CA Sri Lanka’s National Conference to champion ‘Winning: Country, Corporate, Citizen’

The 33rd National Conference of Chartered Accountants structured by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) will be held from 18 to 20 October at Waters Edge under the theme ‘Winning: Country, Corporate, Citizen’.

It will be a three-day conference with six technical sessions that will feature a panel of highly skilled professionals who will speak on how to overcome volatility and achieve desired goals, thus emphasising on winning.

CA Sri Lanka National Conference Chairman Lasantha Wickramasighe speaking to the media said: “Due to slow growth and recurring liquidity crisis, this year’s conference will be about how to minimise volatile uncertainties. This will bring members together, help the business community and better the network.”

Commenting on a national level, CA Sri Lanka President Sujeewa Rajapakse said: “It will foster prospects to attract more investments, improve regional and global cooperation and thereby a robust economic development in the country.”

He also noted that winning at a corporate level would energise the economy in which it operates. Moreover, it will create new business ventures and increase opportunities for growth, further leading to better job prospects. In addition, winning will ensure shareholders to enjoy better returns, resulting in increased healthy investments.

CA Sri Lanka National Conference Technical Committee Chairman Dulitha Perera speaking to the media said: “We looked at certain things. We understood that companies globally are challenged by numerous reasons.”

Speaking about this year’s theme, he stated: “A country is challenged by its economy and strategy. A corporate is challenged by its odds while a citizen is challenged by image and attitude. Therefore, for a professional accountant, you need to overcome these measures to be a complete person.”

He further mentioned that this year’s theme would inspire people to come out with something positive.

Highlighting the six technical sessions that will be conducted in October, he announced first on winning economy: “This will touch on current economic environment, proven solutions to overcome volatility, policy measures, adapting situations and business contributions towards winning.”

Secondly, he spoke on winning strategy that will cover business analysing tools, decision-making, setting targets according to change, traits that must be possessed, and success stories, to name a few.

Winning against the odds was the third element. It will look at good governance, modernity of good organisation, governance contributing to volatility, etc. He further stressed on winning attitudes which will be addressed by an Indian professional. He will speak on how the Indian institute has been strategised, and what a winning team should comprise of with regard to attitudes, skills required and attributes. Stressing on attitude, he said: “A positive attitude will win.”

Furthermore, he spoke on winning image, which will include topics on the role of marketing and branding in unpredictable situations, how it should be managed, monitored and implemented from an accountant’s point of view and image building. Finally he spoke about winning professional accountants.

The sixth technical session will consist of panel discussions on the five subjects including discussions on integrity reporting in general, accountancy role of integrity reporting and requirements.

The National Conference of Chartered Accountants dates back to the ’80s. Back then, the conferences were held to discuss and deliberate certain issues from the technical aspect. Today, it has moved towards the business aspect. Rajapakse referred to the conference as “a business summit,” adding that the 2011 conference was the most successful in the conference history.

This year’s conference expects an attendance of 1,200 chartered accountants, including top business leaders from top companies.

CA Sri Lanka Vice President Arjuna also said: “This will be a winning conference. In fact the theme is about winning. We believe we should instil an attitude in ourselves of ‘can do, must do.’”

By Rashika Fazali