During school, I enjoyed accounting the most, and I was fortunate to have a great teacher. Then at university, I especially liked management accounting, financial analysis and doing case studies on Excel with professors from diverse backgrounds who were very passionate about what they taught.
My first job was as a technical accountant in insurance at AIG’s shared service hub in Dubai. It served several markets in the GCC and MENA regions. I had interned at AIG during summers while studying business administration at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. By the time I graduated, I had several job offers and chose AIG.
The human connection – what you’re remembered for – matters a lot
I previously managed financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and commercial development for a global marketing services company. My role involved budgeting and forecasting, management reporting, contract reviews and pricing. What I enjoyed most was being a business partner with different department heads and their teams to help them achieve the targets they needed to hit. I’m currently on a career break.
The Philippines is one of the most tech-savvy populations in the world. A 2023 Statista study found that Filipinos spent the most time on the internet, at over eight hours a day. Connecting to our audiences, making an impact in shorter amounts of time while delivering truths well told through the products paid for by our clients is what I find most interesting.
I have really enjoyed my work. I appreciate that even after I’ve left an organisation, former colleagues still reach out to say how much they valued what I have done and the outcome of previous projects. That human connection – what you’re remembered for even after you’ve left – matters a lot.
The ACCA certification is globally accepted and is the key to professional mobility
ACCA has been invaluable, as the exams, courses and CPD keep you relevant in this profession. Employers in many different industries also support it; this could be in financial services, telcos and advertising, or in different types of companies, whether it’s an established multinational giant, a startup, a local organisation undergoing change management or a joint venture. The ACCA certification is globally accepted and is the key to professional mobility.
My move from the UAE to the Philippines took place during the pandemic, as I wanted to be closer to my parents. The UAE ended restrictions fairly early, while the Philippines had the longest lockdown in the world. I’m aware that not everyone had the same circumstances and options, and I feel blessed to have been able to move when I did as my father passed away due to cancer this year and I was able to spend a few good years with him.
We have unpredictable weather in the Philippines, so on days when the weather does not cooperate, I enjoy watching films or reading. However, when the weather is good, I enjoy hiking and scuba diving. The Philippines is one of the best dive locations in the world and I am currently working towards my rescue diver certification.
