AUS alumna achieves high accolade in finance

Al-Shamsi is a member of the Emirates NBD Program for Accelerated Learning (PAL) for graduates. She was recently recognized by The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) for achieving first place at the regional level in the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB) and Chartered Accounting (ACA) Certificate Level Business, Technology and Finance exam.

The ICAEW Chartered Accountant qualification, the ACA, is one of the most advanced learning and professional development programs available. It is valued around the world in business, practice and the public sector. Similarly, the ICAEW CFAB is an internationally recognized certificate that teaches essential knowledge in business, finance and accounting.

Speaking about this great achievement, Al-Shamsi who graduated from AUS in Spring 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration­ with a major in finance and a minor in accounting from the School of Business Administration (SBA) said: “The ACA certificate is a globally recognized qualification that provides a more in-depth understanding of both finance and accounting. Since I am currently part of the PAL graduate program, I decided to apply through Emirates NBD to take the exam, especially that the company encourages us to gain our certification while working.”

However, working and studying at the same time was a challenge that Al-Shamsi was determined to overcome. “It was difficult, but I had to learn to manage my time. I found that with dedication and hard work, things can be managed despite the challenges. Practice and time management are key,” she said.

Looking forward to the future, Al-Shamsi said that she has her eyes set on building a career at Emirates NBD. “I was really happy and honored by the results, and I look forward to growing professionally at Emirates NBD and becoming an integral part of its operations,” she said.

AUS is well known for its School of Business Administration (SBA). QS World University Subject Rankings (2021) has named AUS among the top four universities in the Middle East for business and management studies, and number one in the UAE and among the top 200 universities globally for accounting and finance. SBA programs focus on experiential learning, which is facilitated by the technologically advanced Interactive Trading Floor (ITF). The ITF boasts 22 terminals that have the same live feeds, tools and software used in a typical Wall Street investment firms. SBA’s undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting successfully prepare students to undertake professional accounting certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Its finance major is also the first CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) partner program in the region, preparing students for the CFA level 1 exam.