Her Story
About Salma
Salma Alghoul is a pharmaceutical finance professional serving as Senior Tax Accounting Manager at Hikma Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey. She has built an extensive career in accounting, financial reporting, corporate finance, and tax management, progressing through several roles within the organization since joining Hikma in 2013. Her experience includes financial statement preparation, tax accounting, consolidated reporting, audit coordination, internal controls, budgeting, and compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). She earned her bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Jordan in 2013, graduating with a GPA of 3.7 out of 4.0, and completed a Pharmaceutical Management Executive program at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
Throughout her career at Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Salma has advanced from Accountant and Senior Accountant positions to leadership roles in financial reporting, accounting management, and tax accounting. Her responsibilities have included overseeing monthly closing procedures, reviewing financial statements, managing intercompany reporting, coordinating external audits, maintaining financial controls, and improving accounting processes. She has also led recruitment and team development, including building a corporate accounting team during a significant professional transition after relocating from Jordan to the United States. Her approach to leadership emphasizes collaboration, operational efficiency, professional development, and the importance of maintaining accurate and reliable financial information.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Salma is committed to continuous learning, community involvement, and encouraging other women to pursue their ambitions with confidence. She is associated with the Jordan Association of Management Accountants (JAMA) and supports charitable initiatives through volunteering at New Jersey food banks and donating to No Kid Hungry. Having navigated the challenges of adapting to a new country and establishing herself in a competitive professional environment, she believes resilience, self-confidence, honesty, and kindness are essential to long-term success. Outside work, she enjoys traveling, having visited approximately 30 countries, and hiking, reflecting her appreciation for nature, exploration, and new experiences.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Salma
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to embrace challenges. Moving from Jordan to the United States on my own required me to adapt to a new language, culture, and professional environment while rebuilding my career from the ground up. During this transition, I faced the challenge of establishing a new corporate accounting team after the existing team members resigned. I recruited new team members and worked collaboratively with them to build a strong, effective team. These experiences taught me the importance of perseverance, leadership, and believing in my ability to overcome challenges.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Believe in yourself and never underestimate your abilities. Keep moving forward, remain confident in your potential, and do everything you can to achieve your goals. Challenges are part of professional growth, and persistence and self-belief can help you overcome obstacles and establish your value in the workplace.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in finance is navigating a traditionally male-dominated work environment. As a young woman working among predominantly male colleagues, it is important to be confident, demonstrate my capabilities, and ensure that my contributions are recognized. Building trust, earning respect, and being treated as an equal require resilience and persistence. I believe women can overcome these challenges by standing firm in their abilities and consistently demonstrating their professional value.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Trust, honesty, and kindness are the values I consider most important in both my professional and personal life. I believe in keeping people's trust, being truthful, and treating others with respect and compassion. Above all, I strive to be a good person, avoid hurting others, and build relationships grounded in integrity and mutual respect.
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