Irreplaceable attributes in an AI world — Q&A with the CIMA president

CIMA president Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA, detailed the competencies that finance professionals need to navigate AI and how to transform "suffering" into growth and opportunity.

Ramosedi, also the co-chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and the CEO of Bayport Financial Services, joined the FM podcast to discuss the skills management accountants should prioritise, the core values and lessons that shaped him as a leader, and how different generations can work together to progress the finance function.

In the conversation, Ramosedi emphasised the importance of "suffering properly" and what he means by that. He also discussed future-proofing his company's business model during a time of disruption and why AI is changing the role of finance — not replacing finance professionals.

"Don't suffer and then you get through the suffering and there's nothing positive that you can show for it," Ramosedi said. "If you suffer, suffer properly, and learn from it and do something."

What you'll learn from this episode:

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• Three emerging trends management accountants need to prepare for.
• Why finance professionals can't "jump to AI" without first learning technical skills.
• The value of reverse mentoring as emerging technologies take hold.
• Ramosedi's recounting of a "humble" upbringing and his motto related to personal responsibility.
• Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic that helped Ramosedi transform disruption into opportunity.
• Why AI will not replace people.