Minor setback to a major comeback

Shirleen De Wee’s path to becoming a chartered accountant (CA) was marked by challenges that shaped her into who she is today.

As an auditor and the manager of the audit department at PwC Namibia, her role involves ensuring that organisations adhere to financial regulations and standards, a responsibility she describes as the "mechanics of the financial industry".

De Wee began her studies at the University of Namibia (Unam), where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting, specifically the CA stream, in 2015. With aspirations of advancing her career, she pursued an honours degree (known as CTA as the time) in accounting at Potchefstroom in South Africa in 2016.

However, this phase of her journey presented hurdles, and she did not pass the course. In 2017, De Wee went on a training programme at PwC Namibia. Despite her previous setbacks, she remained undeterred and returned to her studies.

Yet again, she faced difficulties and failed to pass in 2018 when she attempted CTA through the University of South Africa (Unisa). It was through multiple attempts that she finally succeeded in passing a bridging course in 2021. The following year, she went on to pass her CTA through Milpark Education.

“After what felt like a lifetime of tries, passing my CTA in December 2022 was a breakthrough moment for me,” she reflected.

She did not stop there as the CA designation was around the corner, and in January 2023, she wrote and passed her first board exams (ITC) and again went on to pass her second board exams (APC) that December.

In a nutshell, becoming a CA requires the following: A bachelor’s degree in accounting (CA specific), a postgraduate diploma in accounting (PGDA, formerly known as CTA), articles or traineeship, ITC and then APC.

“After 11 years - for a journey that should only have taken seven - all the sweat, tears and fights have paid off,” she said. Her position at PwC, which she feels has activated her passion and linked it to her profession, is her true calling, she said.

Reflecting on the way there, De Wee emphasised the importance of practical experience gained through training programmes.

“Even though I had to study excessively, the practical experience I gained through my training programme helped me see that even though there is a list of skills required to make a successful career as a CA, most skills can be taught and developed over time,” she said.

Her advice to aspiring CAs underscores the value of attitude in professional success.

“As long as you have a humble and teachable attitude, you can make a success out of anything you put your mind to,” she said.

"Always remember it is possible, merely because there are CAs in this world! A failure is not the end of the road, merely a setup for a great comeback!"