Building the skills to influence business decisions

Aspiring to go beyond the numbers, Selina Bissessur, ACMA, CGMA, decided to pursue the CGMA Professional Qualification.

Today, Selina works as a management accountant, working alongside senior leaders and helping shape their decisions.

Through financial analysis and reporting, I help management make informed decisions by turning financial data into meaningful business insights. My role contributes to maintaining strong financial controls, improving operational efficiency, and supporting the organisation in achieving its strategic objectives, Selina said.

Her ambitions reflect how the finance profession is evolving. As AI continues to disrupt many aspects of the profession, employers are looking for finance professionals who do what technology can’t: communicate insights, challenge assumptions, and contribute to strategic discussions.

Selina’s story highlights a challenge many finance professionals face: how to go from being known for technical expertise to becoming a trusted adviser and business partner.

Carla started her career as an internal auditor and, now, she’s CEO at LEA Global in Edinburgh. She’s an example of how career progression in finance comes from the ability to connect people, performance, and insights.

Seeing the bigger picture

I wanted a career that allowed me to play a meaningful role in business decision-making and strategy, Selina explained.

What ultimately drew her to study with CIMA was its strong focus on combining finance, commercial awareness, and leadership. That combination aligned closely with her ambition to contribute more confidently to business decisions, not just provide financial information.

Through rigorous study, completing the CGMA syllabus, submitting her practical experience requirements (PER), and achieving the CGMA qualification, Selina has developed a broader perspective and honed her critical and strategic thinking.

Achieving the CGMA qualification has been a significant milestone in my professional journey. It has equipped me with the technical expertise, strategic mindset, and analytical skills needed to add value within an organisation. The qualification has also strengthened my confidence, resilience, and ability to adapt in a constantly evolving business environment.

Growth beyond technical expertise

Moving beyond technical expertise means being able to connect financial insight to wider business priorities, work effectively with stakeholders, and contribute to decisions that shape the organisation.

The CGMA qualification has strengthened my credibility as a finance professional and has opened opportunities to work in dynamic business environments. The qualification has also helped me build confidence in engaging with stakeholders, analysing business performance, and adapting to evolving business challenges.

It’s these human qualities (judgement, influence, resilience) that technology can’t replicate and that increasingly set finance professionals apart.

Beyond technical skills, the CGMA Professional Qualification developed qualities such as resilience, discipline, and problem-solving, which have positively impacted both my professional development and career progression, Selina said.

Balancing work, life, and professional development

Pursuing a professional qualification while working can be challenging. For Selina, it took several years and required patience, planning, and persistence.

Balancing work responsibilities with studying for the exams required strong discipline, consistency, and effective time management. I learned early on the importance of creating a structured study routine and setting realistic goals to stay on track while managing professional commitments.

Rather than relying on last-minute study sessions, she focused on steady progress.

There were definitely challenging periods, especially during busy work deadlines and exam preparation phases, but maintaining a long-term mindset helped me stay focused. I made use of evenings, weekends, and smaller pockets of time to study consistently.

She also found the flexibility of the study route offered by CIMA made it easier to fit around work and personal commitments.

The structure of the CGMA Professional Qualification made it possible to progress at my own pace while balancing work and personal commitments. This flexibility was especially valuable during demanding periods, as it allowed me to adapt my study schedule when needed without losing sight of my long-term goals.

A journey worth taking

Selina sees the CGMA qualification as much more than a technical achievement.

Overall, I found the journey incredibly worthwhile. It has developed my strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and ability to approach business decisions from a broader management perspective.

For anyone considering their next career step, her advice is simple: stay consistent, trust the process, and remember that progress takes time.

Most importantly, don’t be discouraged by setbacks or delays — everyone’s journey is different, and perseverance plays a huge role in achieving the CGMA qualification, she added.

The ability to turn financial information into business insight has never been more valuable. Selina’s experience shows that developing commercial awareness, strategic thinking, and leadership skills can enable you to expand your impact, contribute more broadly to your organisations, and build a career that goes far beyond the numbers.

Building the skills to influence business decisions

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Seeing the bigger picture

Growth beyond technical expertise

Balancing work, life, and professional development

A journey worth taking

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