CIMA
From biotech to the head of finance: Farrah Aqlima’s journey with CIMA
13 Nov 2023
A career switch can be daunting, and often requires a great deal of determination and resilience. But with a forward-thinking mindset, self-motivation, and a knack for spotting opportunities, a successful transition can prove to be a rewarding experience - just ask Farrah Aqlima.
From biotech to finance
Initially trained as a biotechnologist, Farrah eventually found herself working as the Head of Finance at JobStreet Malaysia, by SEEK, one of Asia-Pacific’s prominent online employment companies.
Her journey from a science graduate to this position was a winding road, with no shortage of challenges. She initially pursued her degree in biotechnology at the esteemed University College London (UCL) in the UK. Her objective at the time was to set up work at a Pharmaniaga after graduation, a pharmaceutical company which was part of UEM Group.
However, during her second year of university, Farrah learnt that the company that she was set to join was unexpectedly divested by the parent company, UEM Group, which derailed her plans and injected a degree of uncertainty into her future.
This is where Farrah then set her sights on a new career path and began exploring opportunities in finance:
“In my third year of university, I took up business and accounting modules just to make sure that I equipped myself with the relevant knowledge and skillset.
I also took up CIMA. I was just learning that by myself.”
Studying CIMA with Kaplan
During her CIMA studies, Farrah found support from us at Kaplan, which “provided her with the knowledge needed to succeed in the unfamiliar waters of business and accounting.”
Farrah highlighted the importance of flexible study methods:
“I had the flexibility to choose the papers and the pace that I wanted.
UEM encouraged us to do a professional paper if you’re a non-engineering student, which I did. So that was definitely helpful. But it was a blessing in disguise that the company I wanted to go into got divested and I went into the corporate world.”
Farrah Aqlima at the Chartered Global Management Accountants’ recognition evening in 2017.
Work experience in finance
After graduating from university, studying CIMA, and returning to Malaysia, Farrah then had the autonomy to choose the industry that she wanted to pursue.
“I joined a management training programme, and I was quite privileged to be able to choose which operating companies I wanted to work in, and get to for about three to four years.
So, I joined Corporate Finance, Business Development and Strategy at UEM. That’s how I really started sinking my teeth into finance.
After four years at UEM doing research, running visibility studies, and working in commercial finance, I moved to Macquarie Group as an equity researcher. My role was to provide investment recommendations to our clients. Most of my days were spent on analysis, talking to the senior leadership to form a view of their company and ascertaining what their fair value is.
The role forced me to think creatively to stand against competitors. There are ten other companies, or research houses, doing the exact same thing as you do. So you need to stand out. You have to have an edge and really think outside the box.”
Farrah’s scientific background and ability to think strategically later took her to assume the role of Senior Manager of Marketplace Logistics at Lazada eLogistics during the height of the digital economy.
Here, she learnt the significance of capitalising on every opportunity that arose:
“It was very fast-paced, and it’s a very competitive industry, so it’s all about grabbing the opportunity and making it yours.”
These experiences provided Farrah with a unique perspective to rise swiftly through the ranks, eventually leading her to the role as the Country Head of Finance at JobStreet.
Success is no accident
“Switching from one scope to another can be a bit nerve-wracking, because you’re literally entering uncharted territory. The easy part is deciding to make a switch. But the hard part is when the time comes to put in the work even if you might fail.
My advice would be to weigh the pros and cons. Map out what you want to achieve. And most importantly, if you’re able to find someone who has gone through the same process, speak to that person because you need to make a well-informed decision before making a career change.
It’s not going to be easy, you’re no longer in your comfort zone. But it gets better and usually pays off. It’s not going to be easy but keep working hard.”
Watch the full conversation with Farrah
Study CIMA
If you’re feeling inspired by Farrah’s story, browse through our CIMA courses. We offer flexible online study methods to suit your schedule, and you can even subscribe to the full course so that you can learn at your own pace.
