Meet a financial controller – Ladia Brinckman

Updated: 15th September 2025

Where it all started

My mother wanted me to grow up to be a successful accountant or finance officer. In the Philippines, you were expected to follow your parent’s instruction. So, I studied a finance degree at university. After I graduated, I worked as a Finance Officer in the motor vehicle industry for three years and later migrated to Brisbane with my husband.

One night, my husband asked me ‘What job do you want to do?’ I had no idea. I was now living in a foreign country and I did not know where to begin. One of my friends recommended that I could study a master's at KBS to develop my managerial skills. I went to their information session and found that their courses were affordable and I would be taught by industry experts and supported by a good student experience team. So I decided to enrol into the Master of Professional Accounting.

My first day at KBS

On the day of my orientation at KBS, my bank reported that there was a delay on the financial transaction I needed to pay for my tuition fees. I was very worried. From my past experience at university, you could not enrol into any subjects until the tuition fees have been fully paid.

When I arrived on campus, I told one of the staff members about my situation. She said that the bank transfer should come through shortly and I could enrol into the units now. I was very surprised at this response. She was more concerned about me starting my studies at KBS than receiving the tuition fee. KBS valued their relationships with students and believed in their potential. When I struggled with my studies, it was the careers advisors who reminded me why I started my master’s in the first place and that motivated me to keep going.

My KBS family

At KBS the lecturers don’t just lecture. They get to know each student and use different ways to encourage and challenge you to improve. After admitting to a lecturer that I was struggling with an assignment and presentation, she gave me advice and the steps and resources to help me complete it.

When I think about my KBS journey, the word ‘family’ comes to mind because the staff were empathetic and want you to succeed. They were the first people who made me believe that it’s possible to have a career in Australia. I did not feel like I was just a number but part of a jigsaw puzzle – the school was not complete without everyone working together. I also loved the diversity of students and the different perspectives they offered.

The Careers Central team were career coaches and life coaches. Frida, one of the career advisors, empowered, encouraged and believed in me. You only need one encouraging person to help you change and improve your situation. Frida predicted that I would be a financial controller and she was right! I have been working as a financial controller at Future Business Technology Group (FBT) for 6 years.

My current role

What I love most about working at FBT Group is the people. If you enjoy doing your work with the people you are surrounded with, it has a positive impact on your personal development. As a financial controller, I have opportunities to work with different teams at different levels of the company on financial and non-financial matters.

Today, FBT Group has an industry partnership with KBS. Whenever we have a job vacancy, KBS is my go-to place. I call Frida and she finds the right people for us. Now we have 6 KBS alumni (including me) working at FBT Group!

During my studies and my work, the key lessons I have learned are:

Believe in yourself. You are more capable than you know.
Surround yourself with encouraging people. They are your greatest asset.
Build relationships with people in your industry.

Networking with others can lead to career opportunities. A lot of job vacancies are not advertised because companies can get quality candidates from referrals. Who you know is just as important as what you know.

4. Be humble.

It is easy to be proud as you rise, but you need to reflect on how you started and be grateful for what you have and the people who helped you. Do not just focus on your own career but be encouraging to other people and help them feel appreciated. Good managers serve other people first before they serve themselves. That’s true leadership.