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Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Monday, 14 September 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
D.S Chandrasiri
M.G Dilhani
By Shehana Dain
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) set a record this year by inducting 544 Associated Chartered Accountants (ACAs) at its annual convocation ceremony.
This is an 83% increase compared to the previous record of 297 associate members who passed out last year.
CA Sri Lanka President Arjuna Herath said the record achievement was a result of the syllabus change last year which subsequently led to three case study exams conducted by the institute.
He said that the latest batch of associates who were entering the accounting profession in the country would undoubtedly be a renewed boost to the local and global accounting fraternity.
“We have a strong international presence with over 30% of our members located in 42 countries across all continents. Hence, the opportunities are immense for career progression both here and abroad,” Herath stated.
“In the backdrop of growing challenges and complexities in the world, the role of the accountant is changing significantly and rapidly. Therefore, ensuring relevancy in today’s constantly changing and challenging world, up-to-date knowledge and skills are perhaps the most important factors. As a professional an individual has to continue to assimilate and advance his or her knowledge through continuous learning,” he added.
“More than anything, the commercial world requires good managers, managers with common sense, with entrepreneurial skills, innovation and having the good sense of the commercial aspects of an organisation. I believe that Chartered Accountants posses all these skills and the arena which has opened to our new members from today onwards is vast,” Herath asserted.
Ceylon Hospitals Chairman Ajith E. Tudawe, who was the Chief Guest at the event, shared some of the strategic insights he and his team used to make Durdans Hospital a successful venture. He went on to talk about how the role of a Chartered Accountant had evolved. “Financial expertise can be the foundation to executing marketing innovation. Financial accountants are no longer tied to a specific area but they can use their knowledge to create greater shareholder wealth.
“As young accounting professionals, you should always have a goal and focus on achieving it and take challenges and show leadership qualities, always be courageous. Learning to negotiate is another quality you all should excel at. Always benchmark yourself with the market,” Tudawe stressed.
CA Sri Lanka Vice President Lasantha Wickremasinghe stated that CA Sri Lanka-qualified Chartered Accountants earn high respect both at a local and international level as well as in society.
He reminded the new members that accounting was not a stagnant profession and today a significant number of CA Sri Lanka members functioned within the upper tier of organisations.
CA Sri Lanka CEO Aruna Alwis noted that the members were the institute’s primary stakeholder and every effort had been made to offer them the best of services as well as qualifications.
“Being a professional is a privilege and it will bring challenges and rewards. However, above all, being a professional is a responsibility and one must execute one’s responsibilities diligently and ethically,” Alwis added.
Pic by Upul Abayasekara
