Edgardo S. Cabalde, CMA®, is a seasoned finance executive with over 30 years of leadership experience, including more than a decade as Chief Financial Officer. His Certified Management Accountant (CMA®) designation reflects his expertise in strategic financial management, performance analysis, and decision support—competencies central to a distinguished career spanning external audit, automotive, confectionery, oil and gas, renewable energy, fintech, and FMCG. His leadership responsibilities have extended across Southeast Asia, with notable achievements including leading the retirement of a ₱6.8 billion debt portfolio, securing more than ₱2 billion in financing, and providing finance leadership on the USD 1 billion+ Malampaya offshore gas project.
Cabalde’s credentials are further reinforced by his graduate membership in the Institute of Corporate Directors and his leadership role as Co-Chair of the Ethics & Governance Committee of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX). His experience as a CFO in publicly listed companies and regional leadership roles demonstrates his capacity to navigate complex financial environments with strategic foresight, financial discipline, and governance rigor. Through his CMA® credential and extensive record of value creation, he exemplifies the qualities of a trusted finance leader committed to operational excellence, ethical governance, and sustainable organizational growth.
Your CMA Story
How did you discover CMA Philippines?
“From a former officemate in Shell who is teaching in CMA as well.”
How does CMA help you in your current profession?
“More evident for me is the expansion of my network. It allowed me to hire people I met in the CMA class. CMA also cemented the things that I’ve been doing already in my job, but with more insights from other students and professor.”
What advice would you give to someone considering joining CMA?
“Do it — but go in with intention. The CMA credential isn’t just a line on your CV; it reshapes how you think about management accounting, cost strategy, and financial decision-making. Study it the way you’d study a business problem: understand the why behind every framework. And use the CMA community actively — the network and the ethical standards it upholds are as valuable as the letters themselves. This will also expand your network specially when you mature in your role.”
What program and batch did you attend?
“I am not sure, but it was sometime in 2013.”