Arlene Hernandez Salay

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What does your role entail at lecocqassociate?

I manage the accounts and finance operations of lecocqassociate's Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices.  At a Group level, I am responsible for the consolidation and analysis of the financial reports of all offices: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Malta and Geneva.

Tell us about your academic and professional background.

I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from the University of the East in Manila, Philippines. In 2016, I received my Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) specialising in Finance from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom.

My career started as an Auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Philippines and gradually joined the corporate world handling general accounting, financial reporting, controllership and internal audit. Prior lecocqassociate, I worked with Stafford Global as the Group Financial Controller and with Gulf Film as the Assistant Group Consolidation Manager.

‍What do you consider to be your biggest professional achievement?

I have always been heavily involved in setting up systems and controls and streamlining processes. I believe that my biggest professional achievement would be that I have helped the companies I have worked with in this area, and were able to facilitate and ensure that the systems in placed are followed and implemented consistently.

‍What is the most impactful thing you have done?

The most impactful thing I have done would probably be during a liquidity crunch of one of the companies I have worked with, I was able to quickly anticipate the problem arising, hence we were able to put immediate counter measures such as proper managing of receivables and collections and controlling expenses, including providing charts for short-term budgeting.  Because of this, cash were properly handled and the effect of the crunch became manageable.

‍How many languages do you speak?

I speak English and Tagalog fluently.

What drives you?

I would say that it has always been my family who drives and inspires me.

‍Business aside, what do you enjoy doing when you are not in the office?

When I am not in the office, I usually just spend my time at home to take care of the family and Lexi, our dog, and do and calculate my personal budget and liquidity: short-term and long-term! I also love changing hair colors and I do this especially when I am stressed.

‍What is your secret talent?

I can drive a manual car and push-start a car with a dead battery LOL.