Machaba’s position as a female CEO is unique in the industry. She speaks about the distinctiveness of her role, “I’m the very first female CEO within the profession, particularly the big four (auditing firms).”
Her appointment as CEO changed the auditing industry, with Machaba hoping it will inspire women throughout the profession, ““After my announcement, the whole market was roiling. So, it really changed the whole landscape. And for me, my appointment gives females, all of them, a beacon of hope out there.”
Machaba also talks about her journey to becoming CEO, comparing her rise to that of her male counterparts, “I had to put in a lot of effort. If my colleague, male colleague, is working once, I have to do three, four times so that at least I can prove myself.”
When asked how her role as the first woman CEO has impacted the business’ strategies, Machaba states that she’s hoping to change things, “It’s not necessarily business as usual. Because if we keep business as usual, it means that we’re not necessarily gunning for growth.”
She expands on this point, emphasising the need for inclusion, “We need to be diverse. We need to be inclusive. And it’s about nurturing that talent, identifying the potential, whether men or females, so that at least we can see the pipeline growing stronger and stronger.”
Looking to the future, the finance and auditing industries are being shaped by the introduction of artificial intelligence. Machaba talks about the impact of AI, “It does change our business model. One of the strategic areas is digitising our business. We are no exception, as long as the fourth industrial revolution is at our doorsteps, we can’t say we are PwC. We have to digitise our business.”
‘Marketplace Africa’ airs today, 10th January, at 18h45 SAST on CNN International
The show also airs at the following times:
Saturday 11th January at 18h15 SAST
Sunday 12th January at 01h00 SAST, 05h00 SAST and 09h15 SAST
Monday 13th January at 04h00 SAST and 19h45 SAST
Subscribe to our free newsletter
Stay at the forefront of financial advisory excellence with MoneyMarketing's weekly insights. As a professional adviser, you'll receive carefully curated content that enhances your practice and client relationships without cluttering your inbox. Our commitment to delivering only relevant, actionable intelligence helps you make informed decisions that drive your business forward. Join our community of leading financial professionals today and transform your practice with our complimentary newsletter—because your success is our priority.
