From graduate trainee to internal auditor

Ester KamatiQuality is everyone’s responsibility but more than that, it is the personal vision of Sherin Tshipena. Having recently turned 25, Oshakati-born Tshipena is the youngest member of MTC’s internal audit team. Dependability, an ability to understand different business needs, an ability to make independent decisions, communication skills and experience are what it takes to be a good auditor, she believes. Her willingness to learn and humility are easily noticeable, which proves that she is more than just a friendly face. After undergoing a one-year trainee programme at MTC last year, Sherin’s sharp-shooting competence on the job earned her a position in the company.At first she was worried about how she would fit in, but in no time her fear was brushed away as the universe gave her “the best team”, as she joyfully describes them. In just a short period of time, she was able to settle in and find a home at MTC.Her love for auditing was realised after she completed her accounting honours degree, which contained an element of auditing. “I was always sceptical about internal and external audit until I was placed in the auditing department during my graduate trainee programme. Today, I’m actually learning a lot and now fully understand the difference between internal and external auditing. I’m liking it,” she said.Sherin likes taking on new challenges, reflecting on a time a year ago when her manager told her that she didn’t have to do audit reports at that stage.“I challenged myself and actually started writing reports. I now enjoy the challenge that comes with writing audit reports and how one has to summarise all the findings in one single document without boring the reader. This has also actually improved my writing and communication skills,” she adds. She shared with Careers that auditing is versatile, as one doesn’t always encounter the same data. Every quarter, she is responsible for the affairs of a different department, which requires her to be an all-rounder. Contrary to popular belief that auditors are police officers who have questions about every action and plan, and who are often seen as a nuisance, Sherin says an auditor is simply a watchdog and not a bloodhound. “When it is crunch time, it can become overwhelming. I’m grateful to have a supportive team who assists, especially when I’m strained. There are times we don’t take lunch just to finish reports,” she shared. Proper planning is crucial to finish the work on schedule, leaving time for polishing the work. While auditors are painted as persons who cannot afford to make mistakes, Sherin acknowledges that she sometimes makes errors just like anybody else. Luckily her manager is always there to catch her mistakes. Sherin maintains a good work-life balance and makes time for other activities over the weekend, including Sunday church services. On weekends, she usually spends time with her friends and family. “If I have something pending, maybe I would take my computer home and finish up a few things,” she says, but this seldom happens as she likes to complete her work during office hours. Sherin is adventurous and loves to travel. She has visited Angola, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. Her best travel experience was when she visited Cape Town with her aunt in 2012 and saw places such as Robben Island and Table Mountain, which they hiked for four hours that felt like a lifetime. She also highlighted her Zambia trip when she first saw the Victoria Falls.

From graduate trainee to internal auditor

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Republikein 2025-05-14

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From graduate trainee to internal auditor

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Republikein 2025-05-14

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