In today’s business landscape, technical expertise is no longer enough to keep finance professionals at the top of their game. The demands on the finance function are changing fast, and those who fail to adapt risk being left behind.
Perdasille Mesina, Certified Management Accountant, has spent more than three decades working across audit, finance operations, change management, and C-suite leadership roles. Her message to aspiring and experienced finance professionals is clear: if you want to succeed, you must go beyond the numbers.
“Digital literacy is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but it is now a core capability for finance professionals,” Mesina tells Financial Adviser PH.
Capability building is no longer optional
Mesina says success now requires conscious capability building—not just improving what you already know, but actively seeking new skills that make you relevant in an ever-changing environment.
“There is a need to work continuously at keeping our finance capabilities sharp and relevant in an ever-changing world,” she explains.
For her, that means going beyond technical finance work to master areas like data visualization, data storytelling, and finance transformation. These skills don’t just enhance decision-making—they help finance professionals become strategic partners to the business.
The rise of finance transformation and systems expertise
With more organizations undergoing large-scale system upgrades and digital transformations, Mesina says there’s an increasing demand for systems accountants and finance experts who can bridge the gap between technology and strategy.
She adds that transformation isn’t only about adopting new tools—it’s about using them to create better business outcomes. That requires understanding the technology, aligning it with company goals, and translating its outputs into actionable insights for decision-makers.
Why storytelling matters in finance
Mesina believes one of the most overlooked skills in the profession is data storytelling—the ability to take complex numbers and present them in a way that leaders can understand and act on.
“More than just data analytics, data visualization, but also data storytelling,” she emphasizes.
Numbers on their own can be overwhelming, but when presented with a clear narrative, they become powerful tools for influencing strategy and driving results.
Embracing AI and emerging technologies
Finance professionals who embrace artificial intelligence will gain a competitive edge, Mesina says. AI isn’t here to replace finance—it’s here to enhance it. Those who understand its capabilities can automate repetitive tasks, analyze large data sets faster, and focus more on strategic decision-making.
She views AI fluency as part of a broader push toward digital literacy and sees it as a defining factor for the next generation of finance leaders.
Continuous learning as a competitive advantage
Mesina walks the talk when it comes to upskilling. She makes a conscious and continuous effort to expand her knowledge—reading books and articles, attending webinars, listening to podcasts, and engaging with professional communities.
“I adapt and embrace change with a mindset of growth and not fear,” she says.
She also leads by example, applying new tools in her own work and sharing her learnings with colleagues, reinforcing a culture of learning within her teams.
The bigger picture
For Mesina, the finance professionals who will stand out in the future aren’t necessarily the ones with the longest résumés or the most advanced degrees—they’re the ones who can blend technical skill with strategic thinking, communication, and digital fluency.
Her advice is simple but powerful: treat capability building as a career-long commitment, not a one-time requirement.
“Digital literacy is no longer a ‘nice to have,’” she says again. “It is now a core capability for finance professionals.”
In other words, the future of finance belongs to those who can do more than calculate the numbers—they can translate them into insights, strategies, and results that move the business forward.
