Lani Mitchell has built a career grounded in numbers—but it’s her mindset that’s kept her ahead. A Certified Management Accountant (Australia) and holder of multiple designations including Certified Global Professional Accountant (CGPA) and MBA Global (University of Western Australia), Mitchell represents a new breed of finance professionals—those who blend sharp technical skills with cross-functional leadership.
But for all her qualifications, she makes one thing clear: “Technical skills alone won’t save you anymore,” she says. “They’re just the starting point.”
In today’s fast-moving business environment, Mitchell says that success in finance requires far more than mastery of spreadsheets or accounting principles. “You need to be able to adapt, lead teams, manage change, and make decisions that support strategy—not just process transactions.”
With experience across finance, HR, and administration, Mitchell has had to pivot fast and often. “I’ve worked in roles that pushed me out of my core discipline. But what helped me thrive wasn’t just knowledge—it was my ability to lead, communicate, and learn on the fly.”
To stay competitive, Mitchell commits to lifelong learning. In addition to her CMA and CGPA certifications, she continues to attend training programs in tax strategy, financial modeling, internal consulting, and digital transformation. She also invests heavily in upgrading her digital skills—especially around ERP systems like SAP and Oracle, and in using data analytics to inform decision-making.
“Technology is changing how finance works,” she says. “If you’re not keeping up, you’re falling behind. But it’s not just about using tools—it’s about knowing how to think strategically with them.”
What separates good professionals from great ones, according to Mitchell, is not just capability but mindset. “Be the person who connects the dots—between finance and strategy, between numbers and people. That’s what leaders are looking for.”
She also emphasizes the importance of soft skills. “The ability to influence, to communicate clearly, to lead with integrity—those are the traits that make someone stand out.”
Her advice to jobseekers and mid-career professionals: “Certifications add credibility, but your relevance comes from how you apply what you know—across roles, across industries, across cultures. The job market is changing, but you can future-proof yourself by staying curious, adaptable, and committed to growth.”
In a field that traditionally rewarded technical precision, Mitchell believes it’s the human side of finance that now drives success.
“You don’t have to know everything,” she says. “But you have to be willing to evolve.”
