From AAT student to Chief Financial Officer – Marina Chase’s meteoric rise

Marina Chase MAAT is Chief Financial Officer at Caribbean Airlines Ltd, the largest airline in the Caribbean. She is the first female CFO of the company.

In our interview, she talks about how she decided to study for her AAT qualification because she was unable to stay on at school to complete her A levels; how she has found the AAT qualifications practical and invaluable as a springboard to fantastic career opportunities; and how technology and communication skills are an increasingly important part of an accountant’s job.

What is your role?

I am chief financial office CFO of Caribbean Airlines Ltd, the largest airline in the Caribbean and the first female CFO of the company. Currently it is a very challenging time for the airline industry because of the volatility in fuel prices, the sudden spikes in Covid infections which mean countries close their borders, and the war in Ukraine. All these are challenging scenarios and mean that there is a lot of uncertainty.

The AAT Level 4 accounting technician qualification really helped propel my career to the highest level – to be CFO of a company. It was the foundation that gave me the flexibility to develop

What qualifications do you have?

I am AAT Level 4, a Certified Chartered Accountant, a fellow member of the ACCA and the Institute of Chartered Accountants. I am also a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) having attained credentials from the Association of Financial Professionals of the USA. Also, I have conducted studies in Business Management having attained my Diploma in Management from Cipriani College. Overall, my extensive background broad in the accounting and corporate finance field spans over 35 years with over 27 years at corporate Level.

What prepared you for this current high level role?

It is a combination of my qualifications, my years of experience, not just in the airline industry but my roles in Treasury and company operations, and my ability to relate to people. People skills are very important.

Why did you decide to follow this career route?

I come from quite humble beginnings, and I left school at 17 and did not have option to complete my A levels because of my family situation. I looked for an opportunity to start studying for a professional qualification in accountancy as a springboard for my career. I studied for AAT Level 4 over three years by going to accountancy school in the evenings after I had finished my work for the day.

How has AAT helped you?

The AAT Level 4 accounting technician qualification really helped propel my career to the highest level – to be CFO of a company. It was the foundation that gave me the flexibility to develop my skills in a variety of fields. I have had roles in business management, data management and cash management as well as people management.

After completing my AAT Level 4 qualification, I gained MAAT status and was promoted and became assistant accountant. Then I gained further promotions to become account controller and treasury senior manager.

How is the role of the accountant evolving?

Technology is changing the role of the accountant. Machine learning and AI means that the role of the number cruncher will disappear. As a result of Covid these trends are moving very fast. A robot can now process the figures and disseminate that information for you – so the accountant’s job has become one of analysing and communicating that information. It is important for today’s accounting technicians to think broadly about the kind of roles they are interested in because there is a broad range of opportunities, and not just in traditional accountancy.

What do you like most about your job?

I like risk management which is a key area in my present job. I would recommend this area to new accountants because it is very rewarding and can be quite lucrative. I also enjoy the corporate finance side of the CFO role.

It is important for today’s accounting technicians to think broadly about the kind of roles they are interested in because there is a broad range of opportunities, and not just in traditional accountancy.

What skills do you need in your current role?

You need soft skills – emotional intelligence and people skills, and you need the hard number skills. You need to be able to communicate effectively with people, display empathy and influence. Another important soft skill is relationship management and being able to maintain positive relationships withr both internal stakeholders and external stakeholders. In short, you need to be able to relate to people but also make things happen.

At the highest level of CFO you need to be able to look at the financial data and be insightful and analyse the numbers. You need to be able to project growth and understand where value has been added and make projections for the future.

What tips would you give to students who are starting out?

When you are working or studying, think about where you would like to be in the future. Take time to research what is happening now, how technology is changing the role, and get a sense of what you really want to do.

Marina Chase’s CV

2019 Chief Financial Officer, Caribbean Airlines Ltd

2007 Senior Manager, Treasury & Financial Management

2006 Finance Manager, Tobago Express

1985 Regional Financial Controller, McCann Port of Spain

Further reading

• Starting your career in finance
• Is finance right for you?
• What’s it like being an accountant or a bookkeeper?
• The benefits of working in finance

Marianne Curphey is an award-winning financial writer and columnist, and author of the book How Money Works. She worked as City Editor at The Guardian, deputy editor of Guardian online, and has worked for The Times, Telegraph and BBC.