Broad expertise contributed to book
IN a great demonstration of many hands making work life, the ICAZ Centennial Book called on the knowledge of various experts in their fields to contribute to the writing of the book to ensure that the final product was rich and credible.
ese experts were a mix of senior chartered accountants who narrated their journeys with the Institute, a retired professor in economic history with a keen and long-standing interest in the activities and operations of the Institute, and professionals in marketing, human resource management and gender issues who could speak from an outsider’s point of view.
Mr. Nyasha Zhou, the ICAZ Book Project Champion and author of the Book said that he employed this method of writing deliberately to ensure that the contents of the book had as much integrity as possible. He believes that including perspectives from non-Institute members ensured the integrity of the findings.
e Introduction of the book was written by Mrs. Dudu Shinya, a chartered accountant who was also the sitting president at the time of the writing of the book. Past president, first black president and member of the Institute for over 40 years, Mr. Ngoni Kudenga wrote the Foreword, while Mr. Zhou wrote the first chapter which introduced the concept of heritage and its importance. Chapter two is a historical narrative given form the perspectives of four contributors, each focusing on a specific period of the ICAZ’s 100 life.
Professor Ray Roberts, a retired University of Zimbabwe profession of economic history dwelt on the period from 1918 to 1930, an exercise that saw him travelling to South Africa to find information on the early life of the Institute. Mr. Chris Halse (Senior chartered accountant) continues the journey from there (1930- 1960s), exploring the growth of the Institute and focussing on the life of a member of the Institute through the experience of a gentleman called Potts.
Mr. Elton Mangoma (Senior member and Past President) shares experiences from the transitional period from the 1960s to the 1990s.
e chapter is capped by the experiences of Mr. Bryan orn - a chartered accountant, trainer, examiner and past president – from 1970 to 2018.
ese narratives are followed by a detailed study of ICAZ as a brand by Dr. Douglas Mamvura, a Marketing strategy and brand expert. He offers a context within which to assess whether the Institute can be perceived as a brand or not.
Mr. Anesu Daka, a chartered accountant and professional trainer who founded the Chartered Accounting Academy shares the details of the training of a chartered accounting, explaining the different starting point possible and the routes and examinations to completion and certification.
Dr. Matthews Kunaka (chartered accountant, Past President and former CEO) then speaks of the achievers and their recognition over the years.
Human Capital development expert and consultant, Mr. Memory Nguwi then ventures into an exploration of whether the chartered accountant if fit for purpose. He offers comparisons with other professions and discusses differences and their significance.
Mrs. Sitshengisiwe Ndlovu, a women’s advancement advocate and businesswoman, undertakes a detailed study of the woman accountant in Chapter eight - interrogating the integrity of the Institute in promoting gender equity within the profession.
is is an exciting chapter in which one observes the Institutes’s evolution from a closed male profession to a determined promoter of opportunities for all. Mr. Zhou then maps the Institute’s footprint across the world, followed by Mr. Misheck Ugaro’s (economist and banker) analysis of the contribution of the profession to the economy.
e final Chapters of the book (11 and 12) are forward looking chapters, considering the learnings of the past 100 years and challenging the future generations of accountants to keep the flame of integrity alive.
Part of the wealth of the book is in this rich variety of voices that have been allowed to express themselves. It is exciting to travel through the eyes of each contributor and recognise events, beliefs, activities and developments from the general Zimbabwean narrative which make it an authentic Zimbabwean story.