CGMA: Strategic leadership potential

Finance careers don’t look like they used to. Today’s management accountants aren’t just collecting data and reporting numbers. They’re shaping business strategy, solving problems, and influencing major decisions.

But as these roles expand, you need the skills and credibility to earn the seat at the table and lead with confidence.

Brent Quill, CPA (Australia), CGMA®, felt that transition firsthand — being a technical specialist and public accountant first provided an excellent financial foundation. He then transitioned into roles that required strategic decision-making.

But as my career progressed into broader leadership roles, it became clear that the role of finance was shifting from reporting the past to actively shaping decisions about the future, he said.

Technical expertise gets your foot in the door, but leadership skills, digital literacy, and business acumen can set you apart to lead and influence in modern finance careers.

From finance expert to business leader

Today’s leaders need the ability to connect financial, operational, and strategic priorities together to make decisions and create lasting impact. This looks like presenting to stakeholders, evaluating a new investment, or identifying business risks. Finance leaders see the bigger picture and can effectively communicate, influence, problem-solve, and make recommendations. Professionals now need skills beyond traditional accounting.

Combined, these abilities help leaders turn information into action.

To grow into this leader, you need a plan to enhance technical expertise, advance your business acumen, understand how your organisation works, and develop the leadership skills that drive change.

Brent wanted to strengthen his skills in strategy, business performance, and decision-making and chose the Chartered Global Management Accountant® (CGMA) qualification.

[The qualification] focuses on management accounting and strategic decision-making, not just technical accounting, said Brent, Director Corporate at Wodonga Council in New South Wales, Australia. For me, it was about formalising that broader capability — understanding not just the numbers but how those numbers inform strategy, risk, performance, and organisational outcomes.

Why credibility matters in leadership

Because roles extend beyond numbers, finance leaders need credibility. To influence business strategy, guide decision-making, and earn a seat at the table, leaders must be trusted for their expertise, judgement, and integrity.

As Brent regularly worked with executives and senior organisational leaders, he saw their trust in him increase after he earned his CGMA qualification.

It signals a broader perspective and an ability to translate financial insight into strategic advice, Brent said. More practically, [the qualification] has shaped how I approach decision-making. It reinforces the importance of forward-looking analysis, understanding value drivers, and balancing financial sustainability with service outcomes.

Taking the next steps in your leadership journey

The transition from your first finance role to broader business leader is gradual — it doesn’t happen overnight.

To move beyond technical ability into finance leadership roles requires an intentional plan that expands skillsets — volunteer for cross-functional projects, present to your managers, and learn how decisions are made. And that’s why Brent chose the CGMA qualification.

It complements my CPA background and reinforces that I operate at the intersection of finance, strategy, and organisational performance, he said. That has been important in moving into executive roles where the expectation is to lead across multiple disciplines, not just finance.

Ready to expand into a finance leader? Browse the career platform MyFuture to connect with more first-person stories, insights into accounting roles, guidance on building in-demand skills, and so much more.

Lead with confidence with the CGMA qualification

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