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financial and administration director, Poligrafia S.A., Poland

When Gustaw Duda decided to pursue a career in finance, he was determined to “fast track” his career by gaining as much experience as possible with one of the top firms offering accounting training opportunities in Poland. ‘I joined KPMG
in 1996 after graduating from university and immediately started studying towards ACCA,' recalls Gustaw. ‘Studying for the Professional Scheme was essential in helping me to deal with complex customer issues. As I progressed through
my studies - I passed seven examinations in one year - I was quickly given a greater level of responsibility.'

Gustaw believes that ACCA membership was crucial for rapid career progression. He explains: ‘ACCA members are trusted by employers and regarded as well-trained individuals with high potential. At KPMG, it was necessary to have a professional qualification to secure promotion. In the six years I spent with the firm, I was promoted several times from my initial position of junior assistant, to manager of the assurance department.'

Three years after gaining ACCA membership, Gustaw now holds the position of financial and administration director for Poland's third largest printing plant, listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. ‘I joined Poligrafia S.A. in 2002 as deputy finance director and, within my first year, I was promoted to my current position and became a member of the management board. The changes that have taken place in my job over the last two years have been the most memorable in my career to date,' says Gustaw.

And when asked about his hopes for the future of the profession he comments: ‘I want to see accounting standards which have universal interpretation and application throughout the world. In addition, I hope for an increased knowledge of accounting standards among the wider business population as well as the simplification of some of the more complex standards. This would make financial statements useful not only to highly qualified accountants but all business managers.'