AI Magazine Issue 7 2018

42 Acquisition International - Issue 7 2018 Jason Kazilimani, Jr is the Senior Partner and CEO of KPMG in Zambia. In June, Jason was named as the CEO of the Year for Financial Services by Acquisition International Magazine, for his two decades of outstanding service to the global behemoth. On the back of his win, we spoke to Jason to find out more about KPMG’s plans to expand in the region, what developments are happening in the sector and how the firm are staying ahead of the competition. t is clear from the outset that Jason Kazilimani is an accomplished individual, with many years of experience, and an outstanding history of excellence in the financial services sector. As a member of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Jason has become a distinguished figurehead in the banking community, an expert voice held in high esteem by his peers, and colleagues. Over the years, Jason has made strides in furthering his training and education; earning his MBA at the London School of Business and Finance in 2011, and completing the KPMG Partner Development Programme in 2013. Most recently, he was elected President of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants. Jason has held the title of CEO of KPMG Zambia for over six years, a tenure which has been defined by a commitment to innovating KPMG’s services in the region. He attributes KPMG’s continued success to “investing in people and technology, and ensuring high quality of deliverables”. Either way, it is clear that KPMG has an ever-growing presence on the African continent. When it comes to acquiring new projects and clients, Jason details KPMG’s processes for guaranteeing a successful and rewarding experience for both the firm and the client, “KPMG has vigorous internal risk management procedures which must be undertaken prior to accepting any new project or client. These procedures are applied globally. To ensure that the outcome meets the needs of everyone involved the following activities are carried out: • Scoping meetings before entering into a contractual agreement. • Engagement entry meetings with management • Engagement progress reports/meetings • Engagement close out meetings to discuss findings” Contact: Jason Kazilimani Company: KPMG Address: First Floor Eluda Two, Addis Ababa Roundabout, Rhodes Park, Lusaka, Zambia Website: home.kpmg.com/zm/ en/home.html Leading from the Front I 1807AI18 As for challenges that he has faced during his time in the role, Jason emphasises recent regulatory changes, “Regulatory change is the biggest issue that we are grappling with. Scrutiny is intensifying from multiple stakeholders including regulators, investors, counterparties, and other market participants in a post-crisis environment where compliance demands are now far more intensive and detailed than ever before. Having a Centre of Excellence at KPMG enables us to pull together multi-disciplinary experts as you need them. We are, simply, your ‘one-stop-shop’” Naturally, as one of the ‘Big Four” in the Accountancy sector, KPMG is well placed to lead the region when it comes to their financial and auditing services. Equally, more than most, it is also subject to any developments in the sector, feeling the impact of trends, emerging technology and potential disruptions. We asked Jason what developments may impact KPMG Zambia in the future, and what effect they may have, “Crypto currencies! The introduction of crypto currencies may impact on our business in that it will remove the need for intermediaries and services provided by them e.g. banking, insurance and taxation services. The reduction of these services may impact on our client base in these sectors for a period. Secondly, the rotation of clients every five-six years. The need for client rotation every five-six years will serve as both a win and a loss for us. We may have to lose some of our premium clients and gain some. Lastly, the Accountants (Client Fees) Regulations Statutory Instrument No. 34 of 2018. The gazettement and ultimate implementation of regulated fees will be a welcomed law for our organisation. However, some clients may find the minimum fees to be too high in the interim leading to a loss of some business in the short term, whilst the market adjusts to the new fees.” To close, Jason highlighted the strength of KPMG: “Our purpose, value, vision, strategy and promise combine powerfully, helping us articulate what we stand for, where we are today and where we are going in the future. It is the glue that unifies member firms and the framework that helps us make informed decisions as we respond to challenges and pursue new opportunities. Also, our willingness to confront hard truths and act upon them, cooperate with regulators and all other stakeholders so as to build public trust. Ultimately it will give us a competitive advantage.” Leading from the Front “Our purpose, value, vision, strategy and promise combine powerfully, helping us articulate what we stand for, where we are today and where we are going in the future.”