In 1994, Umar Farook was recognised as one of Fiji’s rising accounting professionals when he won the Young Accountant of the Year award in the 30 years and below category.
According to The Fiji Times of Saturday, May 14, 1994, Mr Farook received the award at the conclusion of a two-day Fiji Institute of Accountants conference held at the Regent Hotel.
His prize was an $11,000 computer package, including software.
At the time, the 28-year-old was the finance and administration controller for the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) and also served as national secretary of the Fiji Muslim Youth Movement.
At SOPAC, Mr Farook was responsible for preparing annual budgets, supervising staff and developing a computerised accounting system.
He graduated from the University of the South Pacific in 1987 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Administration and began his career in January 1988 with KPMG Peat Marwick as a graduate accountant.
He progressed through the ranks, becoming graduate accountant II in 1989 and graduate accountant III in 1990. He later became a senior auditor and obtained his chartered accountant certificate in early 1991.
In April 1991, Mr Farook joined SOPAC as finance and administration controller.
He said when he joined the regional organisation, it did not have an accounting system or a detailed, easily interpreted annual budget. He was developing a new accounting system, which was expected to be completed later that year.
Mr Farook believed he received the award because of his professional achievements and his contribution to community work.
He also planned to use his prize to help establish an accounting consultancy business.
