The business world is fascinating, and accounting is the language of business. That is why I chose the subject as my major in business school.
I started my career as a management trainee in a listed company. However, I was keen to gain professional qualifications and this led me to the financial planning and analysis field. I pursued the ACCA qualification followed by an MSc in professional accountancy from the University of London.
At BSI, a British certification body, I support all finance matters for the chief commercial officer and the extended commercial leadership team. Apart from routine month-end closings, budgeting and forecasting, I play a key role in helping the organisation develop and execute strategic plans. I also work closely with business leaders, using financial data and insight to inform decision-making.
I need to tell the story behind the numbers
Working with colleagues across departments with diverse backgrounds has led me to realise that my involvement makes a difference. One challenge is to communicate complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders, and storytelling is a crucial element in those conversations. Too much attention to detail can lose your audience; I need to tell the story behind the numbers.
Several trends are shaping the evolution of the accounting profession. One is that modern businesses generate vast amounts of data, and accountants are increasingly expected to have strong analysis and business intelligence skills. I have been working to develop an analytical mindset and business acumen to develop myself as a leader who can influence decisions beyond the numbers.
Do not let fixed mindsets make you believe your abilities and talents are limited
While technical skills are still important, there is an increasing emphasis on upgrading your soft skills. The ability to communicate well is key to career development.
With the rise of new technologies, many traditional accounting tasks are being automated. People sometimes have concerns about automation or artificial intelligence replacing human jobs, but I would rather embrace technology and use it to drive excellence.
To overcome challenges, one should be resilient and stay hungry, creating a culture of continuous learning. Do not let fixed mindsets make you believe your abilities and talents are limited; try to look at your intelligence and knowhow as things that can be developed. Constantly seek to learn and improve.
In accounting, success comes from a combination of competencies such as commercial acumen, strategic thinking, negotiation and influence. Together, these can make you into a business leader and strategic adviser.
In my spare time I enjoy running, which helps me clear my mind. In some ways, running with the same posture, route and pace is like the routine accounting cycle: bookkeeping, period closing, and management reporting. Likewise, strategic thinking goes into determining how cardio can improve your performance or when to speed up in a marathon.
