CGMA designation: Cornerstone for a successful career
CGMA designation holders have gained sought-after skills in financial management, strategic planning, and more. Stephen Walsh shares his journey.
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We asked CGMA candidates studying for the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation and CGMA designation holders to share why they sought this distinction and how it benefits their careers. Gain inspiration from their stories to propel your career.
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Stephen Walsh, FCMA, CGMA, is Director – Managed services at KPMG Advisory in China. As a distinguished CIMA member, he serves as Chair of the AICPA & CIMA Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Area Committee, and member of the AICPA & CIMA North Asia Regional Engagement Group. This is his story.
The CGMA designation has been a cornerstone of my 40-year career journey. Honing my accounting, finance, and business management skills whilst studying at the College of Commerce in Dublin laid the foundation for my career advancement.
My professional journey led me to roles of increased responsibility. With each passing year, I’ve embraced new challenges and opportunities, steadily ascending the ranks of the corporate world.
The CGMA designation gave me an excellent foundation for the tasks I perform in my work, and the continuous learning and having achieved a globally renowned designation led me to jobs in the UK, Central Europe and Asia Pacific.
In my ten years at Electronic Data Systems in London, I wore many hats — from Controller to CFO — each role shaping me into the professional I am today.
During my tenure as CFO for IBM consulting, the strategic insight fostered by AICPA & CIMA proved instrumental in driving business growth and navigating complex sales environments. I spent more than 17 years at IBM, leading teams.
The CGMA designation gave me a huge advantage as I knew how to structure deals, build a business case, perform data analysis, and make data-driven recommendations to decision-makers.
Making a sale is not just about charming prospective clients over drinks and dinners; you need to demonstrate the value of the product or service, including cost efficiencies. Complex sales transactions also require project management — effectively managing projects is another skill strengthened through my studies for the CGMA designation.
Transitioning to my current role at KPMG in China, the CGMA designation empowered me in sales strategy, reporting, pricing, negotiations, and more. Achieving the CGMA designation and becoming a CIMA member cultivated my skills in executive-level business operations which has been essential to my career. ?
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