Accounting: A time-based profession that requires discipline

East African Portland Cement’s finance manager Rosemary Kinanu Gituma.

By Lillian Kiarie

With her career in finance and accounting spanning about 20 years at some of Kenya’s top firms, Ms Rosemary Kinanu Gituma’s humility is refreshing. She is renowned for being no-nonsense in the office, and gives off a confident demeanour as she balances on her four-inch heels.

The mother of five has embraced fashion, and loves wearing red and embellishing her look with pearls and brooches.

Why do you think your peers have dubbed you a no-nonsense leader?

(Laughs) I believe it is because I am firm but fair, operate with high integrity and I am highly committed; I thrive best under complexity. I push for attention to detail and a holistic business view. This may make some uncomfortable, thus the moniker.

How do you describe yourself?

As a mother of five and an accountant by profession. For the last 14 years, I have been serving at the East African Portland Cement Company Ltd, where I have held positions such as acting head of financial management, internal audit manager and board director at EAPCC (Uganda) Ltd.

You’ve held several other management positions, right?

I worked with Numerical Machining Complex Ltd as the finance and administration manager before I moved to EAPCC. I also worked at Care Kenya as a financial consultant, and at Nairobi Bottlers as the treasury and operations accountant for about two years.

I have also served as vice-chairman at the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) Council, where I took office in August last year, and I am on the management committee of the Association of Women Accountants of Kenya (AWAK).

In the early years of my career, I worked at Kenya Airways as a management trainee and budget accountant after working at Deloitte, where I was an audit trainee.

What is your educational background?

I have an MBA (accounting and finance) and a bachelor of commerce degree (accounting option), both from the University of Nairobi.

I am currently expanding my knowledge with a PhD in Switzerland, which was inspired by an advanced management programme I undertook at Strathmore Business School.

What is your management style?

I strongly believe in teamwork. In accounting, one has to be time-based, so to beat deadlines and ensure the quality of work done is high, I want to help out with assignments and influence results.

You are very passionate about the accounting profession, why?

Unlike what it is depicted to be, accounting is a profession that can steer growth and impact different strategic spheres. Accountants are trained in all disciplines and I believe that if they are given the right recognition, they can facilitate driving the national agenda.

What are your weaknesses?

I am a workaholic. I feel the pressure to accomplish things, so I ensure I work until I complete all assignments.

So how do you find time for family?

I am an early riser — I’m up by 4.30am even if I sleep late due to deadlines. I have also mastered the art of discipline and plan my day’s activities. I get the strength to strike a balance between work and family from God who has given me great devotion and patience.

What inspires you?

I am the first born in a family of 11. Since I was a young girl in Mwichiune Lowerchure Primary School, I have wanted the best for myself and for my loved ones. I worked hard and knocked on doors until I got opportunities; I want to set a good example for my siblings.

My determination saw me become the first person to join university in my village, and I was also the best-performing student in the first year of my BCom studies.

I now use the knowledge I have gained through my years of experience to impact society.

What do you do when you are not working?

I am a member of the Karen Country Club and Parklands Sports Club and enjoy networking, travelling, reading and socialising. 

Your advice to the youth?

Follow your dreams, exercise humility, be resilient, have respect for others even if they are your career rivals, and maintain a high level of maturity.

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