Student story. Mohamed ElSaadany
Please introduce yourself. Where are you from and what do you do in life now?
My name is Mohamed ElSaadany, and I currently work as Administration & Finance Manager for MAIRE Group in Egypt. I hold CMA and Dip. IFRS and actively pursuing the ACCA Qualification. I was honored to be named as global prizewinner for IFRS Dip. in June 2022 window.
I’ve 16 years experience in various finance fields like financial reporting, tax compliance & internal control analysis.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in finance?
Finance is the backbone of every organization. I was drawn to it because of its impact on decision-making, risk management, and long-term sustainability. It enables me to contribute meaningfully to both daily operations and strategic planning. I believe finance is essential for organizational progress, resources optimization, and risk mitigation.
Why did you decide to start your ACCA journey? What were your goals, dreams, and aspirations then?
I was inspired by ACCA’s comprehensive syllabus, which covers a wide spectrum of finance disciplines. My goal was to elevate my professional credibility and deepen my expertise. ACCA aligned perfectly with my aspirations for career growth and global recognition.
Why did you choose to pursue ACCA Qualification after completing DipIFR?
DipIFR gave me a solid foundation in IFRS, but ACCA offered a broader and more strategic perspective. Pursuing ACCA after DipIFR was a natural progression to gain broader expertise.
Take me to the moment when you realized that your hard work obtaining ACCA Qualification had eventually started paying off?
Each day in the journey was adding to my knowledge and capabilities. I began to see tangible improvements in how I streamlined workflows, reduced risks, and communicated with stakeholders. That’s when I knew the effort was paying off.
What were the biggest challenges on your ACCA journey?
Being a father of 2 and work responsibilities as finance manager for a group of companies made balancing work, study, and personal life the toughest part. The technical depth of subjects required intense focus and discipline.
How did you overcome them?
I created a structured study plan and applied real-world examples from my job to reinforce learning. Staying motivated by visualizing the long-term benefits helped me push through. Persistent even if small steps everyday made a big difference. As said, slow and steady wins the race.
Tell me how ACCA Qualification has helped you in your career so far? What does your life as an ACCA member look like?
ACCA has empowered me to lead with confidence. I now play a key role in risk assessment, collaborate across departments, and contribute to strategic financial decisions. Life as an ACCA student is about continuous learning and being part of a global professional network.
Would you recommend DipIFR holders to get ACCA Qualification? If so, why?
Absolutely. DipIFR is a great starting point, but ACCA equips you with a comprehensive toolkit to tackle complex financial challenges, lead teams, and influence strategy.
If you could give a single most important piece of advice to current ACCA students or those who haven’t decided to register for ACCA yet, what would it be?
Don’t wait for the “perfect time.” Start now, stay consistent, and remember that every step brings you closer to becoming a globally recognized finance professional.
