Marsha Meade Excels

Recognising Marsha Meade's story as a symbol of what can be achieved with the right mix of desire, ambition and application, MNI Alive is showcasing her as one of Montserrat's high achievers.

Marsha currently holds the position of Deputy Auditor General in Montserrat. This is her story.

Caribbean women over the years have always displayed a commitment to success, thus MNI Alive will showcase the best of our people. Ms Meade shares that same ideology of national pride and working hard to achieve set goals.

MNI Alive caught up with Marsha recently. See the full text of our interview below.

MNI Alive: Good day Marsha. Give us a bit of background on yourself, such as where in the caribbean are you from, who your parents are and the like?

Marsha: I am from Montserrat. My parents are Mr & Mrs Frances & Neville Weekes and Mr Donald Douglas Lee. I grew up in Water Lane and the first six years were determined as the very best years of my life, then my family moved to Mercer Street and Webb's Village.

MNI Alive: Outside of work responsibilities what else do you enjoy doing?

Marsha: First and foremost, I enjoy spending quality time with my daughter and there are many times when she demands that I read up to four story books after a tiring day at work. Also, I am a sports fanatic, West Indies cricket fan, Arsenal fan and a Chicago Bulls fan since childhood days watching WGN, the only channel we could get back in those days. I also currently enjoy playing netball and tennis.

MNI Alive: We are very happy to celebrate you, as we find your position as Deputy Auditor General highly commendable. Explain for those of us that may not know, what the role of the Deputy Auditor General involves.

Marsha: The audit profession is constantly evolving as new legislation comes on stream and departments reengineer their business processes. My role is dynamic and constantly has to expand and adjust to keep abreast of changing legislation and governance systems. For example the recent enactment of the Public Finance (Management and Accountability) Bill places a new role on the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and requires us to comment on economic, social and fiscal policies. As the DAG, I am expected to play a significant role in this process.

Currently, my role as the DAG entails much work and involves providing support to the Auditor General in the management and operation of the Office of the Auditor General and to act in her absence. I also assist in the production of the annual audit operational plan to provide the necessary audit cover in accordance with the statutory and regulatory duties, relevant auditing standards and the audit approach.

Designing audit programs to ensure achievement of audit objectives; plan, co-ordinate and monitor activities of auditors guaranteeing timely completion of assignments. I also perform selected audit tasks such as special, VFM and IT audits. Additionally I am responsible for managing staff effectively, identifying training needs for professional development whereby designing and developing training sessions to staff of the department. Also providing continuous motivation and monitoring, encourage teamwork and be a good team leader etc.

MNI Alive: Tell us what us why you chose Auditing as a career?

Marsha: When I returned to Montserrat in 2001 with my first degree I got a job with the Government of Montserrat as the Assistant Secretary, Finance and Systems within the Ministry of Health. After one year in this position I heard an advertisement on ZJB Radio for an Audit Manager in the Audit Department. I performed some research and spoke to my advisors and decided that this was the profession I wanted to be apart of. Audit is usually described as a subset of accounting but I view it as much more. At times I view audit as a double profession because when conducting financial and other audits one has to have a very good understanding of accounting principles and concepts which is the job of an accountant and still be able to perform the audit function.

MNI Alive: Where did you study? , Explain the path you took to get you to where you are today..ie. your credentials (Dip/BA/MSc)

Marsha: When I went to London in 1997 I immediately began an administration and sage accounting course to get back into the studying mood. After successful completion I then pursued the BTEC HND Course in Business Finance at the South Thames College in Wandsworth and received a Distinction. I was then given the opportunity to attend Kingston University to commence study on the last year of the BA (Hons) Business Administration and I achieved an upper second class and auditing was one of the subjects on this course. I was intrigued by the contents of the information that was presented although at that time I was only being taught the theory.

In 2004, I decided I needed to do something more and I spoke to my boss Miss Florence Lee about pursuing a master in accounting and finance and she told me about the audit management course that was offered at a university in Birmingham. I was surprise to learn that there was such a course and I applied and was accepted, so I applied for two scholarships and did receive both but had to chose one. I completed the MSc in Audit Management and Consultancy with a distinction and was awarded student of the year.

I began pursuing the professional certified auditor qualification in 2005, but due to the arrival of my beautiful and intelligent daughter Shary this was put on the back burner. Her vibrancy has motivated me now more than ever to go full steam ahead to continue my pursuit of this qualification and other ventures. Another aspect that has inspired me to pursue this qualification is the limited presence of qualified auditors on Montserrat and the fact that at times we have to buy in much needed skills to undertake some jobs.

MNI Alive: Is there a heavy bias towards mathematics related principles in such a position?

Marsha: No I would not necessarily characterise the position as having a heavy bias on mathematics related principles. While it is important for an auditor to be proficient in mathematics, accounting and finance etc; the audit profession requires one to have a wide scope of knowledge in a large number of areas and on a multiplicity of topics in order to provide effective analysis and sound advice. It is common misconception that auditors only deal with numbers and accounting.

MNI Alive: There are some individuals who shy away from careers that may be mathematics related, a phobia of numbers perhaps. Did you always wish to be involved in a career that was biased towards numbers?

