Profiles in Financial Mastery: Cherrie Mae M. Manuel, CFMP®
Cherrie Mae M. Manuel, CFMP®, is a distinguished academic leader and educator whose expertise in financial management is formally recognized through her attainment of the Certified Financial Management Professional (CFMP®) designation. Her professional standing is exemplified by her current role as Dean of the College of Business Administration at Baguio Central University (BCU), a position that underscores her leadership in shaping financial management education and developing future professionals in the field.
Motivation for Pursuing the CFMP® Designation
“I was motivated to pursue the Certified Financial Management Professional (CFMP®) designation after I finished my doctoral degree and came across the certification on social media. As someone who specialized in Financial Management, I felt that earning the CFMP® would be a meaningful way to further strengthen my professional credentials and align my expertise with a recognized certification in the field.
In addition, I saw it as an opportunity to continue developing myself professionally beyond academic achievements. When I went on my three-month maternity leave, I intentionally used that time as a productive opportunity to pursue the CFMP®. This allowed me to focus on personal growth, strengthen my knowledge in financial management, and invest in a credential that supports both my academic role and professional development.”
Preparation Approach and Challenges Encountered
“I prepared for the CFMP® certification process during my maternity leave, which made the experience both meaningful and challenging. Since I had my newborn baby with me at home, managing my time and energy was not easy. Adjusting to motherhood while studying required a lot of patience, discipline, and determination. However, I still pursued the certification because I wanted to remain productive during that period and give myself a positive goal to focus on. It also helped me stay mentally strong and avoid feeling isolated or overwhelmed while staying at home full-time with my baby.
To make the process manageable, I studied the modules one at a time and ensured that I truly reviewed and understood each lesson before moving forward. I did not rush the learning process because I wanted to be confident and prepared, and I also wanted to avoid failing the examination. Despite the challenges, I remained committed and consistent, which helped me successfully complete the certification process.”
Professional and Personal Benefits After Earning CFMP®
“Since earning the CFMP® credential, I have experienced meaningful benefits both professionally and personally. Professionally, it strengthened my confidence as an instructor in the College of Business Administration and reinforced my credibility as a leader of the department. As someone who values continuous growth and believes that strong leadership requires both competence and character, the CFMP® served as an additional validation of my specialization in financial management. It also helped enhance my ability to handle financial-related decisions and strategies in the department—especially in situations where resources are limited and creativity, critical thinking, and sound decision-making are necessary.
Personally, the CFMP® gave me a strong sense of accomplishment and self-assurance. Since I pursued it during my maternity leave, it became a reminder that I can continue developing myself even during challenging circumstances. It gave me a renewed sense of purpose, helped me stay focused, and encouraged me to keep improving both academically and professionally. Ultimately, continuing my studies and earning professional credentials like the CFMP® helped ensure that people would be less likely to question my qualifications, allowing me to lead and serve with greater confidence, authority, and integrity.”
Credibility Strengthening and Career Opportunities
“The CFMP® certification has strengthened my credibility by serving as an additional professional validation of my specialization in financial management. As I shared in my previous answers, it increased my confidence as an instructor in the College of Business Administration and supported my role as a department leader. Having a recognized credential like the CFMP® reinforces that my knowledge and expertise in financial management are not only academic, but also aligned with professional standards and current practices. In this sense, it helps minimize doubts or questions regarding my qualifications and further establishes trust in my capability to lead and make sound financial decisions.
At the same time, since it has only been about a year since I earned the CFMP®, I have not yet experienced major new external opportunities directly linked to the certification. However, I see it as an important investment in my long-term professional growth. It strengthens my professional profile, supports my leadership role, and positions me for future opportunities in the academe and in financial management-related engagements as they arise.”
Advice for Finance Professionals Considering CFMP®
“My advice to finance professionals considering the CFMP® certification is to pursue it, especially in today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving business environment. The finance industry continues to change through technology, new regulations, market disruptions, and emerging financial tools, so it is important to keep upgrading ourselves to remain relevant, competitive, and informed. Certifications like CFMP® help strengthen not only your technical knowledge, but also your confidence and credibility as a professional.
Based on my own experience, earning the CFMP® also serves as a strong professional validation of your expertise, which can help build trust and reduce doubts about your qualifications—particularly for those working in leadership roles or in the academe where credentials matter. Most importantly, always believe that life is a continuous learning process. Keep learning, stay committed to self-improvement, and have confidence in yourself, because personal growth and professional success come from consistent effort, humility, and the willingness to move forward even when challenges arise.”
