Eduard Ortega, a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) accredited by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) Australia, exemplifies the blend of technical mastery and visionary leadership that defines modern finance professionals. A graduate of De La Salle Lipa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, Eduard became a Certified Public Accountant in 2015 after passing the CPA Board Examination, cementing his place in the profession’s elite. Over the past nine years, he has built an impressive track record as Senior Partner at Gayayblyg Alday & Co. and Founder & CEO of Remotely Philippines, where his expertise in PAS, PFRS, IFRS, and US GAAP has guided audits for industries ranging from hospitality and real estate to finance and not-for-profits. His entrepreneurial drive has propelled Remotely Philippines into the Top 100 Bookkeeping Firms in the country, while also earning recognition as one of the World’s Happiest Workplaces. An in-demand speaker and panelist, Eduard’s commitment to excellence has been honored with accolades such as the “Caught in the Act” Award from a US-based audit firm. Now pursuing his Executive MBA at the Asian Institute of Management, he continues to merge academic excellence with impactful leadership.
Discovering CMA Philippines – When asked, “How did you discover CMA Philippines?” Eduard shared that it began with a simple Google search while exploring opportunities to broaden his expertise beyond traditional accounting. Seeking a certification that would complement his CPA and enhance his business acumen, he found CMA to be the perfect fit—an unexpected turning point that would elevate his career.
“I came across CMA Philippines through a Google search while exploring ways to expand my skillset beyond traditional accounting. I was looking for a certification that would complement my CPA and elevate my business acumen. That simple online search turned out to be a game-changer in my career.”
From Technical Expertise to Strategic Leadership – In response to “In what ways has being part of CMA helped your career grow?” Eduard explained that the program sharpened his data-driven decision-making, business strategy, and leadership skills. It gave him the tools to transition from purely technical work to taking on strategic and influential roles, approaching challenges with a holistic, business-oriented mindset.
“The CMA program significantly enhanced my data-driven decision-making, business strategy, and leadership capabilities. It provided me with the right tools to transition from a purely technical role to a more strategic and influential position. It shaped how I approach problems—not just from a numbers perspective, but with a broader, business-oriented mindset.
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Driving Business Growth and Credibility – On “How has CMA helped you in your current profession?” Eduard emphasized that the certification strengthened his leadership mindset and directly contributed to the growth of both Remotely Philippines and his audit firm. It has empowered him to anticipate challenges, make informed strategic choices, and navigate operational and financial complexities with confidence. For Eduard, the CMA is not just a credential—it’s a cornerstone of his leadership journey and a driving force behind his continued success. Eduard ended the interview of his certification as he said,
“Being a CMA has helped me build a stronger leadership mindset and contributed directly to business growth at both Remotely Philippines and my audit firm. It allows me to think ahead, make informed strategic choices, and lead with confidence. The CMA designation gives credibility to my decisions and supports me in navigating both operational and financial complexities.”
