Getting to know internal auditor Abel Abel

Internal auditers are vital to organisations to provide risk management and control systems.Walter Kariko (WK) spoke to the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology’s (NCRST) head of internal audit Abel Abel (AA) about his career.

: In brief, what role do you play at the NCRST?

: My role at the NCRST is to give assurance to the board and executive management on the effectiveness of governance, risk management and control systems. This is done by assessing systems for weaknesses, and evaluating whether the processes in place are adequate for the organisation to achieve its objectives.

My roles also revolve around fraud detection and investigation, as well as other consultancy requests. I am also part of the executive management team which guides the strategic direction of the commission.

: When did you join the NCRST?

: I joined in August 2017.

: Back in time, before internal auditing, what were you doing?

AA: I started off in 2009 as a trainee accountant at SGA immediately after high school in pursuit of a chartered accountant (CA) qualification. This was an attachment opportunity to do articles while studying long-distance through the University of South Africa (Unisa) for my bachelor of accounting science degree (BCom).

After obtaining the undergraduate degree and having completed my articles, an opportunity opened up at Cymot Namibia in 2014, and I switched to internal auditing. It was during my time at Cymot that I developed a passion for internal auditing, and I was tasked to set up the internal audit function without much experience in the field.

Three years after, I then joined the NCRST as an internal audit executive.

: Tell us about your educational background.

: I matriculated from Otjiwarongo Secondary School in 2008, obtained my bachelors in accounting science in 2012 while working full-time as a trainee accountant and audit clerk. Fast-forward to 2016, I completed a postgraduate diploma in internal auditing. I am at the moment registered for the second part of the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) examination, a globally acclaimed professional designation for internal auditors.

: What did you want to become when you were growing up?

: I loved the numbers, and chartered accountancy was the thing after high school.

: Who do you regard as mentors in your career?

: Honestly, having done most of the training on my own and self-mentorship, I would consider myself my own mentor. I depend on a lot of reading sources for guidance in my career.

: What do you do in your spare time?

: Time spent at the gym, long-distance jogs and gazing in self-development books and other subject matters is time well-spent for me. I love being busy. I am a member of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s trading committee, I do various small-scale accounting and tax consultancy work, and I am also involved in politics, serving in the Swapo Party Youth League. On a very lazy day, I rest on Netflix, although I try to stay away from TV as much as possible.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.