Tom Ly, CMA
Senior Financial Services Analyst
WorkSafeBC (WCB)

Hours worked per week:
37.5 hrs

Years at this position:
8 years

What is the best part of your job?
There are many aspects of my job that are cool. Contrary to public belief, a government-type company can be on the leading edge of industry development, best practices and innovations. My role revolves around three primary focuses: Financial management, process improvements and technology utilization. Having to always stay on top of what is happening, where we need to go and how we can get there is a fantastic way to utilize the forward-thinking CMA approach that we come to know as the Strategic Leadership Program (SLP). I think that‘s cool . . . working at a company that allows us to use what we learn.
Some specific examples of the above would include,  implementation of  a balance scorecard, KPI’s and using a strategy map.

What are some of the challenges you’re currently facing at work?
Changing company direction and changes in how we do things will be the constant challenge. Because I’m a change agent in the organization, the thing I like the most is also the thing that challenges me the most. As much as it is a cliche, change is truly constant.
My current challenge is to look at how we can re-vamp the corporate budgeting process and related systems.
This includes gap analysis of the differences among the divisions in terms of processes, culture and tool.
It is exciting because this could potentially allow for another dimension of financial reporting that is currently very difficult to do.

How is this position different from other jobs you’ve had?
The biggest difference between this job and jobs that I’ve had in the past is that I get a full day of work in and I still have time to balance my life with work. I have two young children (two and 4-years-old) and they take a large chunk of my (and my wife’s) time away from work. I feel very fortunate to be able to do a good job at work without taxing my home-life.

MY EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University, and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation.

Why did you choose to pursue a CMA?
The CMA designation represents to me a well-rounded, forward-thinking financial professional.
My job assumes that I have the underlying financial expertise. It takes it a step further and requires me to integrate processes and tools to make the financial gibberish make sense to the business.
By doing so, the organization gains from not only sound financial stewardship, but also an understanding of what is happening right now and more importantly, what is coming up in thenear future.

When did you complete your CMA program?
October 2007

MY FUTURE:
In five years time, professionally I hope to take on a senior management role in this organization. However, I do wish to be in the centre of all the action — that is — to manage change. Personally, there is not much that I wish for other than to continue being with my wife and to enjoy my kids growing up.