Taher Kapasi is responsible for establishing and nurturing key relationships with educational institutions as well as ensuring existing students are supported through their qualifications journey. A committed advocate of the transformative power of education and learning, Taher, who has been with ACCA since 2016, engages with universities, national bodies, ACCA-approved learning providers, the ‘Big 4’ firms and key employers, in order to support the profile and presence of ACCA in the Middle East alongside assisting our key stakeholders in shaping their accounting and finance talent. ACCA, founded in 1904, represents more than 20,000 students, affiliates and members in the region. With a global reputation for excellence, its rigorous qualifications are recognised by employers worldwide, making ACCA-certified professionals highly valued and sought after. Passionate about helping individuals achieve their career goals, Taher nurtures and builds key relationships that serve to support ACCA’s mandate to encourage more individuals to consider a career in finance and accountancy along with ensuring they are progressing through to their qualification journey. A dynamic, results-driven individual who understands first-hand the challenges of access to education, Taher is an experienced coach and trainer committed to mentoring students taking their first steps into accounting and finance, while working alongside seasoned professionals wishing to further their career skills. “What excites me about my role is being a source of guidance to future professionals, helping them make better decisions via sharing my personal story and journey with them. Coming from a humble background and having experienced challenges and setbacks in my own education and early career path, I am convinced of the power inherent in proper guidance and mentorship,” he says. Raised in India and the UAE, Taher supported himself through his studies in the United Kingdom, graduating in 2010 and commencing his career with roles in retail at Primark and EAT., before returning to Mumbai to take up the position of Project Accountant at a manufacturing company. In 2013, he moved to Dubai, working with Majid Al Futtaim as Payables and Subcontractors Lead, before joining PwC Academy and subsequently managing the company's ACCA programme in his role as Senior Associate. Upon joining ACCA in 2016, he swiftly established a reputation as an ethical, goals-oriented manager whose approachable leadership style empowers ACCA stakeholders and supports the organisational remit. “I’m driven by making a difference in my community and helping people shape their lives for the better,” he says. “Learning my life lessons, the hard way I take every opportunity to educate people on the importance of making the right and informed decisions,” he adds. Taher holds a BSc (Hons) from Oxford Brookes University and is an ACCA-certified qualified Chartered Certified Accountant. He lives in Dubai with his wife and two children.