Name: Shonalee Munroe
Industry position: Vice president of operations.
Education and training: CPA; successfully completed series 6 and 7 examinations as well as STEP diploma.
Career: Investment fund services.
What attracted you to the sector?
I got my first real look into the working of the industry while I was employed at Deloitte and Touche Nassau and seconded to the Securities Commission of The Bahamas. As the lead for the inspection department, I had an opportunity to translate my audit and consulting skills into a real time application of the Investment Funds Act and Regulation and how they impact businesses and how they were constructed to help control the face the industry would put on our country. I saw that financial services was a good match for me from a learning perspective and to become an ambassador of my country, as I offer quality services to the world.
How long have you been involved in financial services? What keeps you motivated?
With my audit training, I have worked in financial services for over 15 years. Working in the offshore industry, and as a Bahamian, I am proud when clients connect with my company and feel that their business needs are secure with us. No doubt we operate in a very global economy, and the fact that investors and investment managers still hold significant confidence in us is a great accomplishment. I am motivated to keep The Bahamas at the forefront of their minds as a premium alternative among offshore centers. I am also cognizant that it is not just a matter of talking the talk, but creating regulatory and productive ingenuity to keep us on the cutting edge.
Why do you think you have been successful?
My parents would often say to me and my siblings that failure was not an option. While that may seem like a lot of pressure...it wasn't, but in fact it became a benchmark for everything we aimed to do in life - academically, socially or spiritually. It was a motivation to believe in ourselves, regardless of the obstacles. I think I could say that my drive for success is coined by three brief principles: faith in God, fairness and integrity. I would also have to add the old adage that it takes a village.
Did mentoring play a part in your success?
Undoubtedly, and I couldn't have asked for a better start than working with the partners and team at Deloitte & Touche. I was blessed with challenging opportunities almost from day one. Since leaving Deloitte, I have worked with very good team members but have been guided in my career by my company's Managing Director Antoine Bastian, who has established our company's culture to be one of mentorship and learning. I'm very proud to be a part of this team.
What qualifications do you feel are the most useful in helping you perform in the sector?
I think of accounting as the global degree. With it, and for me working in the audit field, I can see how it provided the opportunity of insight into many different industries so that I was better able to determine what would best suit me. From the CEO to an entrepreneur, the skills I would have acquired would help anyone in business to succeed. It gives the opportunity to participate in other aspects of business outside of accounting, such as law and corporate matters, banking and administration.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career and or industry? How did you overcome it?
I think that the biggest challenge is work-life balance. As a woman, particularly, it is difficult sometimes to draw the lines. Again, I have been blessed to work in establishments that understand this challenge and offer considerable support to female employees. Having a supportive family would be the balance to that equation. That said, I think that if you are prepared to work hard, be fair and demonstrate commitment to your career, the opportunities for success will still follow.
What advice would you give young people just starting out in the industry?
I would advise young persons considering a career in business/accounting/financial services to be diligent. One step at a time is my philosophy. Don't be anxious about where the journey will lead you, but enjoy the ride and ensure that whenever you change jobs or even engagements, your counterparts will reflect upon you as a person they would always choose to have on the team. I would say be a person of integrity; build professional reputations based on honesty and trust. Don't be afraid to teach those around you. Sure they will know more, but you'll also become more confident in what you know and it will inspire you to grow!
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