Page 77 - KZN Top Business Women - eBook 2023

No matter what you choose to do, you need to work out

what is the legacy you want to leave behind and work towards it.

Kashnee believes that there are many people in her life focuses on change management, building capacity
Founder and Director Inspired Financial
that God has placed in her path, who have had a positive and knowledge in the public sector and offers capacity
Management Solutions
impact in her career, which she is grateful for. “My building and training workshops for government officials
foundation comes from my parents. My mom has been at no cost to strengthen their knowledge around key
ashnee Sewnarain is a qualified chartered accountant an amazing role model to me. She’s always encouraged technical issues.
who holds substantial professional experience in
K public sector financial management and capacity and believed in me that I could do anything that I put my A previous director of KZN Provincial Treasury, she has a
heart and soul into.”
building. She founded Inspired Financial Management proven track record of assisting in improving audit opinions
Solutions which employs 11 individuals, eight of whom are “My dad has been my sounding board. He’s actually my in the public sector and has been instrumental in leading
women, in a space of five years. biggest critic, which has made me stronger because he financial management reforms within the province. She
always questions my decisions and makes me consider further led the implementation of municipal systems
The company focuses on improving skills and capacity reform in KZN, which impacted on financial management
building for government organisations in budgeting, the pros and cons. He’s been an amazing support to me.” processes for municipalities.
accounting, financial statements preparation, systems Her husband has also been her biggest supporter and
implementation, and financial management. They have been had resigned from his job to support her in achieving her Level of expectations
operating for five years and have a client base comprising a goals and building the business together. She indicated
number of government organisations across the country. She that she would not be able to do what she does, without Being a business that operates in the space of government,
believes that this growth has been achieved by producing his incredible support and understanding. it has been challenging at times to be appointed to
the best quality of work for her clients, and with the utmost undertake work, based on merit. However, Kashnee
integrity and ethics as the core foundation to the business. One client at a time believes that the knowledge and skills that the company
possesses has held them strongly in this regard, whilst
Her vision is to drive positive change in the public sector one
Study accountancy being resilient in their beliefs of integrity and ethics.
client at a time. “I believe in training and capacity building
“My journey was actually surprising,” said Kashnee. “I and enabling officials to do the job right the first time. I’m Her future goal is to continue to bring change to the
really didn’t know what I wanted to study when I was not a person that would want to do the job for somebody public sector through capacity building and training.
in school. My accounting teacher suggested that I else, but rather show them how to do it themselves.” A question that Kashnee often asks her clients is: ‘What is
study accountancy, which I thought was a boring book She strongly believes in the ‘good’ in government, which is the legacy that you want to leave behind?’. Her advice to
kind of job. However, based on my parents’ insistence, I often unseen. “There are many government officials I work young women is “No matter what you choose to do, you
continued with a chartered accountancy degree.” need to work out what is the legacy you want to leave
with on a daily basis that really want to see the difference
Kashnee commenced her studies with a loan from in government.” She indicated that there is much need behind and work towards it. Give it everything you’ve got.
the bank, where repayments were required once she to maximise on this by equipping and supporting these You are never too old to study and reach your dreams.”
completed her degree. She attempted to study honours individuals to be the best that they can be.
part time whilst working and found it really difficult to Share knowledge
balance by work commitments with her studies, and Since its establishment, the company has trained Relaxing and unwinding is difficult when you run
eventually gave up on this. approximately 400 government officials to be able to a business. When Kashnee has the opportunity,
do their job better, with great success in being able to
A few years later, after much effort, Kashnee’s former boss successfully perform their functions with minimal support. she spends time relaxing on weekends. She enjoys
convinced her to return to her studies. This meant that she spending time with family and says, “I have three
needed to redo her third-year studies again, as her degree Kashnee added, “We also play a strong role in terms of beautiful dogs; they give me a lot of relaxation to take
was more than three years old, and two additional years aligning budgets to the Integrated Development Plans, my mind off things.”
of studying toward Honours (CTA), as Unisa did not offer which enhances that service delivery is achieved in In conclusion, being part of KZN Top Business Women
the one-year honours programme as a part time option. communities. The value for money that we bring is that means that Kashnee has an opportunity to: “Share my
Kashnee commenced studying again at the age of 32, we help municipalities bring value to the communities.” knowledge, share what I’ve achieved and to inspire
newly married, and possibly the oldest student in her class. As an individual, Kashnee voluntarily serves on the Eastern young people that they can do anything that they put
She qualified as a chartered accountant at the age of 36. Region SAICA Public Sector Committee. In her role, she their mind to.”

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