Prior to joining the PhD program, Raniel worked as a faculty member for over four years at the Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business, the business school of the University of the Philippines - Diliman. During his time at the University of the Philippines, he undertook research projects involving Philippine financial institutions and taught undergraduate accounting and finance courses.
Raniel obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of the Philippines - Diliman and his master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a licensed CPA in the Philippines.