A Certified Management Accountant (CMA) of ICMA Australia, Paula Shella “Ella” I. Aquino has forged an exemplary career bridging technical accounting expertise with strategic leadership. With twenty years of cross-sector experience spanning government and corporate finance, she has developed a unique ability to transform financial operations into strategic advantages. Her career trajectory – from manufacturing, aviation and shipping sectors to public service and now multi-industry consulting – demonstrates her exceptional adaptability and commitment to professional growth.
Currently directing business process outsourcing engagements, Ella oversees complex financial operations across technology, healthcare and agricultural sectors. In a recent CMA interview, she revealed her professional philosophy: “The most valuable financial leaders don’t just report numbers – they interpret data to drive strategic decisions and create sustainable value.” This mindset underpins her success in leading accounting, payroll and taxation functions while mentoring emerging professionals through Adamson University’s alumni network and her work with the Asia Pacific Accounting Technical Working Group.
Reflecting on her CMA journey with ICMA Australia, Ella shared key insights about the certification’s impact. When the CMA asked “What motivated your pursuit of this certification?” she explained: “I was introduced to CMA by my mentor, who is also a Certified Management Accountant. Since I already practicing management accounting in my profession, I saw the CMA program as a natural extension of what I do—but with deeper strategic and global perspectives. I became even more interested after learning how the course emphasizes strategic management accounting, which aligns with my goal of delivering greater value to clients. For me, earning the CMA designation is more than just a credential—it represents integrity, professionalism, and a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards in my field.” This dual focus has been instrumental in her advisory work with startups and SMEs, where she balances compliance requirements with growth-oriented financial strategies.
The CMA followed with ” In what ways has being part of CMA helped your career grow?” Ella emphasized: “Being a CMA has significantly elevated my professional credibility and equipped me with a strategic lens for financial decision-making. It reinforced the value of combining technical expertise with business insight—enabling me to deliver more meaningful advice to clients. The designation also helped open doors to higher-level leadership roles, including my current position as Partner and Technical Working Group Leader in Outsourcing operations. More importantly, it has deepened my confidence to lead, mentor, and contribute to the growth of both clients and teams.” For professionals considering the program, she offers this counsel: “The CMA’s true value emerges when you apply its principles to solve real business challenges – it’s a mindset transformation as much as a skillset advancement.” This approach continues to guide her work as she helps organizations navigate complex financial landscapes while maintaining rigorous professional standards. She coontinued her story by sharing how CMA certification helped her in her current profession “The CMA certification has not only equipped me with essential frameworks for decision-making, cost management, and performance evaluation, but it has also provided me with greater recognition and credibility within my professional circle. It has earned the respect of my peers, strengthened my standing within the firm I belong to, and reinforced the trust of the staff who look up to me for guidance. Most importantly, it has enhanced the confidence of clients who continue to patronize our accounting and management services, knowing they are being supported by a certified and strategically grounded professional.”