Kashmala Rahim

I attribute my success to my parents' hard work and the motivation I received from my family. It has definitely been my own hard work throughout the way as well, starting from where I began with my education and then when I started working with PwC Pakistan. It's been a long, hard-working ride for me. I think it's definitely the hard work and commitment to achieve something that has gotten me to where I am today. Having that drive and dedication, combined with the support of my family, has been essential to my professional journey.

The best career advice I've received is to never hesitate to ask questions and to never stop learning. Even when you know your work, don't stop asking for opportunities. If you see an opportunity, grab it. Another important piece of advice is that you need to be more extroverted and a people person. What I've seen working in firms is that people just keep to themselves, but if you have good relations with people around you, with your clients, and within your teams, that will take you far in your career. Building those relationships and being willing to put yourself out there makes a significant difference.

My advice to women entering finance and accounting is the same guidance I've followed throughout my career. Don't hesitate to stand for what you believe in. Don't fear raising your voice just because you're a woman, even though sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming. Definitely be confident in what you're doing. Don't stop learning, and just believe in yourself. When you know that you're able to achieve something, you're already halfway there. It's about having that confidence and not letting anything hold you back from pursuing your goals in this field.

I see vast opportunities for people working in finance. We have finance in every company and every field of work, so if a person is willing to learn, they can work in accounting anywhere or in finance itself. There are a lot of learning opportunities. You can start at zero, and if you're dedicated and hardworking, you can go up as much as you're willing to give to your job. As for challenges, sometimes it gets too tireless because you're working too hard, and it gets difficult to manage work and life balance in some cases. For example, if you're working in a public accounting firm, it gets difficult to manage your personal life with the work. Even during the monthly close that I'm doing for a manufacturing company now, it gets difficult because you have to dedicate a week or two for that, and sometimes your personal life gets affected. But I think it comes with the field, and it would matter if you know how to manage both and you're not neglecting one thing because of another.

Professionally, the values most important to me are definitely honesty, dedication to work, and a commitment to learn. It's not just about going in and doing your job. It's more about getting involved in the work, making good relations with people, and definitely learning along the way. In my personal life, I give importance to honesty, which is very important to me. I also value how easy it is for people to come to you and share their hearts with you, being easygoing and approachable. I believe in just believing in yourself and pulling people upwards. If you're going up, it's very important for me to be supportive of the community, of the women I have around me. Charity itself is very important to me. If I have achieved something, not just with money but with knowledge or anything I can help people with, whether I can be supportive emotionally, financially, or in any way, I want to help them.