CFI Member Spotlight: From Local Accounting to Global Finance with Marlon

Marlon's journey is a powerful testament to the value of self-directed learning and global ambition. Initially an accidental accounting major in the Philippines, Marlon transformed his career through strategic skill development, transitioning from specialized roles in cost and accounting to advanced analytical roles, such as FP&A.

In this episode of Member Spotlight on FinPod, Marlon shares his candid experience navigating career pivots, the challenges of working fully remote across extreme time zones, and his ultimate goal of pursuing an international finance role in Europe.

This episode covers:

• The Accidental Accountant: Marlon's funny story of how a scholarship requirement, not ambition, led him to finance—and how he found his passion through professional experience.
• The Power of Self-Learning: How ChatGPT recommended CFI, leading him to pursue the FMVA® and BIDA certifications to build high-demand analytical skills like Financial Modeling.
• Mastering the Remote Challenge: Candid insights into the reality of a fully remote night shift role for a US company, including adjusting to time zone differences, cultural communication, and managing the lack of in-person interaction.
• The Skills Compound Effect: Marlon shares his advice for new professionals: avoid comparing your journey to others, focus on building skills one step at a time, and never stop investing in your education.
• Global Ambition: His motivation for pursuing an MBA and the BIDA certification: building a competitive profile for his ultimate goal of migrating to Sweden or Denmark for an international finance role.