Zahida Daruwala - Expert trainer and researcher of sectors impacting finance growth

 

Zahida Daruwala, PhD, CMA, CFE, Assistant Professor, City University Ajman, UAE

 

I have been in the teaching profession for more than fifteen (15) years, having experience in delivering a wide variety of courses for academic programmes, with a passion for unravelling the complexities of financial systems and a commitment to academic excellence. My pursuit has been to develop engaging teaching sessions with an interactive approach that fosters critical thinking and a deep understanding of the concepts. My work in research has included contemporary areas like sustainability accounting and cryptocurrencies. Having active participation in professional organisations like the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA, US) and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners has broadened my knowledge of industry players and their requirements.

 

 

Educational journey of Dr. Zahida

 

Having started my education in the city of Mumbai as a commerce graduate from the University of Mumbai, I went on with my Masters in Accounting from the US and then my Doctorate again from India. I pursued professional qualifications, which include being a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) from IMA US and also a Certified Fraud Examiner (ACFE). Later, I achieved my second Masters qualification, an MSc in Accounting and Financial Management from Royal Holloway University of London, with the aim of pursuing a second doctorate from the UK and persisting in my journey of learning and teaching simultaneously. I have been an active researcher in accounting and finance areas and have published in well-indexed journals on contemporary topics like Sustainability Accounting, Ethics in Accounting and Stock Market Behaviours. I am also a registered reviewer for Elsevier journals. For my passion to volunteer and contribute to the professional community, I received the ‘IMA Certificate of Appreciation Award’ by the Institute of Management Accountants, US, for your long-time service and dedication to IMA and advancing the Management Accounting Profession, in 2022–2023.

 

 

Research and expertise

 

My research interests have always followed contemporary economic and market needs. I have invested my resources in investigating the financial crisis of 2008 and, later, the impact of the pandemic on the financial markets. As I am based in the UAE and the country implemented corporate tax in 2023, I have a couple of studies relevant to this area. The work in progress includes an examination of the interconnectedness of cryptocurrency after the pandemic. Other areas of research have included studies on accounting ethics and leverage in corporations, among others. Collaboration with academics from other countries like Italy and Malaysia is on the way, and we are looking forward to fruitful experiences as we work together.

 

 

Roles and responsibilities at City University

 

My current role includes tasks related to teaching, administering, and examining various Accounting and Finance courses for the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Business Administration. Intermediate and International Accounting along with Corporate/ Business Finance, have been my specializations. Other responsibilities include curriculum development and active contribution to the review of courses, academic advising for new and current students, supervising student projects within the relevant programmes; arranging and/or participating in extra-curriculum activities with the students, like organising an expo at the campus; and participating in exhibitions and conferences along with the students.

 

 

Major publications on causes impacting the finance sector

 

My major publications include the following:

• “Reactive or Immune: Stock Market Behaviour during Subsequent Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic”, International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econ Journals, 2022.
• “Fossil Fuel Reserves and Resources Reporting and Unburnable Carbon: Investigating Conflicting Accounts”, Article Reviews, Social and Environmental Accountability Journal, 2022.
• “Impact of Proposed Corporate Income Tax in the UAE - Special Reference to FDI and GDP.” Mathematical Statistician and Engineering Applications, 2022.
• “Influence of Financial Leverage on Corporate Profitability: Does it Really Matter?”, International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econ Journals, 2023

 

 

Participation in financial conferences, seminars, and summits

 

• In August 2023, I participated in the conference on ‘Uncovering Fraud with Financial and Ratio Analysis’ conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE-US).
• I have been an active volunteer in organising the IMA-ACCA Finance Excellence & Leadership Summit, organised jointly by IMA & ACCA at the Conrad Hotel Dubai, an 8-hour CPE hours’ events including workshops and panel discussions on Corporate Tax in the UAE, ESG Reporting, Artificial Intelligence, Trade Finance and others.
• I participated in the RIMS Risk Forum 2016 Middle East, Dubai, organised by ACFE.

 

 

Financial training and workshops by Zahida Daruwala

 

I am regularly invited for talks and training programmes either by professional institutions or corporations, and I have also conducted special training for government sector employees from the MENA region on topics like Investment Profitability Analysis, Tools for Evaluating Investment Opportunities, Time Value of Money Analysis, IFRS & its Applications among others. I collaborate with auditors in giving awareness sessions physically and through online mediums related to the new corporate laws and their implementation in the country. ‘Ethics in the Accounting Profession’ is my favourite topic, and I have conducted workshops in this area for the professional community.