Financial management is often misunderstood as a back-office function—focused on reports, spreadsheets, and compliance. For Jerwin Dave Peralta, a Certified Financial Management Professional (CFMP®) working in audit, the profession has always meant something broader: understanding how decisions shape the future of a business.
“My journey into financial management started with my academic background,” Peralta says. He graduated with a degree in Financial Management from the University of Northern Philippines, drawn early on to how financial decisions influence direction and outcomes. “I’ve always been interested in how financial decisions shape the direction and success of a business.”
That interest deepened when he entered an audit firm right after graduation. The exposure proved formative. “Working in audit has exposed me to different industries and given me a deeper understanding of financial systems, risk management, and compliance,” he explains. What once lived in textbooks quickly became real. “It’s helped me see the real-world application of what I studied and how important financial accuracy and transparency are in any organization.”
Auditing multiple industries taught him an early lesson many finance professionals only learn later: context matters. “Each industry has its own financial priorities and challenges,” Peralta says. “There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy.” That realization shaped how he approaches financial decision-making—more analytical, more cautious, and more adaptable. “I’ve learned to be more flexible and analytical in my approach.”
Despite being early in his career, Peralta already understands that technical skill alone is not enough. “A strong career in financial management depends on a mix of technical skills, analytical thinking, and practical exposure,” he says. Budgeting, forecasting, and reporting form the foundation, but the real value comes from interpretation. “Being able to interpret data and provide meaningful insights beyond just the numbers” is what turns finance into strategy.
He also sees the profession evolving quickly. “Financial management is definitely evolving, especially with how fast technology and business environments are changing,” Peralta notes. Automation, AI, and advanced financial software are reshaping the role. “It’s no longer just about tracking expenses or preparing reports—today, financial managers are expected to be more strategic and forward-thinking.”
Still, technology brings new pressure. “One of the biggest challenges finance professionals face today is keeping up with rapid changes in technology and regulations,” he says. Add cybersecurity and data accuracy, and the stakes grow higher. His response is pragmatic: “Continuous upskilling is essential.”
For Peralta, financial management is not about mastering tools alone—it’s about growing into judgment. As a Certified Financial Management Professional, he is learning early that finance leadership is built through exposure, discipline, and the willingness to think beyond the spreadsheet.
