Movers and Shakers
Overcoming the challenges that came with passing her chartered tax adviser (CTA) and board examination has allowed Milka Haiyambo to succeed by qualifying as a chartered accountant.Haiyambo joined Old Mutual's corporate segment in February 2023 as a fund accountant. Her role includes various tasks such as Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) reporting, cash-flow assessments, acting on investment and disinvestment instructions, and many more.
She obtained a chartered accountant degree from the University of Namibia (Unam) and obtained her CTA from Northwest University. She then qualified as chartered accountant in 2023 and managed to sign off her articles at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
“During my audit articles, I had exposure to various industries such as pension fund sectors, insurance, telecommunications, listed companies and the banking industry as well,” she said.
Haiyambo looks forward to gaining an understanding of how the Old Mutual Group works as a whole and the various departments that make up the group. She also aims to gain a deeper understanding of the products offered to the market. Additionally, she looks forward to networking, collaborating and learning from colleagues in central finance.
Why finance?
The young professional said she chose this career because she is a naturally inquisitive person whose diverse range of technical skills and knowledge will be beneficial in the role. “I enjoy developing myself, and because continuous learning is a vital part of working in central finance, there is a lot of growth opportunities which allow me to gain a deeper understanding of the business,” she said.
In her role, Haiyambo enjoys collaborating with team members, learning from them and teaching them as well. She enjoys resolving client inquiries, ensuring client satisfaction as well as solving complex problems.
Observing continuous improvement in her work and receiving positive feedback from her sub-ordinates and colleagues allows her to measure success and progress in her work.
Sharing advice for those striving to one day work in finance, Haiyambo said: “Your dreams and aspirations are valid and the sky is the limit. Put in the work and consistently show-up for yourself - one day you will realise the dreams you have.”
Career lessons
I have learnt:
1. To deal with/handle pressure.
2. To work with unsatisfied clients.
3. How to accept and apply constructive criticism.
4. To manage expectations, meet tight deadlines and deliver accordingly.
5. To find solutions to complex problems.