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THE VIEW FROM THE PRESIDENT
MELANIE JANINE KANAKA, FCMA, CGMA
s president of CIMA and the profession is heading in an
co-chair of the Association increasingly uncertain and
Aof International Certified complex world.
Professional Accountants, I feel it
is a privilege to be part of and lead Data-led insights
an organisation based on the four As management accountants, we
fundamentals of learning, ethics, know how a business fits together,
trust, and professionalism. Since how internal systems and controls
my election back in June, I have function, and where risks can be
had the opportunity to meet with mitigated and opportunities
many of our members, students, explored. Our partners look to us
employers, and stakeholders in to offer the data-led insights that
Canada when I visited for CIMA fuel strategic decision-making and
Canada’s 50th anniversary business solutions that foster
celebrations. innovation. This knowledge forms
One thing that really struck me the basis of the value we add to our
in many of these conversations organisations.
was how far we have come as a Because of this we are valued
profession, from focusing on cost Why trust matters and trusted by some of the best
management to transitioning to a employers around the world. In an
key function that helps lead era where trust is undermined by
decision-making, foster business ‘As the business world continues uncertainty and misinformation,
resilience, and create long-term earning and retaining the CGMA
value by being a valued, trusted to rapidly evolve, the need for designation gives finance
partner. We didn’t get here by trust in our profession grows professionals credibility.
accident. Changing technologies and
even stronger.’ new ways of working continue to
Trusted business partners disrupt the world at a rapid speed,
Trust, built on ethics and integrity, is a fundamental and businesses that don’t adapt will be left behind. In
reason that management accountants now sit at the this disrupted environment, we have the opportunity
heart of modern business strategy and transformation. to bring our skills and focus on trust and ethics to the
As the business world continues to rapidly evolve, the fore. Using the learning, development, and guidance
need for trust in our profession grows even stronger, resources available from AICPA & CIMA, we can keep
which is why I have made this a key part of my ourselves at the leading edge of the business
presidential platform, “Step forward and lean in”. transformation process.
In recent years, we have had to adapt to To sustain the place of the finance function as the
situations ranging from the global pandemic, a war heart of the decision-making process, we must
in Ukraine to crippling of international supply continue — at every job and level, in every community
chains, and an overall global economic downturn. and country — to uphold the highest ethical standards,
Those with the CGMA designation have stepped guiding and directing the organisations we serve to do
forward and dealt with these events, proving the business responsibly.
value of management accounting to a new The world is moving fast — and we can be certain
generation of decision-makers and business there will be more radical change. We must, though,
leaders. We have been a stabilising force for our never lose sight of the core elements of our success: the
organisations. trust that our business partners place in us because of PHOTO BY DALE MARTIN
I believe the strategic value of finance professionals our ethics, integrity, and commitment to learning. As
increased during the pandemic. This increase is not a we step forward together, I will remain resolutely
blip; I am convinced it is an indicator of the direction committed to these fundamental values.
FM-MAGAZINE.COM October 2022 I FM MAGAZINE I 5
