Accountant and Malta’s first full-time Financial Coach
Patrick Debattista is a fully qualified Accountant and Malta’s first full-time financial coach.
After spending the first three years of his career as a Direct Taxation Manager at a leading mid-tier firm, Patrick made a bold move to Madrid to pursue an Executive Master in Financial Analysis. This international experience offered not just academic depth, but also introduced him to a new culture and language that broadened his perspective both professionally and personally.
Patrick’s natural curiosity for forward-looking finance led him into the world of financial advisory, where he found great fulfilment in analysing business strategies, evaluating investments, and guiding financial decisions. His career took him across Spain, London, and Malta in roles spanning Private Equity, Investment Management, and Advisory, including a period at a Big Four firm where he completed the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification. These diverse experiences gave him a well-rounded view of both institutional and individual finance. Alongside his corporate work, he also began lecturing in personal and business finance at a relatively young age – a role that continues to be a key part of his professional life.
Eventually, Patrick made a pivotal shift – from advising companies to empowering individuals through the launch of Finance For You, Malta’s first full-time financial coaching platform focused on financial literacy and well-being. This initiative was born from a clear need – many individuals, regardless of their background, have never been taught how to manage their personal finances holistically. What started as an effort to fill a gap has evolved into Patrick’s full-time job that involves offering one-to-one coaching, delivering financial well-being workshops to businesses, and creating educational content that reaches hundreds of thousands each week.
Launching Finance For You stands out as a key milestone in Patrick’s career. Not only did it allow him to build a community of over 25,000 followers on social media, but it also led to collaborations with renowned organisations like the CFA Institute, FT Adviser, Lovin Malta, and some of the world’s largest companies. At the heart of all his work is a strong belief in education and its power to help people make better financial decisions.
Patrick is also passionate about shaping future Accountants through his work as a lecturer. While he ensures that students grasp the technical foundations, he places a strong emphasis on soft skills. Communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and self-awareness all feature prominently in his approach. He encourages students to understand what drives them, so they can pursue careers aligned with their strengths and values.
To anyone considering a career in accountancy, Patrick offers clear guidance – use the technical knowledge you gain as a foundation, not a limitation. The profession opens doors to virtually every industry. For those who enjoy structure, analysis, and problem-solving, it offers strong prospects. However, Patrick believes the future of the profession lies in adaptability, financial and digital literacy, and, most importantly, human connection.
If he could offer advice to his younger self, it would be to see accounting as a stepping stone, rather than a destination. The true value of the profession is in how you use the knowledge you gained to build something meaningful, help people make better decisions and create lasting change in their lives and businesses.