CIMA
From biotech to the head of finance: Farrah Aqlima’s journey with CIMA
13 Nov 2023
A career switch can be daunting, and often requires a great deal of determination and resilience. But with a forward-thinking mindset, self-motivation, and a knack for spotting opportunities, a successful transition can prove to be a rewarding experience - just ask Farrah Aqlima.
From biotech to finance
Initially trained as a biotechnologist, Farrah eventually found herself working as the Head of Finance at JobStreet Malaysia, by SEEK, one of Asia-Pacific’s prominent online employment companies.
Her journey from a science graduate to this position was a winding road, with no shortage of challenges. She initially pursued her degree in biotechnology at the esteemed University College London (UCL) in the UK. Her objective at the time was to set up work at a Pharmaniaga after graduation, a pharmaceutical company which was part of UEM Group.
However, during her second year of university, Farrah learnt that the company that she was set to join was unexpectedly divested by the parent company, UEM Group, which derailed her plans and injected a degree of uncertainty into her future.
This is where Farrah then set her sights on a new career path and began exploring opportunities in finance:
“In my third year of university, I took up business and accounting modules just to make sure that I equipped myself with the relevant knowledge and skillset.
I also took up CIMA. I was just learning that by myself.”
Studying CIMA with Kaplan
During her CIMA studies, Farrah found support from us at Kaplan, which “provided her with the knowledge needed to succeed in the unfamiliar waters of business and accounting.”
Farrah highlighted the importance of flexible study methods:
“I had the flexibility to choose the papers and the pace that I wanted.
UEM encouraged us to do a professional paper if you’re a non-engineering student, which I did. So that was definitely helpful. But it was a blessing in disguise that the company I wanted to go into got divested and I went into the corporate world.”
Farrah Aqlima at the Chartered Global Management Accountants’ recognition evening in 2017.
Work experience in finance
After graduating from university, studying CIMA, and returning to Malaysia, Farrah then had the autonomy to choose the industry that she wanted to pursue.
“I joined a management training programme, and I was quite privileged to be able to choose which operating companies I wanted to work in, and get to for about three to four years.
So, I joined Corporate Finance, Business Development and Strategy at UEM. That’s how I really started sinking my teeth into finance.
After four years at UEM doing research, running visibility studies, and working in commercial finance, I moved to Macquarie Group as an equity researcher. My role was to provide investment recommendations to our clients. Most of my days were spent on analysis, talking to the senior leadership to form a view of their company and ascertaining what their fair value is.
The role forced me to think creatively to stand against competitors. There are ten other companies, or research houses, doing the exact same thing as you do. So you need to stand out. You have to have an edge and really think outside the box.”
Farrah’s scientific background and ability to think strategically later took her to assume the role of Senior Manager of Marketplace Logistics at Lazada eLogistics during the height of the digital economy.
Here, she learnt the significance of capitalising on every opportunity that arose:
“It was very fast-paced, and it’s a very competitive industry, so it’s all about grabbing the opportunity and making it yours.”
These experiences provided Farrah with a unique perspective to rise swiftly through the ranks, eventually leading her to the role as the Country Head of Finance at JobStreet.
Success is no accident
“Switching from one scope to another can be a bit nerve-wracking, because you’re literally entering uncharted territory. The easy part is deciding to make a switch. But the hard part is when the time comes to put in the work even if you might fail.
My advice would be to weigh the pros and cons. Map out what you want to achieve. And most importantly, if you’re able to find someone who has gone through the same process, speak to that person because you need to make a well-informed decision before making a career change.
It’s not going to be easy, you’re no longer in your comfort zone. But it gets better and usually pays off. It’s not going to be easy but keep working hard.”
Watch the full conversation with Farrah
Study CIMA
If you’re feeling inspired by Farrah’s story, browse through our CIMA courses. We offer flexible online study methods to suit your schedule, and you can even subscribe to the full course so that you can learn at your own pace.
