It was always a numbers game for Rachna Prasad. In school, she used to take a lot of interest in the mathematical and accounting subjects. She was keen on pursuing a career in the accounting field from a young age.

“Accounting is my passion and I love to deal with numbers,” she said.

Prasad is currently the Accountant for FijiCare Insurance Limited (FIL) and one of its shareholders; Stronghold Investment Inc. Limited.  FIL is a medical and general insurance company based in Fiji providing a range of packages to secure better healthcare for individuals. 

Eldest of three siblings, Prasad was born and raised in Navua. She attended Rampur Primary School from 1995 to 2000 and Rampur College from 2001 to 2007. She currently resides in Navua with her mother and siblings.

After finishing high school, Prasad enrolled in the Certificate in First Swift Program in Computing at NIIT. This was a one year program.

After completing the Certificate program, she enrolled at the Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), now College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS) to pursue a Diploma in Business Accounting. In order to graduate she was required to do a six month workplace attachment. She completed this at the Uprising Beach Resort in Deuba, Pacific Harbour as the Attaché Accounts Clerk.

“I am glad that doing the attachment was a requirement for graduation. This allowed me to apply what I learnt in the classroom in the workplace. It also gave me enough experience to be able to secure a job upon graduation,” she said.

After graduating in 2010, Prasad started her first job as the Finance Officer for FIL. She served on this post till May 2017 after which she was promoted to Accountant. 

In 2011, Prasad started studying again as a part-time student. She enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting & Finance (Minor) programme at the Fiji National University (FNU).

“I chose FNU because at FNU we can study any subject we want and it is affordable and also we are to do attachments before graduation and that gives us work experience in companies. It also has excellent teaching standards,” she said.

While working for FIL, in 2012, she was also appointed as the Accountant for Stronghold Investment Inc. Limited, one of the three shareholders of FijiCare Insurance Limited. She is currently serving this post as well.

Her job includes preparing payments by verifying documentation, and requesting disbursements, managing creditors and payments, maintaining the Asset Register, maintaining all offshore payments, preparing and lodging of Tax Returns – VAT, PAYE, FBT, SRT, Provisional Tax, Stamp Duty Tax and FNPF including VAT return and VNPF Schedule for VanCare Insurance Limited (Vanuatu), preparation of journal account entries in order to prepare financial statements, reconciliation of balance sheet, assisting in compiling and preparing audit file, managing the internal and external audit queries, updating the payment voucher files and other reports.

“I love my job as it allows me to communicate complex financial data and business projections clearly and concisely. Financial standards constantly evolve so I am able to keep learning and upskilling myself,” she said.

Prasad is currently enrolled in the CPA Programme at CPA Australia.

She dedicates her achievements to her mother and late father.   “My parents have always encouraged me to work hard and achieve my goals. They are my inspiration and they the reason behind my success,” she said.

Sharing her advice for current and future tertiary students, she said, “students should know what they want to achieve, always have goals set and then work towards it. You will not be focused if you do not have anything to work towards.”