Name:
Rufaro Munzara, Coverage Credit Analyst

Where do you hail from/ where are you originally from (city, country)?
Harare, Zimbabwe

Where do you currently live (city/country)?
Johannesburg, South Africa

What did you study after completing high school?
B Comm Accounting and Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting

Why did you choose to study that particular course/courses?
My father’s influence. He also studied accounting.

Did you get any funding from an organisation cover your studies?
My undergrad degree was paid for 50% with a bursary from the government and my post grad was paid for 100% by PwC.

What was your first job?
Trainee Accountant at PwC in Harare, Zimbabwe

Industry you work and a brief description of the function of your industry (if Industry is too broad i.e. Banking, please describe it in the context of your specific team)
I work in an Investment Bank. The Credit analyst role involves, analysing company performance and preparing credit proposals on behalf of the coverage team (client relationship managers) and motivating, at various Credit forums, why the new facilities should be given to the client or why existing facilities should be taken away. The facilities may include foreign exchange lines; lending and derivative lines.

Are you a manager of people, if yes how many?
I am not a manager. I was in my pervious life, but I prefer not to manage people. I prefer to focus on my personal deliverables.

What is a key leadership principle you have learnt/applied over the years in managing people?
Each team member should be seen as an individual and managed as an individual. Some people need to be managed more closely, others need to be left to fly. Some need more one on one catch ups – others don’t care. You cannot apply “blanket” management. You also need to play to the strengths of the individual and grow those. Each individual is good at different things – which is a good thing in a team scenario.

Describe a typical day in your life from the time you arrive at your office? 
– Analysing financial statements and providing commentary on performance
– Understanding and commenting on business drivers
– Assessing whether the new proposed facilities can be supported by the client’s financials

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started your first job?
Sometimes when you start your first job you think that is what you will do the rest of your life perhaps. I have learnt in my travels that you can always reinvent yourself throughout your career, building on your skills as you go along. I also think its ok if you don’t know exactly what you want to do and its ok to have several different careers throughout your working life.
I have had many different roles from external audit; to consulting; to being a compliance officer, to internal audit; to lending operations and now to being a credit analyst. I have continually reinvented myself and my broad experience is richer for it. I know a lot about a lot of things.

What challenges did you find along the way to where you are now in your career and how did you overcome them? 
– Being underestimated. I am small in stature, with a small voice, people don’t tend to take you seriously initially until you speak. Sometimes race & gender has played a factor throughout my career in being initially underestimated. But I don’t mind this at all. In fact I welcome it because once people see what you can do, they realise just how competent you are.
– Not backing myself enough. This is a journey and one must constantly remind themselves that hey – I do add value.

Share your secret to success, what would you say has allowed you to stand out from your peers? 
– My work ethic. I will always strive to deliver a quality product. There are no half measures.
– Good attitude towards learning.
– Can-do attitude.
– Not being afraid to take on a task – even if I know nothing about it.
– Respect for colleagues – no matter their level.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Back yourself always and do not underestimate your abilities. Don’t be afraid to take up job opportunities even if you do not meet all the criteria – you can always learn.

What advice would you give to a young person who wants to break into your industry?
– Read about the industry and be able to articulate why you want to be in it.
– Be passionate about it otherwise there is no point.
– Find out what qualifications will put you in a better position to enter the industry and focus on that.
– Use your networks for advice and tips for succeeding in the industry.