Technology is the key driving force in the modernisation of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) in businesses around the world. The importance of machine learning and AI, and big data and data analytics, continues to increase as organisations seek to make predictive decisions based on real-time data. An FP&A function is not just about sending monthly management reports to business units; it’s also increasingly seen as a strategic business partner in achieving growth and shareholder value.
I’m a manager in the FP&A function at Aegros. I helped set up the budget and planning function from scratch at this newly established company, which aims to provide a safe, secure and sustainable supply of therapeutic plasma products. I haven’t worked in the healthcare sector before and I really enjoy learning the industry’s dynamics while getting to use my FP&A skillset.
I realised academic qualifications alone would not be sufficient to outperform in the finance field
Juggling household and work responsibilities simultaneously is a key challenge for many women in finance. I’m starting to realise that with proper planning, organisation and focus it’s still possible to be a good mother without giving up on a professional career.
I am married to an FCCA who works in Deloitte’s advisory division in Sydney, Australia [read ‘The view from Umasudhan Subramaniam’ for his story]. Being a ‘finance couple’, we have been able to generate greater synergies in life in terms of advising and mentoring each other to make the right career decisions and to handle difficult situations at the workplace. Parenting becomes seamless as we both understand each other’s pressures at the workplace at different times of the year.
I’m passionate about supporting young finance professionals in their career journeys by providing them with the right advice and guidance. It’s important to maintain professionalism, high ethical standards and professional integrity in the workplace. My advice to young finance professionals is to uphold your values and ethics while continuing to upgrade your skills and competencies so that you remain competitive in the marketplace.
My own finance career began some 20 years ago when I joined EY as an auditor. Since then, I’ve worked in multiple finance roles in different industries. Before joining Aegros, I worked as a business analyst at Fujitsu Australia and as a corporate planning analyst at a telecom operator. I also worked in treasury finance for seven years at a petrochemical distributor in Qatar.
My dream of becoming a finance professional had started in high school in Sri Lanka. I chose the commerce stream at advanced level over maths and science. While at university, I realised that academic qualifications alone would not be sufficient to outperform in the finance field, and that I’d need to acquire professional qualifications, such as ACCA, and to work alongside my studies.
