ISLAMABAD (January 21, 2011) – ACCA Pakistan today organised Talent Gymnasium, an exciting event that served as a unique platform for dual objectives of honing professional skills of finance and accounting trainees and bringing together ACCA’s key employers and talented trainees in Islamabad.
The Talent Gymnasium featured a perfect mix of professional skills workshops on interpersonal skills and team skills led by Sohail Zindani and Shireen Naqvi respectively. The workshops served as a tool for ACCA trainees to realise their potential to excel in their professional careers.
The workshops were followed by an intriguing discussion forum on ‘Talent Management for Generation Y’ moderated by Fasi Zaka and led by experts from private and public sectors including ICI Pakistan, Lakson Tobacco Company Limited, Coca Cola Beverages Pakistan Limited, KPMG Taseer Hadi & Co. Chartered, Packages Limited, Ernst & Young Ford Rhodes Sidat Hyder & Co. Chartered Accountants, Telenor Pakistan Pvt Limited, Auditor General of Pakistan and Askari Commercial Bank Limited. The discussion presented a wake-up call for employers of finance professionals to embrace the career aspirations of the youngest generation and offer dynamic career routes that capitalise on their finance skills, or risk losing future talent.
Speaking on the occasion Haroon A Jan, Head of Business Development ACCA Pakistan said, “The general perception about accountants is that they are skilled individuals, focused and perhaps the best in technical skills. Recent trends show that particularly in the accounting and finance function, instead of mere number crunchers, employers look for individuals with an overall understanding of the business, analytical capabilities and awareness about all dimensions of business risks. The ACCA qualification incorporates and gives equal importance to technical and professional skills as we seek to develop professionals who excel at all levels of the corporate ladder.”
Mr Jan also appreciated the sponsors of the event Askari Commercial Bank Limited for their contribution and support. The event is also scheduled to be held this month in Lahore and Karachi on 24 January and 27 January respectively.