Sharifah Babirye: From CPA student to Audit Assistant

Sharifah Babirye is a young professional who has overcome many challenges to achieve her dream of becoming a certified public accountant (CPA). She is currently working as an audit assistant at Mazars BRJ, a leading audit and advisory firm in Uganda. She recently graduated from CPA with flying colors, scoring the highest mark in Integration of Knowledge, the final and most comprehensive paper of the program.

Sharifah's journey to CPA started after she finished her secondary education at Nabisunsa Girls' Secondary School, one of the best schools in the country. She decided to enroll in CPA directly, without pursuing a university degree, as she was confident of her passion and potential in accounting. She faced some doubts and criticism from others who thought she was aiming too high, but she did not let that discourage her. She believed that success was not just about grades, but about striving for excellence in everything she did.

She was on track to complete CPA by 2022, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and disrupted her plans. Schools were closed and exams were postponed, leaving her in a state of uncertainty and frustration. She lost a whole year of studies, which could have affected her motivation and performance.

However, she did not give up. She used the time to develop herself personally and professionally, taking up a job at Mazars BRJ while continuing to study online. She faced many difficulties balancing work and studies, but she persevered and showed resilience. In August 2023, she finally completed CPA and achieved her goal. She was elated to find out that she was the top candidate of Integration of Knowledge, a paper that tested her knowledge and skills across all areas of accounting.