From Accounting Foundations to International Finance Leadership

After graduating from Al-Ahliyya Amman University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, my professional journey began in external auditing at RSM in Kuwait. This experience provided me with a strong foundation in accounting principles, financial reporting, and professional discipline.

I later moved into corporate accounting, progressing from Junior Accountant to Senior Accountant and Chief Accountant before taking on finance management responsibilities in Saudi Arabia. Over the years, I expanded my expertise beyond traditional accounting to include financial planning, treasury, taxation, strategic decision-making, and leadership. Today, I serve as Head of Finance at CJ Logistics, a global South Korean logistics company, where I oversee the finance function and contribute to the company’s growth and operations in Saudi Arabia.

One of my proudest professional milestones was joining CJ Logistics Saudi Arabia during its establishment phase and taking responsibility for building its finance function from the ground up. This involved establishing financial policies and internal controls, developing reporting processes, supporting ERP implementation, managing banking facilities, and coordinating with international headquarters. This experience allowed me to move beyond managing financial transactions and become a business partner contributing to strategic decisions, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth.

Throughout my career, I faced the challenge of moving from technical accounting roles into financial leadership, where success requires not only accounting expertise but also strategic thinking, adaptability, and leadership. Establishing a finance function within a growing international organization also required managing tight deadlines, regulatory requirements, and diverse stakeholders. I overcame these challenges through continuous learning, taking ownership, embracing responsibility, and developing both my technical and leadership capabilities.

Al-Ahliyya Amman University played an important role in laying the foundation for my professional career. The knowledge I gained in accounting, finance, and business management, together with the discipline, critical thinking, commitment, and continuous learning I developed during my university years, prepared me to enter the professional world and gradually progress into a leadership role within an international organization.

My message to current students and recent graduates is simple: Focus on building a strong foundation rather than chasing job titles or immediate financial rewards. Be curious, take initiative, and never limit yourself to your job description. Your degree may open the first door, but your attitude, dedication, practical experience, and commitment to continuous learning will determine how far you go.

Looking ahead, my aspiration is to progress into senior executive financial leadership and ultimately take on a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) role within a leading multinational organization. I aim to continue developing my expertise in financial strategy, corporate governance, business transformation, and organizational leadership, while mentoring finance professionals and building high-performing teams.

For me, success is not only about reaching a senior position, but also about the value I create, the people I develop, and the lasting impact I leave behind.