Ladan Nasiri (left), accountant at Zayandab Consultant Engineers in Iran, tells us about her plans to promote the value of management accounting to businesses. By Camilla Berens, freelance journalist.
Ladan Nasiri has always been a self starter. At the age of 12, she knew she wanted to be a businesswoman and also developed a fascination for computers. Today she is working full time and studying for her CIMA qualification under her own steam.
Her dream is to combine her IT and management accounting skills to raise the profile of the accounting profession in Iran.
After leaving school, Ladan was admitted to university to study accounting.
'I thought it would be a good way to learn about the business world. However, by chance, there was a computer college opposite my university so I did that in my spare time,' she recalls.
Now that she's working as an accountant she's aiming to make waves.
'In Iran accountants aren't valued as much as in many other countries,' she explains. 'It's mainly engineers who run businesses. It's not really appreciated how much value management accountants can add to a business, but I'd like to change that perception.'
Appeal of IT
After leaving university, Ladan began to hone her business skills working for several state sponsored development projects before landing a job with engineering consultants Zayandab Consulting Engineers, a firm specialising in dam construction and irrigation techniques.
She is also midway through her CIMA qualification.
'A friend of my sister recommended CIMA because she knew I was interested in developing my career opportunities,' Ladan explains. 'I looked at both CIMA and at the ACCA qualification but I liked the idea of CIMA because it's more business focused. I thought it would be really useful because it's very practical. The syllabus also has a section on IT and systems analysis which really appealed to me.'
Ladan is based in Isfahan, Iran's third largest city. She works in the company's finance function and studies for several hours at home each evening. Tuition classes for the CIMA qualification are now available in Iran but the nearest centre is too far away for Ladan to reach.
'I study by myself but the CIMA tuition manuals are very clear and well structured,' she says.
The syllabus has also helped with her work in cost and contract accounting. 'CIMA has given me the skills to analyse the figures I'm working with and use this knowledge to help the company function more effectively,' she says. 'When I have a problem, CIMA helps me find a solution.'
Ladan's studies have also broadened her view of the business world. 'I have a much more international perspective now and the syllabus has opened my eyes to the dynamics of the global marketplace.'
Growing contribution
Ladan is confident that her studies will both help to develop her career and promote the virtues of management accountancy to the Iranian business sector. One of the ingredients for this may be the growing contribution women are making to business.
'The number of women accountants in Iran has increased a lot,' she says. 'When I was at university, women became the majority in the accountancy classes and I think this is a very encouraging sign.'
Ladan feels that once she has qualified, her prospects as a businesswoman in Iran are good. 'Generally, women are free to do what they want here,' she continues. 'Some women don't like to wear a head scarf and that's an issue, but we're free to do what we like: to work, to study and go out with friends.'
The development of new technology has also had a big impact on the daily lives of all Iranians.
'Everything has changed in the last ten years,' she says. 'Now everyone knows how to use computers, everyone has cell phones and the internet is becoming more important. The access to computers also means that CIMA is now available to us and we can study in virtual universities based on the other side of the world.'
CIMA is becoming more widely known in the region. The international focus of the qualification is particularly attractive to larger businesses in Iran.
'In Isfahan, CIMA is now known at the universities and business schools,' Ladan says. 'The qualification is particularly attractive to the bigger companies who are looking for accountants with a good understanding of international accounting regulations and practices.'
So where does she see herself in five years' time? 'After I have completed my CIMA qualification, I'd like to do an MBA,' she says. 'That's my ideal. I'd like to use my knowledge of computers to become an analyst and perhaps work on management information systems for the finance function and HR.' In the meantime, Ladan is busy working towards her next exams - and practising her English in her spare time.
'I love watching English movies, especially the comedies,' she says with a grin. 'They make me laugh and they help improve my English accent.'
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