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The love for numbers and the passion for teaching: Zoraida Ramírez Gutiérrez, a...

The love for numbers and the passion for teaching: Zoraida Ramírez Gutiérrez, a role model in Public Accounting

Within the framework of Public Accountant Day in Colombia, and also as a perfect prelude to celebrating the achievements of #UnicaucaWomen during March, our Alma Mater highlights the work and career of Dr. Zoraida Ramírez Gutiérrez, a professor in the Department of Accounting Sciences, who has dedicated her academic and professional life to the study and teaching of accounting, finance, and management.

Every March 1, we celebrate Public Accountant Day, a date established to commemorate, year after year, the first National Meeting of Boards of Directors of Colombian Professional Associations, held in 1975 at the University of Antioquia. This meeting, which aimed to find solutions to foreign dominance in the accounting market in the country, immediately became an opportunity to recognize the work and professionalism of those who practice this profession.

In this context, and given that our institution trains public accountants who are ethical, responsible, and committed to building a more just and equitable society, we want to take this occasion to share part of the story of Professor Zoraida Ramírez, an exemplary Public Accountant, outstanding professional, and dedicated teacher who breathes passion for teaching.

“I have always been passionate about numbers and mathematics, which led me to excel academically, becoming the top graduate at INEM School in Armenia and receiving a scholarship to the National University in Bogotá, which I could not accept due to financial constraints. My intuition and an affinity for statistics led me to choose Public Accounting, where I discovered that it is not just about recording figures, but about analyzing, interpreting, and questioning them. I realized that financial statements tell stories, reflect decisions, and reveal strategies. This understanding led me to develop a critical and reflective approach to accounting and financial information and its impact on organizations and society as a whole,” expressed Professor Zoraida, fondly recalling how her educational journey began.

Thus, her professional career began at the Treasury Department of the Armenia City Hall, while simultaneously teaching at various higher education institutions. Two decades ago, in 2005, she joined the University of Cauca as a full-time faculty member, dedicating herself fully to research and teaching. During her trajectory at our house of thought, she has held leadership positions such as Head of the Department of Accounting Sciences, Coordinator of the Public Accounting Program, Administrative Vice-Rector, Vice-Rector of Culture and Well-being, and, at certain times, Acting Rector.

“Holding leadership and representative positions at the University of Cauca, as a woman and an outsider, has been a challenge. Breaking the glass ceiling has not been easy, especially moving from personal merit to university leadership, while maintaining principles of transparency, honesty, and justice,” reflects Professor Zoraida as she shares this powerful message.

It is important to note that Professor Zoraida is a Public Accountant, a specialist in Financial Management, holds a Master’s in Economic and Financial Administration, a Master’s in Administration with an emphasis in Corporate Finance, and a PhD in Accounting and Corporate Finance from the University of Valencia, Spain.

Currently, she is a full-time faculty member at the University of Cauca, affiliated with the Department of Accounting Sciences, a Junior Researcher at MinCiencias, and Director of the Finance and Management Study and Research Group (GREIFG). Additionally, in 2022, she was appointed Academic Director of the Ibero-American Association of Management Control (AICOGestión), where she also serves on the Board of Directors. In parallel with her academic work at Unicauca, she serves as Academic Director for Latin America at the Peruvian multinational CONTACOM, consolidating her trajectory as a leading figure in the fields of accounting and financial management.

Based on her extensive experience, and as a prelude to the Women’s Month campaign, Professor Zoraida sends a message to future generations of public accountants: “It is essential to have clear convictions regarding the principles and values that govern our profession. Education must be continuous and lifelong; the university provides the foundation, but learning is something we must pursue throughout our lives. Public Accounting has a significant social impact, and we must commit to disseminating information not only on financial and accounting matters, but also on environmental, social, and governance issues.”

With her outstanding career, this #UnicaucanaWoman establishes herself as a leading figure in academia and accounting research, inspiring new generations to practice this profession with excellence and responsibility. Today, with admiration and affection, we pay special recognition to her invaluable contribution, one that elevates the name of our Alma Mater across various spaces and settings. And we could not conclude this note without congratulating our public accountants, whose knowledge and leadership reflect the seal of excellence that defines this institution as #HeritageForAll: Happy Public Accountant Day to those who understand the power of numbers!