Sunday, September 22 is Accountant’s Day in Brazil, to celebrate those professionals who take care of finances and help us understand the complexities of the world of numbers. It is a date to recognize these people who work tirelessly to ensure that accounts are in order and that companies comply with tax laws and regulations.

To mark the date, FGV News interviewed Gabriel Fedelem, a student on the Accounting, Finance and Analytics Program at Fundação Getulio Vargas’ Sao Paulo School of Business Administration (FGV EAESP). He revealed that it was his manager who inspired him to choose this career, when he realized that accountants are fundamental to the smooth running of companies and people’s financial health.

The student said that Mario Henrique de Mello, his manager at Banco Safra, is a role model as a professional, with a powerful resume and solid knowledge of accounting, despite not being a qualified accountant. “Mario quickly identified the value that the Accounting, Finance and Analytics Program could add to my education,” he said.

Gabriel also said that his main motivation for studying accounting, finance and analytics is to broaden his education and help him become a more well-rounded and versatile professional. “I currently work in the Financial Planning & Analysis area at Banco Safra, and this program has a lot of synergies with some of the activities I’m responsible for at work. So, this is helping me improve my professional performance,” he said.

Read on to see the full interview:

1. Who inspired you to study accounting, finance and analytics?

I was inspired by Mario Henrique Vieira de Mello, my former manager at Banco Safra. He is an exceptional professional in the areas of financial services, strategic planning and corporate finance, with solid knowledge of accounting, although he is not a qualified accountant. He has a robust academic resume, with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering from the University of Sao Paulo, a graduate degree in business administration from Insper and a master’s of science in leadership and strategy from the London Business School.

2. How exactly did he motivate you?

Mario quickly identified the value that the Accounting, Finance and Analytics Program could add to my education. He emphasized the importance of acquiring knowledge of programming and data analysis, as well as deepening my understanding of finance, controllership and capital markets. He also stressed the possibility of becoming licensed as an accountant, which could be an advantage in my career.

3. What is your relationship with this person?

I had the privilege of having Mario as my manager at the start of my career at Banco Safra. He not only guided me professionally, but also became a friend. When I expressed an interest in studying for a second degree, Mario, in partnership with the company’s HR department, worked to secure a financial incentive to help me move forward with this decision.

4. Do you remember something notable this person said?

Mario liked to advocate “winning models.” He always emphasized successful best practices that he had learned throughout his professional career. This not only helped standardize our deliveries in terms of quality and look, but also ensured that they featured our team’s “brand.” Another idea he always reinforced was the need to be humble, recognizing possible mistakes and acting to correct them. He would say, “Let’s not fight with the numbers.” He always stressed the importance of evaluating our clients’ questions, saying that if there is a problem in a report, it is our role to correct it.

5. What motivated you to take this course?

My main motivation for studying accounting, finance and analytics is to broaden my education in order to become a more well-rounded and versatile professional. I currently work in the Financial Planning & Analysis area at Banco Safra, and this program has a lot of synergies with some of the activities I’m responsible for at work. So, this is helping me improve my professional performance. I believe that this training will allow me to discuss accounting topics with confidence, improve my analytical skills and develop new competencies, such as programming, which are increasingly in demand in the market. Based on this solid foundation, I hope to get up to date with financial best practices, which is crucial for anyone who wants to stand out in such a competitive market. In addition, the program’s structure caught my attention, as it offers training that combines traditional areas, such as business and finance, with learning about emerging technologies. This integration of knowledge seemed to me to be a unique opportunity to grow professionally in a situation of rapid change.

To find out more about the Second Accounting, Finance and Analytics Undergraduate Program at FGV EAESP, click here.

This article is part of a special series called Inspiring Examples. Read the other articles, based on other commemorative dates:

• World Communications Day
• Public Administrator’s Day
• Social Scientist’s Day
• Lawyer’s Day
• Economist’s Day
• Administrator’s Day