From working as an intern in a financial services organisation, Thompson Koramoa FCCA has gone on to accept greater responsibilities in a variety of junior and subsequently senior finance roles and in an impressive range of industries, including oil and gas, international non-governmental/ education and transport and distribution
For the regional finance manager at DPD Group, an international parcel delivery firm, being able to move between roles and industries is exactly what Thompson Koramoa wanted from a career in finance – something he says the ACCA Qualification, with its focus on financial and management accounting, has allowed him to do.
‘I chose ACCA for the following reasons:
In a highly competitive jobs market, completing a degree together with a professional accountancy qualification are a powerful combination of qualifications to have, which Thompson says undoubtedly put him in demand with employers and helped increase his career prospects.
‘I’d say having this on my CV has certainly generated some interest in prospective employers and opened up opportunities to secure at least first interviews,’ he says.
Furthermore, getting the right balance of qualifications and experience is key to navigating an ever-changing business environment, but one that can be just as much an opportunity as a challenge.
‘Over the past 15 years the world of business has been impacted by increasing globalisation and technological advancements for both consumers and providers of goods and services,’ says Thompson.
‘This has also created opportunities and a market for skilled professionals who are adept at harnessing these changes to deliver value for their organisations.
‘The ACCA Qualification and Oxford Brookes BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting certainly provide students with the technical, strategic, analytical, people and communication skills required to be at the forefront of successfully delivering value for their organisations in spite of these changes.’
Challenges also arise in the attaining of professional qualifications, often requiring a great deal of personal effort and the support, patience and understanding of family and friends.
‘Lot’s of hard work, support from family and friends, continuous learning and improvement and a desire to succeed regardless of the challenges is what’s required,’ says Thompson.
‘Combining work and study and also working in varied industries proved to be most challenging, usually in the first three months. However, through a combination of prioritising, being disciplined, continuous improvement and hard work, qualities the ACCA Qualification instils in all finance professionals, I was able to succeed in overcoming these challenges.’
On whether he would recommend ACCA and the Oxford Brookes degree to those beginning their careers, despite the challenges and sacrifices required, he’s fairly unequivocal: ‘Go for it! The flexibility to study while working and the resources available to you while studying are very handy and ultimately the benefits for your future career as a finance professional are immense.’
As for the future, Thompson feels he’s equipped with the necessary qualities and attributes to aim high.
‘In the long term, my ultimate goal is to lead an organisation from the top as CEO, leveraging on my finance background and training to consistently deliver successful and sustainable returns for the business. In the short to medium term, I aim to reach the top of the finance profession as a CFO.’