Unparalleled transformation in the business world requires a new kind of leadership — innovative thinkers who can adapt to change and focus on new ideas and methods to solve problems, while modelling behaviours that inspire their teams. Beyond technical expertise, accounting and finance leaders must cultivate a diverse skill set to remain effective in an evolving landscape.
Embrace digital transformation
Finance leaders must now be champions of technology, not just adopters of it, by developing skills in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and automation. As a leader, you recognise that technology is about more than working efficiently — it’s about your talent for unlocking insights that drive strategic decision-making to deliver value.
You’ll need to embrace change and invest time in understanding how emerging technologies can transform financial processes while maintaining appropriate controls and governance.
Five CIMA members shared their views on what it takes to be an effective leader.
Khalid Ali, ACMA, CGMA, commercial manager (and former business controller) at global engineering and sustainability consultancy Ramboll UK and Ireland, is also vice chair of CIMA UK and Ireland. ‘I’m very open to change and, if anything, I like driving it’, said Ali.
With his foundation in finance as a CGMA® designation holder, Ali connects financial acumen with commercial strategy to drive commercial performance across Ramboll’s UK and Ireland transport market.
Lead ethically in strategic business partnerships
Gone are the days when accounting and finance professionals worked in isolation. Today’s ethical leaders must position themselves as strategic business partners who understand the organisation’s entire value chain, which means growing your business acumen and capabilities with transparency and integrity, to translate financial data into actionable insights that support strategic initiatives.
Kit Yeoh, FCMA, CGMA, CFO at PureCircle by Ingredion, talked about the ethics of leadership that are important to him. ‘For me, I have to demonstrate integrity, transparency and accountability in handling all financial matters’, said Yeoh.
Master adaptability and agility
In a business environment in which navigating constant change is the norm, being agile, flexible, and curious are essential attributes. Your leadership role includes being able to advance organisational structures that can quickly adapt to market shifts, regulatory changes, and emerging opportunities.
Shehani Paranavitane, ACMA, CGMA, principal at EY Sri Lanka, reflected on the skills that help her expand her experience. ‘Curiosity helps me to broaden my knowledge. That’s why I always try and adapt myself.’ As a partner, Paranavitane’s leadership role includes ultimate decision-making powers and significant responsibilities for EY’s overall success.
Develop emotional intelligence
Technical expertise alone is no longer enough for leadership success. Finance leaders need to demonstrate high emotional intelligence, such as being self-aware and understanding their own emotions and those of team members. Emotional intelligence is especially critical during periods of significant change when teams may experience uncertainty and stress.
Mark Zungu, ACMA, CGMA, is a Chartered Management Accountant and partner (technical) at Isotope Business Solutions in South Africa. ‘If I’m to be an effective leader, I need to be always up-to-date. I need to be rounded up in terms of my emotional intelligence’, he noted.
Agnieszka Kreciszewska, FCMA, CGMA, CFO and board member of Caparol in Poland, observed, ‘We need to give space to others to say what they need to say and also to give them the space to understand, because sometimes the words are different and sometimes meanings are different.’ Kreciszewska is an international leader in general management, operations, and finance.
Adopt a continuous-learning mindset
The pace of change requires a commitment to lifelong learning. Effective leaders model this behaviour by continuously upgrading their skills and encouraging their teams to do the same.
If you’re looking to gain expertise with a top-ranking management credential, the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation and CIMA® membership demonstrate advanced proficiency in the field. And with the CGMA Finance Leadership Program, study is flexible and at your own pace, supported by on-demand learning modules.
Listen to CIMA members discuss the essential qualities needed for leadership.
