Theresa Mlikota is very proud to become a FINSIA Senior Fellow. She says the support of her peers and colleagues has been instrumental in her career success.
“I have worked with many fine finance, resources and construction industry professionals. Over the course of my career, they have provided guidance, mentorship and career opportunities, which have brought me to where I am today,” says Theresa.
She notes there have been a number of standout milestones during her time working in banking and finance.
“The highlights have been establishing great friendships and assisting other finance professionals with their career development. Volunteering with organisations such as Activ, The Salvation Army and Social Ventures Australia has been personally rewarding and great fun as well,” says Theresa.
Prioritising professionalism
Theresa says professional bodies like FINSIA play a pivotal role creating high-conduct standards for members to uphold.
“This sets our members apart from other banking and finance industry members in the maintenance of ethics and professionalism and in the quality of the services they deliver. FINSIA membership, much like membership of the professional accounting bodies, establishes a market expectation for the delivery of a professional approach,” she explains.
As Theresa outlines, governance and compliance standards continue to evolve with changing societal expectations and new technologies.
“It is increasingly important professional bodies play an active role in establishing high professional standards across the banking and finance industry. This ensures our profession keeps pace with change and, importantly, applies a level of practicality and commerciality to the standards being set,” she says.
Nevertheless, the ever-increasing challenge and cost of meeting high governance and compliance standards is a hurdle many organisations face.
“In spite of these issues and their associated costs, the overall level of professionalism, standards of compliance and transparency in reporting in banking and finance have improved dramatically over the past 30 years,” says Theresa.
“Good organisations naturally embed these processes into their daily operations through technology, providing them with higher-quality information and better decision making,” she adds.
Theresa’s advice to emerging professionals is to be your authentic self and be a good human. “Don't take yourself too seriously. That will get you a long way to being the most professional person you can be.”
Outside of work, Theresa relishes being part of two very large families in Western Australia and Victoria.
“There is nothing more important than spending time with these amazing people,” she says.