Globally accredited qualifications place corporate leaders with global perspectives. Global CEO Magazine connects with Mr Venkkat Ramanan, the Regional Vice President of the Asia Region at AICPA and CIMA.
Q: Can you tell us about your role as the Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and how you have been leading your team to support the growth and development of management accounting professionals in the region?
Think of a profession with 0.7 million members and students across 183 countries who work for more than 125,000 companies in both the public and private sectors. These professionals help organisations survive, succeed, adapt, and thrive, thereby driving economies forward.
Our role is to support them by engaging with governments, regulators, and key decision-makers. We aim to grow the profession significantly by leveraging technology and adapting to the changing needs of businesses and a new generation of professionals.
This is where AICPA and CIMA come in, leading the charge to make the profession dynamic and relevant, ensuring our members can effect positive changes in their organisations and economies.
Q: How do you use your strategic storytelling and change management skills to influence decision-making, drive business transformation, and empower teams to achieve their full potential?
Inspiration starts with a story. It sets the narrative, stimulates creativity, and establishes the theme of what needs to be done. People are central to this process. Storytelling connects the dots, clarifying what needs to be done and the role each person plays. Innovation happens when diverse people come together, using technology as a tool. Change management and storytelling are essential to influence impact with the people we work with.
Q: As a Fellow Chartered Management Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant, how do you leverage your expertise to drive meaningful change and innovation?
Being a Chartered Global Management Accountant is about more than just numbers. We help drive business change and sustainability. Consider a CEO aiming to grow an organisation and create both shareholder and social value. They need skilled finance professionals to achieve this. CFOs and Chartered Global Management Accountants collaborate with CEOs to navigate risks, allocate resources, and address social and regulatory issues. They bring technical skills, business acumen, and leadership abilities to guide organisations through change.
Q: You are also a Certified Master Performance Coach and NLP Master Coach. How do you use empathy, ethical business practices, and exceptional people skills to help others overcome personal and professional barriers?
People are at the core of what we do. It’s a people-first approach. To drive change, we must first understand and change ourselves. Neuro-linguistic programming and performance coaching help us see our inner selves and make necessary changes. Coaching guides others to realise their potential and succeed. Empathy and emotional intelligence are key to connecting with and supporting others.
Q: How do you incorporate your learning from executive education at INSEAD and the FinTech Programme at the Saïd Business School, Oxford University, into your approach to leadership, coaching, and driving meaningful change?
Continuous learning is crucial. Even after qualifying 20 years ago, I recognise the importance of learning, unlearning, and relearning. Programmes like the Oxford FinTech programme help me understand industry changes and engage meaningfully with stakeholders. The INSEAD leadership Programme enhances my journey, providing networking opportunities and further learning. Continuous self-improvement allows me to stay relevant and make a meaningful impact.
