Climbing the corporate ladder requires more than just technical knowledge—it demands leadership, strategy, and the right qualifications. For Bren James Manlangit, a Certified Management Accountant (Australia), his career journey from a finance supervisor to a CFO exemplifies how leveraging leadership and a strong professional certification can dramatically change the course of one’s career. As told to Financial Adviser PH, Bren shared how his leadership approach and his CMA certification enabled him to reach senior management roles and global opportunities.
Bren’s career began as a finance supervisor in an auditing firm, where he developed a strong foundation in accounting, tax, and assurance services. However, it was his ability to embrace leadership and strategy that allowed him to take on progressively challenging roles. “I was able to transition from a technical role to leadership functions through consistent effort and taking on global projects,” said Bren.
A pivotal moment in his career was obtaining the CMA certification, which deepened his expertise in areas like cost management, performance evaluation, and risk assessment. “CMA helped me to transition into leadership roles and provided me with a broader strategic skill set. It gave me the tools to not only manage financial reports but also to drive decision-making and business success,” Bren explained. His advanced knowledge allowed him to contribute more effectively to organizational decision-making, which ultimately led to being considered for senior roles such as CFO.
Bren also emphasized the importance of continuous learning and networking in leadership. “If you want to continue to lead, you need to continue to learn,” he advised. “The CMA program enhanced my strategic decision-making abilities, making me more competitive in today’s corporate world.”
Today, Bren serves as a CFO in a US-based company, a role he was able to secure thanks to his CMA certification. His story shows how leadership skills, combined with the right qualifications like the CMA, can pave the way for career success and help individuals achieve their goals of reaching senior executive positions.
As Bren’s experience illustrates, obtaining a CMA certification isn’t just about gaining technical expertise—it’s about positioning yourself for long-term career growth and leadership opportunities.
