Deloitte Principal, Shares His SSBM Geneva MBA Journey

In this alumni spotlight, SSBM Geneva is introducing Juan Kusuma, Deloitte Principal in Audit & Assurance, Indonesia, and a graduate of our Online MBA in Finance, who shares his experience of balancing a demanding international career with postgraduate studies, reflecting on how continuous learning has strengthened his leadership and prepared him for an evolving business landscape.

Could you please introduce yourself and tell us about your role at Deloitte?

My name is Juan, and I am a Principal in Audit & Assurance at Deloitte Indonesia, based in Jakarta. I have also had the opportunity to work internationally in Deloitte’s Singapore and London offices, experiences that broadened my perspective on working across different markets, cultures, and regulatory environments.

In my current role, I lead audit engagements for multinational clients, oversee teams across multiple engagements, and manage senior stakeholder relationships. A central part of my role is ensuring high-quality delivery while nurturing trusted relationships with our clients and supporting our people to perform at their best. I believe that leadership requires both accountability and empathy: keeping clients at the centre of what we do, putting our people first, and taking ownership of the outcomes we deliver.

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“The programme allowed me to build upon my professional experience while encouraging me to approach familiar business questions from different perspectives.”

SSBM Alumni Testimonial Juan Kusuma Deloitte

What inspired you to pursue further studies in Finance at SSBM?

Finance and business are evolving rapidly, and I believe that remaining effective as a leader requires a genuine growth mindset. Regardless of one’s experience, it is important to remain curious, coachable, and willing to challenge one’s own thinking.

I pursued the Online MBA in Finance at SSBM Geneva to deepen my financial knowledge while broadening my perspective beyond my day-to-day professional responsibilities. The programme was particularly well suited to my circumstances: its online format gave me the flexibility to balance a demanding professional role with further education, while its practical and current curriculum enabled me to connect academic concepts with real-world business situations.

I also valued the programme’s coverage of subjects such as Data Analytics and Decision Making, Introduction to AI for Managers, and Innovation and Change Management. These topics are increasingly relevant as finance professionals navigate technological developments and changing business expectations. I saw the programme not simply as an additional qualification, but as a deliberate investment in becoming a more well-rounded and adaptable leader.

What resources or support from SSBM have you found most valuable?

The flexibility of SSBM’s online learning environment was one of its greatest strengths for me. I could organise my studies around my professional responsibilities and progress through the learning materials at a manageable pace. This was especially important because, like many working professionals, I had periods when work required more of my time and attention than at other times.

I also valued the practical orientation of the programme. The learning was not limited to understanding concepts in isolation; it encouraged me to consider how they could be applied to real business situations. Given my analytical nature, I enjoyed examining issues from different perspectives and connecting what I was studying with situations I had encountered professionally. It also gave me the opportunity to pause and reflect on how I approach decisions and lead others—something that can be difficult to make time for in a busy professional environment.

Why would you recommend SSBM to other finance and business professionals?

I would recommend SSBM to experienced professionals who want to continue developing without stepping away from their careers. The Online MBA in Finance offers a valuable combination of flexibility, practical relevance, and exposure to a broad range of finance, business, and leadership topics

The programme allowed me to build upon my professional experience while encouraging me to approach familiar business questions from different perspectives. Online study requires self-discipline and personal ownership, but for professionals who are prepared to make that commitment, the programme can be a meaningful investment in their development.

For me, it has strengthened my foundation for the future and better prepared me to navigate a financial and business environment that will continue to evolve.

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“I pursued the Online MBA in Finance at SSBM Geneva to deepen my financial knowledge while broadening my perspective beyond my day-to-day professional responsibilities.”

Completing the MBA while continuing to fulfil my professional responsibilities was deeply rewarding. There were certainly times when balancing both required discipline, but that was also an important part of the experience.

The journey reminded me that learning should not stop at any particular career stage. Remaining willing to learn requires curiosity, humility, and the commitment to make time for our own development, even when other responsibilities compete for our attention. I am grateful to have completed this journey, and I look forward to applying what I have learned as I continue to grow as a finance professional and leader.

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