Danar Sutopo Sidig MSc

The course

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS)?

I chose the University of Edinburgh Business School because of its strong academic reputation and its track record in producing graduates who can bridge theory and practice. I wanted a place that would challenge me technically, but also help me think more critically about the role of finance in society.

I was also drawn to Edinburgh’s international environment. Studying alongside people from different countries and professional backgrounds broadened my perspective. This has proved invaluable in my current work where I regularly deal with global standards and cross-border issues in financial regulation.

What was it about the degree programme that particularly attracted you?

The MSc in Accounting and Finance (now Accounting and Financial Management) aligned closely with both my role at the time and my long-term career goals. I knew I would return to the Ministry of Finance, so I wanted a programme that combined rigorous finance, accounting, and quantitative methods with a solid understanding of how markets and institutions actually work.

The programme was structured so that there was no overlap between courses and clear progression from fundamentals to more advanced topics. I felt it would enable me to learn a lot in a short time and contribute more strategically when I got back home.

Your career

Can you tell us about your career before and after graduating?

Before my master’s, I worked as a finance and performance officer at the Finance Profession Supervisory Centre within Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance, focusing on budgeting and monitoring financial performance.

After graduating, I returned to the same organisation and began working as a data analyst and researcher. This allowed me to apply what I had learned, to strengthen research-based policy and regulatory initiatives for accountants, valuers, and other finance professions.

In 2024, I was seconded to the Ministry’s Central Transformation Office as a change management analyst, helping to design and monitor strategic reform programmes. I was then appointed Head of the Knowledge Management Section in 2025, where I now lead efforts to capture, organise, and use institutional knowledge to support risk-based supervision and better policy design.

How did your degree prepare you for your career?

The degree gave me a strong foundation in finance, statistics, and quantitative research methods - skills I now use daily to analyse data, design research, and support evidence-based decision-making. It also deepened my understanding of how financial reporting, governance, and markets interact, which is crucial in a supervisory environment.

For example, the training in statistics and research methods helped me propose more rigorous research designs for policy development. And my refreshed knowledge of accounting and finance has enabled me to analyse events and recommend policy options with a more comprehensive set of lenses.

Equally important, the professional development programme strengthened my leadership, communication, and influencing skills. These have been vital in my transition from technical analyst to roles that involve leading cross-functional initiatives and managing change.

My MSc gave me the tools to contribute to institutional change in Indonesia’s financial profession.

Masters of Change

What notable changes has your degree enabled you to make in your professional or personal life?

Professionally, the MSc helped me move from a transactional finance role into a role with more strategic and research-oriented responsibilities. After returning from Edinburgh, I was entrusted with larger analytical projects, invited to support cross-functional working groups, and later appointed as a change management analyst. Each of these roles built my confidence as a leader, and the combination of technical and interpersonal skills I gained at Edinburgh played an important part in that progression.

Personally, the programme gave me greater confidence and clarity about my long-term direction. Completing a rigorous degree during a challenging time strengthened my resilience, and the interpersonal skills I developed help me daily - in family life, teamwork, and community interactions - not just at work.

What are the changes you have been able to make in your chosen field, of which you are most proud?

In my current role, I am proud to be contributing to a more evidence-based and collaborative approach to governance. I’ve been able to strengthen how our institution captures, organises, and uses institutional knowledge. By improving structures for documentation, shared learning, and data integration, I’ve helped teams work with greater clarity and consistency - especially in risk-based supervision and policy analysis.

I am also helping embed a more data-driven mindset. This includes introducing clearer research frameworks that guide how teams analyse issues, interpret data, and link findings to policy questions. Shared frameworks have made it easier for colleagues to approach complex problems systematically and communicate insights more effectively.

I have also been able to help colleagues consider ESG aspects when interpreting developments or shaping regulatory initiatives.

How did your studies at the Business School help you to make those changes?

My studies gave me the analytical discipline and research skills that underpin the changes I contribute to today. The training in finance, statistics, and research methods helped me introduce clearer research frameworks and support more evidence-based discussions.

The programme’s professional development component equipped me with the interpersonal and leadership skills needed to work across teams, facilitate collaboration, and communicate ideas with clarity. These skills have helped me guide colleagues through new ways of working and create a more open, analytical, and forward-looking environment within the organisation.

What key things that you learnt at the Business School do you still rely on today?

The programme taught me to analyse situations from multiple angles, identify core problems, and present solutions that are both intuitive and rigorous.

Course highlights and advice

What are your best memories on the programme?

One of my best memories is the sense of connection we built as a cohort. Outside of class, I often found comfort in the calm beauty of Edinburgh - walking up Calton Hill or by the sea - which always helped me to recharge after an intense week of study.

What one piece of advice would you give to current students and recent graduates?

Use your time at Edinburgh to build genuine relationships. Your classmates, lecturers, and support staff can become collaborators, mentors, and lifelong friends - and these connections often shape your career more than anything else.