at the University of Cape Town. Thereafter, she completed another three years of articles where she wrote ITC and APC. All of this essentially equates to a total of nine years in preparation to becoming a CA. Passing her final CA qualifying exams and completing her articles at Deloite has been career highlights for Easter, which set her on course to building a successful career.

Currently working as a Tax Compliance and Reporting Manager at Nedbank Namibia, Ndakondja is astounded by the rigorous opportunities that exist in her field. Ndakondja speaks about the CA field with such passion and excitement that it could position it as a dream career for any child.

“The exposure you get in the CA career is out of this world. In an Audit sphere you are afforded the opportunity to work on multinational clients, you are mentored by partners, speak to financial directors and CFOs. People trust you enough to speak about their business strategy and opportunities. Not even mentioning the global opportunities, I know a number of varsity mates that are globetrotting. The CA qualification is not only technical, it comes with pervasive skills,” she added.

With a goal to learn as much as she can and perhaps specialise in the areas of Taxation, she would also love to be more involved in other areas within Nedbank – be it within social or strategic aspects of the business. She shares that one of the reasons she moved to Nedbank was their voice as a strong advocate and influencer on environmental matters as well as their people centeredness and diversity.

Meanwhile, with the economic climate constantly changing, this is a complex discipline that provides the necessary insight, advice and guidance to navigate tax regimes taking into account the regulatory and legislative environments. She noted that a business qualification is essential in the country.

“The economy is driven by different sectors, e.g. mining, fishing and financial services and these enterprises need someone to take care of their finances. They also need to pay their taxes and this is where the tax profession comes in, ensuring businesses pay Government taxes and comply with applicable legislation,” she added.

She considers the most fulfilling part of her work the fact that tax legislation is always changing, as there are rapid developments that ensure you are always challenged.

Furthermore, the young woman said that she enjoys reading up on tax laws and finds great satisfaction in understanding banking related operations and risk management.


 

 

About The Author

Guest Contributor

A Guest Contributor is any of a number of experts who contribute articles and columns under their own respective names. They are regarded as authorities in their disciplines, and their work is usually published with limited editing only. They may also contribute to other publications. - Ed.