The CPA Australia designation carries enormous weight in the business and financial for professionals looking to grow their careers, says Jonathan Arnold CPA (Aust.).
Jonathan Arnold CPA (Aust.), Internal Auditor – Audit & Compliance at Union Assurance
In a competitive finance job market, having a globally recognised accountancy credential sets you apart from your peers and puts you on the right path to a successful career.
Jonathan Arnold CPA (Aust.), Internal Auditor – Audit & Compliance at Union Assurance, had just finished his Chartered Accountancy exams in 2018 and was starting to consider his next steps when he became aware of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) and CPA Australia.
“The information session organised by CA Sri Lanka was influential in convincing me to embark on the CPA Australia program, as a fully qualified Chartered Accountant,” Arnold says.
Gain a competitive edge in the job market
Arnold believes that holding a globally-recognised credential has helped to broaden his horizons and improved his career prospects.
“CPA Australia has already had a profound influence on my career. CPAs are internationally recognised and membership is associated with a strong legacy, international presence and acclaimed thought leadership,” he says.
During his career shift away from the Big Four audit firms into the mercantile industry, Arnold’s CPA Australia designation held him in good stead as it was “significant in enhancing my professional profile”.
Previously, Arnold had performed well while managing the Internal Audits of Union Assurance PLC admirably, whilst at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Sri Lanka. When the life insurance company formed a new Audit & Compliance (A&C) Division, he was asked to help establish it.
“I have contributed significantly during a short period and was instrumental in taking the A&C Division to greater heights,” Arnold shares.
“The CPA designation enabled me to reach the highest levels of professional excellence in the field of accounting and finance, whilst allowing me to transcend geographical boundaries in my quest for a rewarding career,” he adds.
Solving ethical dilemmas
As an Internal Auditor, Arnold found the CPA Australia course subject, Ethics and Governance, of particular relevance and interest.
“Ethics is a core element of Internal Audit and this CPA subject allowed me to better comprehend ethical dilemmas, analyse and resolve those I encountered, apply ethical decision-making models and understand the impact of decision-making actions on society,” he says.
Arnold also believes that Internal Audit is an integral part of effective and good corporate governance and found what he learned during the CPA Program incredibly helpful. By applying what he learned, he gained recognition and applause for his contributions.
One of the key projects Arnold was successful at accomplishing was to enhance the Union Assurance PLC’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations on Anti Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT).
“Brand and reputation were at stake with there being both a risk management incentive as well as a social responsibility incentive for immediate process remediation,” he says. “Legal compliance and Governance are of great benefit to organisations across the world, which was why I was awarded the Union Assurance PLC ‘Team Up Award’ in 2021, for my timely contributions to this project.”
Always be learning
Continuous learning and development is key for any finance professional to be able to maintain the required competency levels. CPA Australia provides the resources necessary for you to meet the rising expectations of the finance and business market.
“As an accountant, it is vital that we keep ourselves updated with the latest technologies and trends like artificial intelligence, Power BI and data analytics. It’s really helpful to be in touch with the latest trends through CPA Australia’s magazine and learning modules,” Arnold says.
He also claims that self-improvement comes in many forms and while staying relevant professionally is vital, maintaining work-life balance can help you stay motivated in your career.
Arnold performing at charity music concerts in Colombo, Sri Lanka
"Music has always been my passion and helps me to revitalise and re-focus, despite my busy schedule,” Arnold says.
Arnold holds both a Fellowship and Licentiate in electronic double keyboards from the London College of Music and is an Associate Member of the Trinity College of Music, London.
CPA Australia has a
MRA with CA Sri Lanka , with clearly defined steps enabling suitably qualified individuals to become an Associate of CPA Australia.
