Chartered Accountants were the first accountants to form a professional accounting body, initially established in Scotland in 1854. The Edinburgh Society of Accountants (1854), the Glasgow Institute of Accountants and Actuaries (1854), and the Aberdeen Society of Accountants (1867) were each granted a royal charter almost from their inception.
Women could become Chartered Accountants only following the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919, after which, in 1920, Ms. Mary Harris Smith was recognized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and became the first woman Chartered Accountant in the world.
However, the women Chartered Accountancy profession in Bangladesh has reached a milestone as well. I am delighted to pronounce that the seed for the feat was planted in 1985 when Ms. Suraiya Zannath started working with SF Ahmed & Co. in Dhaka after graduating from Chittagong Commerce College. However, she knew very little about the profession where men completely dominate.
Her path was not easy! Even the firm arranged a separate room for Ms. Zannath and took trouble deciding where she would be sent to conduct audits. During her course, she got married and became a mother. But her efforts finally paid off, and she became Bangladesh’s first female qualified Chartered Accountant in 1989. She now serves as Lead Financial Management Specialist – Governance Global Practice, South Asia Region of World Bank. Hence, this edition is dedicated to Ms. Zannath, who shared her journey from a negative classroom experience to becoming the country’s first female CA. Don’t miss our exclusive interview with Ms. Suraiya Zannath.
Read the lovely interview of Ms. Farhana Preeti, DGM & Head of Business Development of Shajgoj Limited, and discover her glorious career. We are also delighted to introduce Mr. Anirban Aditya, who took over the charge of Aditya Group at the age of 22.
This edition also introduces Md Touhidur Rahman Rad, Chief Business Officer of Walton Digi-Tech Industries Ltd. & Mr. Tashfeen Ahmad, Marketing Communications Executive, Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden.
Happy Durga Puja! I hope this Durga Puja is full of fun and beautiful moments for you.
Happy reading!
To read more Editorials, Please Click Here!
