The Head of Department of Financial Accounting in the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Professor Ferina Marimuthu, was recently recognised for her leadership and contribution to the accountancy profession after receiving the SAIPA Mastery Circle Award in the Leadership category at the SAIPA Accounting iNdaba.
The recognition was accompanied by another achievement for DUT, which received the SAIPA Mastery Circle Partner Award in recognition of its collaborative partnership with the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA). SAIPA has described Prof Marimuthu’s recognition as reflecting a career built on professional excellence, ethical leadership and a commitment to empowering others.
The recognition came during Women’s Month, providing an opportunity to highlight the contribution of women who continue to lead, mentor, develop others and shape their professions. For Prof Marimuthu, the award represents both a personal and professional milestone and reflects her commitment to leadership, continuous learning, service and the development of competent, ethical and future ready accounting professionals.
She believes leadership extends beyond a position or title and is instead about creating opportunities, developing people and leaving an environment stronger than she found it.
Prof Ferina Marimuthu.
Reflecting on her professional journey, Prof Marimuthu said one of her greatest achievements has been contributing to the development of people and creating opportunities for them to progress academically and professionally. She takes particular pride in seeing former students grow into successful accounting professionals, academics and leaders.
Her contribution to accounting education has included supporting the development and transformation of accounting programmes, strengthening professional accreditation and building partnerships between higher education institutions and professional bodies. Among these initiatives is the collaboration between DUT and SAIPA, as well as the implementation of a 20 week Work Integrated Learning simulation aimed at strengthening student development and professional readiness.
The recognition of DUT with the Partner Award made the achievement even more meaningful for Prof Marimuthu. She views the two awards as closely connected and believes they demonstrate what can be achieved when higher education institutions and professional bodies work towards a shared purpose.
“Leadership achieves its greatest impact through collaboration, and the Partner Award reflects what can be achieved when academia and the profession work together with a shared purpose,” she said.
Her approach to leadership is guided by integrity, accountability, excellence, service and a genuine commitment to developing others. She believes leaders should lead by example, remain accountable for their decisions and create an environment where people are encouraged to grow and contribute.
For Prof Marimuthu, success should not end with an individual. Knowledge, experience and opportunities should be shared to ensure that others are also able to progress and reach their potential.
As the accountancy profession continues to evolve, Prof Marimuthu believes universities cannot prepare future accounting professionals in isolation. Meaningful collaboration with professional bodies, industry and other stakeholders is essential to ensuring that curricula, teaching practices and graduate development initiatives remain relevant to the changing needs of the profession.
Her future focus includes future ready accounting education, Work Integrated Learning, technology, sustainability and the development of emerging professionals and academics. She said the recognition encourages her to continue contributing, collaborating and creating opportunities for others.
She encourages young professionals to focus on becoming people of value rather than seeking recognition. Building competence, protecting integrity, remaining open to learning and developing the ability to adapt to technological changes are, in her view, essential qualities for the future of the profession.
She also encourages emerging professionals to contribute beyond their formal job descriptions by mentoring others, serving their profession, supporting their communities and identifying problems they can help solve.
“Recognition often follows meaningful work, but meaningful work should always come first,” she said.
At this stage of her career, Prof Marimuthu says she is increasingly thinking about legacy not in terms of titles or personal achievements, but in terms of people, programmes and partnerships that can continue making an impact beyond her direct involvement.
She hopes her journey will inspire the next generation of accountancy professionals to understand that leadership is not confined to a particular position or title. It can be demonstrated in a classroom, professional practice, the community or through supporting another person’s development.
“Success becomes more meaningful when it creates opportunities for others,” she said.
As DUT celebrates Women’s Month, Prof Marimuthu’s recognition serves as an example of the impact women can make through academic leadership, professional service, mentorship and the development of others. Her achievement also highlights the importance of creating spaces where women can lead, contribute and shape the future of their professions.
For DUT, the recognition of Prof Marimuthu, alongside the SAIPA Mastery Circle Partner Award, highlights the value of strong partnerships between higher education and professional bodies in strengthening the accountancy profession and preparing graduates for an evolving world of work.
The awards therefore represent more than individual recognition. They reflect a continued commitment to leadership, collaboration, professional excellence and the development of the next generation of accounting professionals.
Pictured: Prof Ferina Marimuthu was recently awarded the SAIPA Mastery Circle Award in the Leadership category.
Photos: Supplied.
Sinamile Sithole
