Where are you from, and where did you go to school?
I am originally from Türkiye and now based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I completed my bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on accounting and finance, followed by a master of science in accounting and auditing. Since moving to Canada, I have continued developing my professional qualifications and practical experience, particularly in project accounting, financial reporting, and revenue recognition under IFRS and GAAP frameworks.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I have a passion for languages. Without taking formal courses, I’ve picked up conversational Indonesian, Portuguese, and some German simply by traveling and immersing myself in those environments. It’s been a fun challenge and a great way to experience different cultures firsthand.
Where do you work?
I work in accounting and finance, focusing primarily on project and operational accounting. My experience includes intercompany accounting, financial reporting, reconciliations, and revenue recognition. I’ve worked closely in construction and project-based environments, supporting project managers and operations teams with financial insights and cost tracking.
What do you love most about your job?
What I enjoy most is connecting numbers to real-world outcomes. In project environments, accounting is not just bookkeeping—it directly impacts decisions, project performance, and risk management. I value helping operations teams understand the financial side of their projects and seeing how strong financial controls contribute to successful delivery.
Do you have a project story to share?
One memorable experience involved supporting a project team struggling to understand cost overruns. After reviewing job cost reports and intercompany charges, I identified misallocated costs and timing issues related to revenue recognition. Once corrected, the financial picture became clearer, enabling better operational decisions. It reinforced that accounting can actively support project success—not just report on it.
What are your future goals and aspirations? Did someone inspire your path?
My long-term goal is to grow into a senior finance leadership role within infrastructure or construction projects, ideally in a multinational environment. I’m especially interested in cost control, project finance, and financial strategy.
I’ve been inspired by mentors who demonstrated that accountants can be strategic partners—not just report preparers, but contributors to decision-making. That perspective reshaped how I view the profession.
What is the biggest career challenge you’ve overcome? What’s been your most memorable moment?
The biggest challenge was adapting to Canada’s accounting environment after relocating—learning new regulations, workplace culture, and systems while building credibility from scratch.
My most memorable moment came when project managers began seeking my advice proactively—not just for reports, but for financial guidance. That was when I realized I had become a trusted advisor.
Why did you join AACE?
I joined AACE because cost engineering and project controls sit at the intersection of finance and project management. I wanted to deepen my understanding of how financial planning, scheduling, and cost control work together in project environments.
What do you like most about being an AACE member?
The community and knowledge sharing stand out the most. AACE brings together professionals from engineering, project controls, and finance, offering a multidisciplinary perspective that helps me better understand how project costs evolve in real time.
What advice would you give to someone entering the field?
Don’t focus only on accounting rules—learn how projects actually work. Spend time with operations teams, ask questions, and understand scheduling, procurement, and risk. Technical knowledge is important, but curiosity and communication are what truly make you valuable in project environments.