People working in the financial advisory services sector not only need to be technically capable but must also possess the soft skills necessary to build long-term relationships, Dean Micallef says.
In the past few years, Malta’s financial advisory services sector has achieved significant growth. From a general and basic offering, since Malta’s euro adoption, the sector has transformed itself into one that is of a higher level of sophistication and maturity, with an added level of complexity.
Primarily stemming from the growth in the financial services sector and other key technical industries that contribute greatly to our country’s GDP, the standard financial support service offering is far more technical than it was merely a decade ago.
As the driving force behind the conception of a more relevant financial support service offering, this very understanding provided the foresight to acknowledge the greater level of importance that the financial services sector would assume in Malta’s economy in the years to come. In fact, it is this that led to the creation of Firstbridge, a multifaceted professional services provider, back in 2005.
Over a decade later, Firstbridge has developed into a strong yet adaptable firm that provides a range of financial advisory services to organisations. From manufacturing and logistics to retail and tourism, from start-ups to internationally established organisations, Firstbridge is equipped to offer all the support that its clients need.
“In the past years we have focused on building highly technical and versatile teams, led by key team leaders, but all holding the same ethical and professional values,” Dean Micallef, Firstbridge managing director, said.
Mr Micallef has over a decade of experience in the financial industry, particularly in financial auditing and financial advisory services. He is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Malta Institute of Accountants, and is a warranted certified public accountant.
“By virtue of strengthening our team within key areas of focus, we have enhanced our service offering. In the beginning, our emphasis – and that of the sector in general – was to attract companies to commence their operations in Malta and provide basic support services. Nowadays, the industry’s mix is far more technical and mature, and therefore our service offerings have to be more specific and adaptable,” Mr Micallef added.
Malta’s educational offering has helped immensely in developing the sector in parallel to the needs of the modern financial advisory service client
Firstbridge’s service offering ranges from back office accounting and payroll administration to tax advisory, financial and transactional advisory, and technical corporate services. For each of these offerings, Firstbridge can rely on a key team leader to develop, enhance and ultimately adapt its service offering.
“Malta’s educational contribution has helped immensely in developing the sector in parallel to the needs of the modern financial advisory service client”, Mr Micallef said.
“However, the advancements in technology are no longer solely focused on the clearly identifiable ICT industries themselves. Now and even more so in the near future, technology will continue to be the central component of the modern business model, supporting success and sustainability.
“This alone will serve as the greatest opportunity or challenge for the forward looking financial advisory firm. On the contrary, technology will continue to pose a threat to the more traditional routine services.
“People working in the financial advisory services sector not only need to be technically capable but also possess the soft skills necessary to adapt to their clients’ needs focusing on building long-term relationships.”
“The clue, as they say, is in our name. The bridge that we want to build is intended to help organisations bridge the gap between their financial, strategic and operational requirements and their goals.”
“The Firstbridge team is highly motivated, eager and adaptable. On top of that it has the advantage of being part of a large and well established organisation that has been around for almost a century.
“To be part of such a recognised establishment is a great responsibility – however, it is one that we gladly carry.
“This responsibility gives us the necessary experience and trust to be able to do business with the right people, attracting reputable global brands as we look towards the potential opportunities and developments that the industries of the future will bring.”