Finance or Data Analysis?

Hello everyone! I would like you opinion regarding my case! I am located in Italy and I have worked 1,5 year as junior auditor in Big4 and left for Accounting Specialist in one of the biggest FMCG companies and I am currently working on this role for 2 years.

I am currently working mainly on a project and by its completion, I will join another project in Accounting and Reporting. I do not feel that this career is for me, I am usually bored with my job and my tasks which regard mostly accounting postings, expense controls and communication with outsourced teams besides the project itself. Regarding the salary I am satisfied with comparing to othe salaries in Italy.

I have bachelor in BA and Master in Finance. I am currently trying to figure out what career I would like to follow. I always thought that FP&A would be a good option, however this role is most of the times accounting related role despite its job title. 

I like working with number and analyse them or the idea of helping decisions-maker with specific data analysis. I am not sure if I should continue working in Finance dptm in big corporation with the hope of something intresting in FP&A function or if I should take courses in data analysis sector and look for a job related to this. If I choose the Finance path, maybe i should take a certification like CIMA in order to have more chances to progress into more interesting roles. If I choose the Data analysis path, I probably have to take Msc in Statistics or something like that and even then I am not sure if I will be able to compete other employees with a better background. Also, I am thinking that in the new era maybe we should know more about programming and data analysis whatever is our path in Finance/Accounting. 

1) If you were in my position, what path you would follow?
2) How can someone understand which FP&A roles are not actually Accounting?
3) Is it important according to your opinion, Corporate Finance people (Finance or Accounting) have data analysis and/or programming knowledge in order to be marketable in the new era?
4) Will CIMA help me finding more interesting roles in Finance? If not what you propose?
5) Any other tips or opinions are welcomed 

Thank you!

 

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