Taking on a challenge to list a small foreign-owned company on the Stock Exchange within a year was the most proud moment for the Fiji Institute of Accountants (FIA) Young Accountant of the Year.

He was awarded last night during the FIA 2018 Congress dinner at the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa on Yanuca Island. The congress was jointly sponsored by Vodafone Fiji and Westpac Banking Corporation.

Waisale Iowane 29, is the Free Bird Institute Fiji executive director and Chief Financial officer who has attributed his achievements to the upbringing of his parents.

He hails from Naila village, Bau Tailevu and is the second youngest in a family of five and is a product of Saint Thomas Primary School and Saint Thomas High School.

His parents Netani and Tima and his other siblings live in Australia.

“It’s been a long journey for me professionally as an accountant after finishing from University of the South Pacific as a graduate accountant.”

He graduated with Bachelors of Commerce with a double Major in Accounting Management.He began his career at Aliz Pacific accounting firm as a Graduate Accountant and moved to KPMG and later spent six months at Fiji Airways as a tax analyst following a restructure there.

“It was a tough competition in USP as you are trying to stand out amongst the best. For me it was always trying to be ahead of everyone and always do my work with integrity.

“It’s not impossible for a lot of people because there is a lot of green environment where conceptions were that you need to be so experienced to do something.

“For me, I don’t think that and always believe in diversity and I am happy that the board for Fiji Institute of Accountants is always supporting me.

“We have a senior management team at Freebird and they have left me to run the company as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director.

“When I came from Fiji Airways the chief executive officer told me you need to list the company on the Stock Exchange within a year.

“It’s not everyday someone asks you to list the company and I was 27-years-old then.”

Mr Iowane said many thought he could not take a small company to be listed and took it as a challenge.

“A year and three months later we were listed and are the only foreign company listed and the only one in the education sector.

“I am very proud of that and I put all that down to my upbringing as my parents always supported me throughout my education.”

About FIA

Vodafone and Westpac have supported the Congress since 1997 either individually as major sponsors or support sponsors.

The co-sponsorship between FIA, Vodafone and Westpac began in 2013.

They have assisted financially and provided administrative and logistical support.

FIA acknowledges all its support sponsors: Sun Insurance, Carpenter Motors, Kontiki Finance, CA ANZ, British American Tobacco, Marsh, Coca-Cola, Datec, Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa, Fiji Water and Pure Fiji.

Feedback: charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj