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partner - management assurance services, KPMG, UK

When it came to choosing a career and professional qualification Andrew Steet had two main objectives: career flexibility and international mobility. 'I chose accountancy because of the wide range of potential career opportunities that it offered. Having spent much of my childhood in Malta, but recognising that I was unlikely to make my home there, I wanted an international qualification. ACCA was the obvious choice.'

Now holding the position of partner - management assurance services at KPMG in the UK, Andrew values the opportunities he has had to work in different countries and across various business sectors. He explains: 'I have spent a number of years overseas, including periods in Australia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa and Spain. This has given me a tremendous insight into the way that business is conducted in many parts of the world. I have also worked in a range of businesses including oil, retail, FMCG, pharmaceuticals and now in public practice.'

He started his career as an international auditor with Mobil Oil before moving to Marks & Spencer where he initially held the position of head of computer audit. During his time at M&S he extended his area of responsibility to become head of financial & computer audit. He left M&S to join International Distillers and Vintners as global head of risk and audit and subsequently joined the German pharmaceuticals group Corange Boehringer Mannheim to establish and head up a global corporate governance, risk and audit function. On leaving Corange he joined KPMG as a direct entry partner.

'We need to restore the confidence of capital markets in our profession. In doing so, I hope to see accountants having a greater say in the development of corporate legislation and corporate governance standards.'