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THE VIEW FROM THE PRESIDENT

PAUL ASH, FCMA, CGMA

s I write to you my final must continue to seize these
column as CIMA opportunities because we are bold
A president, we have seen enough to change, lead, and adapt.
that growth ambitions within our The challenges of the last few
businesses are high, and years have elevated the role and
stakeholder expectations — of insights of the finance function.
investors, customers, and Organisations came to rely on
employees — are even higher as finance professionals to guide
we continue to emerge from this them through. Technologies we
pandemic. The years ahead will be predicted to become mainstream
driven by a mindset of within years did so within
stewardship and sustainability months. Artificial intelligence,
that prioritise the needs of all software developments, machine
stakeholders while accelerating learning, and so much more have
innovation to create lasting enabled faster data processing,
businesses and positive societal more accurate forecasting, and the
values. ability to work from anywhere.
As stakeholders shift to This new approach to business
considering more than just integrity, and the rising
financials, finance’s role is importance of finance, will bring
evolving as well, as we find in new generations of accounting
ourselves now creators and and finance professionals because
caretakers of organisational value. we are purpose-led and are
Today’s finance professional is Integrity is tapping into the values that the
now responsible for protecting the next generation craves. It also
organisation and its assets, and helps that the role of the
creating value for stakeholders. the future accounting and finance
This new definition of business professional is even more integral
integrity is more holistic and looks and at the core of driving
at all aspects of business. ‘Business leaders look to us sustainable economic growth and
With this ever-changing prosperity.
environment as well as mindset for our data-based insights As management accountants,
shift, stakeholders have seen how which help fuel strategic we can help build trust, integrity,
profit and reputation are now and purpose.
more closely intertwined. decision-making.’ Business leaders look to us for
Behaviour and influence have our data-based insights, which
earned seats at the table next to innovation and agility help fuel strategic decision-making. We know that with
— all critical determinants of trust and success in the our counsel, scenario-planning, and analytical
post-pandemic era. skillsets businesses will be successful.
As trusted advisers of businesses, government, and As management accountants, we know how the
purpose-driven organisations, our profession drives aspects of a business fit together and how internal
productivity, leverages technology solutions, evolves systems function. It is more than seeing where risks
business models, and enhances opportunities for can be mitigated, but also seeing where opportunities
sustainable, long-term growth and prosperity. can be explored.
We embraced all of these characteristics at the We dared together this year and need to be even
beginning of the pandemic when we were all forced to more daring in the future. I am in awe of the incredible
pivot, reprioritise, and adapt quickly with rapid work I have witnessed from our profession over the
workplace and lifestyle changes. Now, two years on and past two years. I am honoured and humbled by the grit
planning for a post-pandemic landscape, many of these and determination of our profession. It has been my
adaptations are here to stay. pleasure to work for you as your president and
Major changes came in the form of new Association chair. Thank you for your support and the
technologies. Finance is at the forefront of opportunities we have had to dare together. I have no
organisational and digital transformations, where we KEEP IN TOUCH doubt that our profession will remain at the heart of all
are using data analytics to digest large sets of data, Follow me businesses, remain a most valued partner for all those
including the nontraditional metrics that demonstrate on Twitter: we serve, and continue to represent what we have
an organisation’s value to its external environment. We @CIMA_President always stood for — “Honesty, Accuracy, and Justice”.

FM-MAGAZINE.COM June 2022 I FM MAGAZINE I 5