Ersa Jahja, MBA
Ersa Jahja, MBA, is a finance professional based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with expertise in accounts payable auditing, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), budgeting, and forecasting. She holds an MBA in Finance & Investing and earned the Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) certification from the Corporate Finance Institute, strengthening her foundation in financial modeling, valuation, and data-driven decision-making.
Throughout her career, Ersa has focused on turning complex financial information into clear, actionable insights that support organizational efficiency and sustainable growth. She has led compliance audits, reconciled multimillion-dollar transactions, and performed detailed vendor spend analyses that uncovered meaningful cost savings while reinforcing strong internal controls. Her work consistently emphasizes GAAP compliance, thoughtful variance analysis, and practical Excel-based forecasting designed to improve reporting accuracy and operational performance.
Ersa combines strategic thinking with strong technical execution, helping leadership teams make confident, timely financial decisions. Beyond her technical contributions, she is deeply committed to collaboration and continuous improvement. She has served in leadership roles within graduate student governance and association treasuries, advocating for transparency, accountability, and stronger community engagement.
Known for her approachable and outgoing personality, Ersa values relationship-building, professional networking, and lifelong learning. As she looks ahead, she is pursuing a transition into investment banking and is actively working toward her SIE and Series 7 certifications to further expand her expertise and impact within the financial industry.
• Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®)
• The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
• EdX Verified Certificate for Introduction to Corporate Finance
• MBA in Finance & Investing - Regent University
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family, mentors, and supporters who have stood by me throughout my journey, believing in my potential and encouraging me to pursue excellence with confidence and purpose.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I’ve received my best career advice from Dean Doris Gomez, the Dean of my master’s program. As an immigrant, she has been an inspiring example of overcoming adversity to build a successful career. She has been incredibly supportive of me, connecting me with influential networks and opening doors to opportunities that have shaped my professional growth. I am equally grateful to Arun Daniel, whose continued guidance has played a pivotal role in helping me define my career path and aspirations.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering this industry to stay determined, invest in building strong networks, continually develop their skills, and, most importantly, believe in themselves. These factors have been key to my own success and can help others navigate challenges and seize opportunities along their career journey.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Accounting and finance are highly competitive fields, but that very competition creates opportunity. The challenge is standing out in a crowded landscape; the opportunity lies in building resilience, continuously strengthening technical and leadership skills, and having the courage to pursue ambitious goals with confidence.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In both my work and personal life, I value integrity and transparency. I take pride in the work I do each day and strive to stay humble in my successes, letting my results speak for themselves rather than talking about my accomplishments.