ICMA (Australia) Sri Lanka branch holds 2015 graduation

Chief Guest Eran Wickramaratne addressing the gathering​

Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and the panel of academics

Graduates

The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) Australia held its annual graduation ceremony at the BMICH on Tuesday, 30 September, amongst a group of distinguished guests and invitees. Gracing the occasion at this year’s graduation were the Chief Guest Deputy Minister of National Enterprise Development Eran Wickramaratne and Special Guest of Honour Deputy High Commissioner of Australia for Sri Lanka and Maldives Tim Huggins. The Chair of the event was ICMA Australia Chief Executive Officer Prof. Janek Ratnatunga.

A large number of Certified Management Accountants (CMAs), Associate Management Accountants (AMAs) and Graduate Management Accountants (GMAs) graduated at the ceremony, making it one of the most highly attended graduation ceremonies. This diverse group of graduates included leading entrepreneurs, CEOs, Managing Directors, Directors, General Managers, Consultants and Senior Executives from public and private sector organisations and multinationals. 

These candidates have joined the ICMA Graduate Conversion Program with their Professional, Bachelors or Masters level qualifications in Banking, Marketing, Engineering, Law and Human Resources or through the ICMA Qualifying Workshop with their professional Accountancy qualifications or Finance Specialised postgraduate qualifications.

Eran Wickramaratne emphasised that the accountability of professionals extends far beyond the accountability to shareholders, but towards the accountability to customers, suppliers, employees, environment and the community at large. He further emphasised that the biggest responsibility as a professional is to be accountable and to hold the others accountable, irrespective of whoever they may be.

Prof. Janek Ratnatunga emphasised that ICMA (Australia) is the first ‘specialist’ post-graduate level management accounting professional body focusing on creating value. “It was founded in Australia, and now has a global reach spanning 49 countries with 16 Regional Offices around the world. It has also sponsored a university in the USA, Calwest University, to continue to develop ICMA members,” said Prof. Ratnatunga.

ICMA Australia Sri Lanka Branch Chairman Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, ICMA Australia Sri Lanka Branch President Murali Prakash, ICMA Australia Regional Director Kapila Dodamgoda and the Valedictorian Kennedy Michael also addressed the gathering.

ICMA Australia is a fast growing post graduate level accounting qualification in Australia with an increasing membership in Australia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Lebanon, UAE and Sri Lanka. The institute’s presence in Sri Lanka goes back to 1998 and more than 800 professionals have obtained membership during this period. ICMA Branch Executive Council organises a number of professional development and networking activities on a regular basis. Annually more than 200 students follow the ICMA Graduate Conversion Program and the CMA Workshop on Strategic Management Accounting.

Certified Management Accountant (Australia) professional qualification offers competitive advantage to the non-financial professionals in an ever-changing business environment today and updates the professional accountants with contemporary developments in Management Accounting.