Meet Our Expert CMA Instructors

Dr. Kokila is the Programme Director and Lead CMA Instructor at LIFS Dubai. With over 18 years of teaching and corporate finance experience, she has trained 788 CMA candidates, achieving an extraordinary 93.9% first-attempt pass rate. She holds the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designations from the USA, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS). Her teaching methodology combines rigorous exam preparation with real-world financial case studies drawn from her extensive corporate career at multinational firms across the UAE and UK. Dr. Kokila is known for her ability to simplify complex financial concepts, making them accessible to students from all backgrounds.

Dr. Tanaja brings an exceptional combination of academic rigour and practical expertise to the LIFS classroom. Holding four professional designations — Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) — she is one of the most credentialed finance educators in the UAE. With 15+ years of experience spanning Big 4 audit, corporate finance, and financial forensics, Dr. Tanaja has trained 677 CMA candidates with a 93.4% first-attempt pass rate. Her classes on Strategic Financial Management (Part 2) are particularly renowned for their depth and clarity. She has worked with clients including ADNOC, Emirates NBD, and Majid Al Futtaim.

Prof. Ahmed Al Rashidi specialises in CMA Part 1 — Financial Planning, Performance & Analytics — and serves as the primary Career Mentor for LIFS graduates. Holding a CMA, an MBA in Finance from a UK university, and CIMA membership, he brings a uniquely practical perspective to the classroom. Before joining LIFS, Prof. Ahmed spent 10 years as an FP&A Manager and Financial Controller at leading UAE conglomerates, giving him direct insight into what employers look for in CMA-certified candidates. His career mentorship sessions have helped hundreds of graduates secure roles at Big 4 firms and Fortune 500 companies in the UAE.

Ms. Priya Menon leads the LIFS online CMA programme, ensuring that online students receive the same quality of instruction and support as those attending in person. Holding both CMA and ACCA designations, she brings a comprehensive understanding of international financial reporting standards alongside management accounting expertise. With 10+ years of experience in finance education and a background in corporate accounting at a major UAE bank, Ms. Priya is particularly skilled at helping students who are transitioning from non-accounting backgrounds. Her online sessions are known for their interactive approach, using live polls, case studies, and real-time Q&A to keep students engaged.