Rai Chatterjee, ACMA, CGMA, built her career by combining a passion for finance with practical experience. Becoming CGMA qualified enabled her to move into investor relations, assume greater responsibility, and grow professionally.
For anyone curious about taking the next step towards breaking into finance or advancing their career, Rai’s experience shows what’s possible when you invest in yourself and your future with CIMA. With focus and determination, taking the first step can lead to new and exciting career opportunities and growth.
Bridging finance and capital markets
Rai holds a BSc degree in politics and economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. As a senior investor relations analyst at Independent Television plc (ITV plc), she plays a pivotal role linking finance and capital markets.
Her work involves financial analysis, stakeholder engagement, and investor communications — aligning corporate priorities with shareholder expectations to create long-term value and strengthen her organisation’s standing in the capital markets.
‘I bridge finance and capital markets to communicate the company’s financial strategy and performance to investors and investment banking equity research analysts. Collaborating closely with senior leadership, I craft transparent and consistent messaging that builds market confidence and supports strategic objectives’, she explained.
Finding purpose: A journey of application and growth
Rai's fascination with finance and its influence on business strategy began early.
After starting her studies with CIMA during the summer, she received her A-level results and an offer from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Rai wasted no time.
‘I began my CIMA journey early, passing my first exam the same summer I received my A-level results … After graduating with a degree in politics and economics, I worked full-time in finance while continuing my CIMA studies.’
Applying theory directly to live business situations gave the CGMA® qualification immediate relevance to Rai. Within three years of graduating, she earned her CGMA qualification and CIMA membership in 2024 — a milestone that felt both ‘rewarding and deeply meaningful’, she said.
‘Even before beginning my undergraduate degree at the London School of Economics, I knew I wanted a master’s-level qualification that combined analytical rigour with real-world application. CIMA stood out for its practical and strategic focus, connecting finance, operations, and people’, Rai said.
She experienced how the CGMA qualification blended technical depth and commercial insight, making it the ideal path to build a career at the intersection of business strategy and financial leadership.
Accelerating careers and creating opportunities
‘CIMA has been instrumental in accelerating my career and unlocking new opportunities. As I progressed through the strategic level, I transitioned into investor relations, a role that demands financial fluency, commercial acumen, and the ability to translate numbers into strategy.’
Rai credits the CGMA qualification for enhancing her credibility and strategic thinking.
‘[The CGMA qualification] enabled me to work effectively with senior leadership and key stakeholders to deliver high-impact communications that strengthen market engagement and corporate value.’
Turning studying into a purposeful journey
Like many aspiring CGMA professionals, Rai experienced the challenge of balancing full-time work with studies.
‘Balancing full-time work with professional studies required structure, consistency, and focus. I treated it as a long-term investment in myself, setting clear goals for each exam and maintaining perspective through the inevitable late nights.’
What kept her motivated was seeing the direct connection between what she was learning and real business decisions. ‘[That] kept me focused and resilient, turning study into a purposeful journey rather than an academic exercise’, she said.
‘CIMA’s modular structure gave me the flexibility to progress at my own pace while aligning study milestones with work commitments. As my responsibilities became more strategic, the content mirrored that evolution, reinforcing its relevance.’
For Rai, this flexibility made CIMA ‘not only compatible with my lifestyle but integral to my professional growth and development as a finance professional’.
Consistency is the key to success
Rai offers practical wisdom to those just beginning their studies: ‘Progress at your own pace and stay consistent. Every journey looks different, and that’s what makes it meaningful. The most rewarding part of studying with CIMA is when the concepts begin to connect with the real world, and when you see how business decisions, numbers, and people all come together.’
She added that CIMA goes beyond technical expertise; it helps you recognise the human side behind the numbers, ‘the stories, decisions, and values that drive them. It shapes how you think and lead, encouraging you to approach business with both commercial awareness and empathy, qualities that continue to guide you throughout your career.’
Rai’s story exemplifies how studying with CIMA can be a transformative experience as you build not just technical skills but also confidence, perspective, and leadership, equipping you for an exciting career in finance.
Hear more insights from CIMA members, including how drive and passion for finance paved Tapiwa Nyakudya’s path. You can also learn more about CIMA’s CGMA Professional Qualification.
