Editor’s note: In today’s A Day in the Life interview, Julia Simatupang (pictured), Country Manager & Chief Representative, ACCA Indonesia shares with FutureCFO audiences how leading a cross-functional team helped her grow professionally and how she maintains work-life balance.
FutureCFO: What does a typical day look like for you?
Julia Simatupang (JS): A typical day for me involves a blend of strategic planning, team management, stakeholder engagement, and operational oversight. It begins with reviewing priorities and objectives for the day, which echoes ACCA’s tagline of "think ahead”and I ensure that becomes my daily practice.
That was followed by meetings with various stakeholders, including our members, university/education institution partners, government officials, and industry leaders.
Throughout the day, I work on driving initiatives to promote ACCA's vision and mission in Indonesia, ensuring alignment with global strategies.
In addition, I allocate time for analysing market trends, monitoring regulatory developments, and fostering relationships within the accounting community.
FutureCFO: What excites you the most when you work with CFOs and finance functions?
JS: Opportunities to collaborate with CFOs and finance functions are incredibly rewarding.
What excites me the most is the exchange of insights and ideas that occurs during my interactions with CFOs and finance functions.
Working closely with finance leaders allows me to gain valuable perspectives on industry challenges, emerging trends, and best practices. It's inspiring to witness the transformative impact that finance professionals can have on organisations and economies.
Moreover, the opportunity to support them in their professional journeys and contribute to their success is immensely fulfilling.
FutureCFO: Can you share an experience which was key to your professional growth?
JS: One experience that significantly contributed to my professional growth was leading a cross-functional team to launch a new product line in a highly competitive market.
This endeavour required me to leverage my leadership skills, strategic thinking, and ability to navigate ambiguity.
Throughout the process, I encountered numerous challenges, including resource constraints, market dynamics, and regulatory hurdles.
But by fostering collaboration, innovation, and resilience within the team, we successfully brought the product to market, exceeding expectations.
This experience taught me invaluable lessons in adaptability, perseverance, and the importance of embracing change as a catalyst for growth.
FutureCFO:Is there anything outside work that serves as an important inspiration to your work or life?
JS: Outside of work, my involvement in the Christian community plays a significant role in shaping both my personal and professional life.
Engaging in religious practices provides me with a sense of balance, purpose, and fulfilment that transcends the boundaries of my professional endeavours.
It not only helps me maintain a healthy work-life balance but also enriches my professional life by reinforcing values-based leadership, fostering a sense of purpose, and cultivating resilience within a supportive community.
This holistic approach to personal and professional development aligns seamlessly with ACCA's mission of using our expertise in accounting and finance as a force for public good, ultimately driving positive change in society.