Marsha: Actually at a very early age I wanted to be an Artist but with the onset of the volcano and after completing the one year intensive office arts course at the Montserrat Technical College I was set on becoming an Architect. In the mid 1990s competing with the upper class teenagers to get a scholarship was no easy task and after a number of unsuccessful applications for scholarship from the Government of Montserrat I migrated to London and commence pursuing accounting related courses to get a feel of it even though I had achieved a CXC general II in Prinicples of Accounts.

MNI Alive: Being aware that you studied abroad and particularly with all the possible lucrative offers you could have received in your particular field, what were the factors that contributed to you taking this post & returning to Montserrat?

Marsha: After completing the Masters program at the now Birmingham City Univeristy I was offered a scholarship to pursue a PHd in Audit and also the opportunity to work at Pricewaterhouse Coopers and declined both. I was eager to return home to implement things I learned from my studies and visits to Pricewater and other companies in the UK and those I visited in Portugal and Belgium including the European Union Headquarters. Also another contributing factor was my dislike of the wintry weather and the fact that I preferred living where my thoughts were constantly.

MNI Alive: What is your general view on professionals who have studied abroad being able to develop their skills and careers in the present economic and employment climate in Montserrat?

Marsha: There are indeed some limitations on the types of careers one can pursue in Montserrat at this time. We are not immune from the worldwide economic downturn and needless to say we already had challenges with our small size and the volcanic situation. However, all is not lost; there are a number of employment opportunities that become available from time to time and ideally we would want Montserratian professionals to take up these posts.

Very few opportunities are available in the private sector, but the ones that are would give young professionals the opportunity to hone their skills in all areas as opposed to being channelled into very specific tasks in larger countries. While it does have its downsides, in some respects developing your skills in a small environment can be a real plus, as you get a greater level of exposure and responsibility that can help you become a more experienced professional than someone who worked in a larger environment.

There is also scope for entrepreneurship and innovators, so one must not only look at employment with the government or an existing company; but also consider starting new businesses to create employment for others.

MNI Alive: Are there any persons who you would like to make special mention of that assisted you on your path to becoming Deputy Auditor General?

Marsha: There are so many who deserve ample recognition for my achievements , God, thank you for seeing me through and for your continued guidance and protection. Just to name a few:
My daughter, who keeps me going and going and going. When I want a late lie in ÔøΩÔøΩMommy outside brightÔøΩ
My mom, who I love with a passion and who is still my tower of strength today, I could hear her drilling this into me ÔøΩÔøΩmarsh mama no want u to come and work in nobody hot kitchen like me so u have to learn you lessonÔøΩ and my stepfather ÔøΩÔøΩFrances she a go do goodÔøΩ. I know they are extremely proud.

My sisters Annie, Peggy, and Eslyn, one would buy the cloth for school uniform, one would make them and the other would buy books and pay for the exams. Your lil sis thank you for your support.

All my school teachers from Teacher Mildred French at Daycare who taught me over 30 years ago to Teacher Margaret Browne at Plymouth Primary School to Mr Randy Zunky Greenaway at MSS Church Road to Mr Ronald Lackland my MSc Course Director. There are many more that I have not named but are not forgotten.

Thank you also to all my friends, advisors and Miss Florence Lee

MNI Alive: As the Deputy Auditor General we would think you have access towards key data as it regards how the Montserrat economy is performing. What are the sectors that you think can provide a boost of activity for the island?

Marsha: Tourism and Medical Schools. Tourism still seems to have the most potential, but we have not yet found the key to our marketing success. If we can figure out exactly which market would be most responsive to our unique eco tourism products and find a sustainable and economical way to get the tourists here, I think it would provide a great boost to the economy. There is still scope for Offshore Schools whether medical or otherwise and we already know the significant impact a small school of even 200 students would have on our struggling economy. I would also like to see some real effort being put into the rejuvenation of the Financial Services sector which is still so lucrative in many other countries.

MNI Alive: Do you have any affiliations with any organisations at home?

Marsha: I am currently affiliated with the St Patricks Cooperative Credit Union where I am a member of the Supervisory Committee which is a voluntary internal audit function. I am also a floor member for the Montserrat Civil Service Association

MNI Alive: What advice would you give to upcoming youths of Montserrat towards following their goals and achieving your level of success?

Marsha: I never forget the MSS motto ÔøΩÔøΩQui non proficit deficitÔøΩ It is hard to progress in a world if one is not educated. There are many educational opportunities available and it is for persons to choose their suitable career and strive to achieve their aspirations. Whether you live here on Montserrat or overseas you have to always be on the ball or you would be left behind. Remember how our forefathers fight for the very life we are living today. Wherever you are in the world think positive, try to better yourselves, seek education and motivate yourself to achieve great things.

MNI Alive: Well Marsha, MNI Alive would very much like to hold you up as a beacon of success for all to be proud of and we wish you further success in the future. As we wrap our talk, are there any closing remarks you would like to make?

Marsha: I get fulfilment when I see people progress in life especially young people. In 1712 on the banks of James River in Virgina, Willie Lynch gave a speech on how to control slaves and make black fight against black and today there are people who are still behaving this very way fighting against each other , we need to stop this. Swallow sangÔøΩ we need to work together through this stormy weatherÔøΩ and I am calling on all Montserratians to take heed of sparrow's words so that we can prosper and rebuild our country together.

Jeevan, thank you for giving me this opportunity to share and hopefully be a motivation to others.

MNI Alive: Anytime!