Baghdad: The Central Bank of Iraq announced the appointment of Shaima Abbas Huwairf as Deputy Governor, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first woman to hold this position within the bank.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Shaima Abbas Huwairf Kalil Al-Saadi was born in Baghdad in 1977 and brings with her 23 years of experience. She previously served as Acting Director General at the Federal Board of Supreme Audit. Her academic credentials are noteworthy, having graduated among the top ten with a Diploma in Accounting from the Institute of Management in 1996, second in her department with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the College of Administration and Economics, University of Baghdad in 2000, and first in her class with a PhD in Certified Public Accountant from the Higher Institute for Accounting and Financial Studies, University of Baghdad in 2013. In 2017, she obtained a license to practice auditing and accounting from the Iraqi Professional Council.

Shaima has an extensive career in various auditing departments, including Corporate Activity Auditing, Finance and Distribution Activity Auditing, Agriculture and Construction Activity Auditing, and Public Services Activity Auditing. She also contributed to the Auditing and Follow-up Department, Technical Affairs and Studies Department, and served as Editor-in-Chief of the General Observer Magazine. Additionally, she held roles as Director of the Training Evaluation Department, Director of the Standards Section, and Assistant Director of the Technical Affairs and Studies Department, eventually becoming Acting Director General at the Central Bank of Iraq’s Banking Supervision Department. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Auditing and Accounting Profession in Iraq.

Her qualifications are further enhanced by an International Trainer Certificate and a Certified Mentor certificate from the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). She is also recognized as a Public Sector Accounting Standards Expert with a certificate from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).