6 things I learned from my career as a CA: Masud Khan 

Being a chartered accountant is by no means easy. It is one of the highly competitive fields in the corporate arena, requiring an exceptional level of hard work, dedication and focus. Those who earn the title are like battle-hardened warriors, having endured rigorous academic and training challenges along the way. Masud Khan is one such accomplished professional. 

40 years of experience both at home and abroad

With an extensive career in the corporate field, he is now appointed as the Chairman of Unilever Consumer Care Ltd. 

Khan was born in  Chattogram but was brought up in India. He was rather curious at an early age and always eager to learn something new. Being one of the top students during the Senior Cambridge Exams, he was awarded a scholarship from the Government of India, going into college.

During his time, chartered accountancy was exceptionally tough to crack. If there were 100 people enrolled in the course, only about two would come out successful.  Khan aimed to be one of those two people who succeeded and he did. He was awarded the Merit Scholarship by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) as he came out on top of everyone else.

After that, he never really had to look back. Khan went on to work for big names like BAT and Lafarge, where he received constant top ratings for his extraordinary performance. He is also a teacher, still teaching at the Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh. Not to mention that he is also considered a top-notch teacher. Talk about an all-rounder.

Perseverance and hard work are a must

Though it may sound cliché, Khan emphasises the importance of hard work paired with perseverance, "The first thing anyone aiming to succeed in chartered accountancy—or any field, really—needs is perseverance, hard work, and patience."

He added, "Nothing happens overnight, and no ladder is climbed any faster. The younger generation, often expecting instant results, must understand that patience is just as crucial as consistent hard work. Only through that combination can true success be achieved."

Mastering the craft

"Whatever you do, do it well" is his second principle, where he stresses the importance of mastering one's job.

"If you want to succeed in your career, you must truly understand what you're doing and do it well," he explained. "When we interview candidates, they often give the right answers. The issue is that their responses are not based on personal experience but on what they've seen others do or heard about."

He continued, "That might help you land the job and get started, but it won't be effective in the long run. To build a sustainable career, you need to fully understand your role and internalise it as thoroughly as possible."

Active contribution to the job

Khan places significant emphasis on actively contributing to one's job. While this idea may seem unfamiliar to some, it aligns closely with the concept of truly understanding your role. 

According to him, those striving for success and a fulfilling career must be willing to contribute as much as possible to their work. Simply following instructions isn't enough; aspiring professionals should consistently seek to add value to their company or institution. By doing so, they can maximise their learning opportunities and fully realise their potential.

Every department in a corporation is interconnected; understanding these relationships is key to solving problems efficiently

Branching out to the other departments for growth

Those who are CEO materials, often have a knack for gaining experience in diverse fields. Masud Khan himself had a colourful career, having worked in different aspects of corporate, despite technically being a chartered accountant. 

He worked in the finance department at Lafarge, where he learned a crucial lesson. "Although I was primarily appointed to finance, I found that I was spending only about 20% of my time there. This motivated me to explore other areas," he shared. 

"This is essential for achieving an ideal career outcome. If we closely examine the corporate environment, we see that every department is interconnected, even as they function separately. It's important to engage with each department and understand their interrelations as thoroughly as possible. This way, when challenges arise, we can address them with ease and efficiency," he explained.

The do-it-yourself mentality

According to him, leaders are doers. "If anyone ever finds themself in a higher position, they have to start thinking that the next person can do a better job. I always say to my juniors that they have to do a better job than me because this is how one progresses and also makes my job a fruitful one because I am also learning from them in that case. Similarly, they also have to make sure that their juniors do a better job than them. This process really helps empower the people in that position and lightens my load as well," Khan said vehemently.

According to him, seeking guidance from him if someone is stuck doing something is okay, but if at all possible, he advises his subordinates not to ask him for anything until they have tried their best to solve a problem. This method worked like magic for him, as productivity increased significantly in his department.

Planning the succession 

Last but not least, succession planning is vital for creating a sustainable legacy. No one holds a position forever, and eventually, someone will take over the role previously filled by another. It's crucial that this transition occurs smoothly, placing the position in the right hands, as it will shape the future of the organisation. For this reason, succession planning is essential for teaching subordinates to be independent and helping them become well-acquainted with the company's culture.  

These timeless lessons are applicable to anyone on their journey to success in the corporate world. While there is much more to learn, these insights are invaluable, serving as stepping stones that guide everyone toward the top.