‘Next generation challenge’ an innovative competition for millennials powered by ACCA

Wednesday, 7 June 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Millennials today need to be well equipped to deal with the changes driven by digitisation and globalisation, by having a global outlook, be technologically savvy and effectively use finance as a valued platform for their future careers.

ACCA having always been a forward thinking professional body and in considering the future requirements of the finance industry and the need for talent development in the finance profession, will be launching an innovative competition titled ‘the next generation challenge’ in early June together with TV1. This competition will target Advanced Level students studying in the Commerce stream of leading schools and private educational institutes in the country, as well as their own tuition providers. The program will consist of a series of interesting challenges that the students will participate in, based on the key areas that ACCA acknowledges to be important to finance professionals in the future. These key areas include identifying opportunity, integrity, accountability, ethics, leadership, teamwork, social responsibility, innovation, networking, creativity, technology, emotional intelligence and many more.

ACCA joined hands with TV One, the leading television station of Maharaja Organisation, with an MOU being recently signed between the two organisations, in order to promote this competition to the public.

A team of leading finance professionals in the industry, who are also ACCA members, will comprise of the eminent panel of judges for the competition. The judging criteria will be based on skills demonstrated in analysing and conceptualising given challenges and scenarios, teamwork, presentation of practical solutions , creativity and innovation , and in utilising best practices . ACCA Sri Lanka Head Nilusha Ranasinghe stated, “We are keen to supplement the accountancy profession with skill sets that are required to meet the dynamic nature of the profession and drivers of change like automation and globalisation and in creating finance professionals who are capable of supporting and driving our economic growth. Our qualification itself offers the complete and essential blend of technical and ethical accounting competencies mixed with strategic leadership and professional skills required to turn students into the confident and trusted business partners that employers need. Therefore programs like ‘the ACCA Next Generation Challenge’ are aimed at harnessing the students mindsets in forward-thinking strategic abilities and skills required of modern professional accountants who will shape the future of global business.” ACCA currently supports its 188,000 members and 480,000 students in 178 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 100 offices and centres and more than 7,110 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development.

Through their various programs held such as the the ACCA next generation challenge, ACCA is set to ensure that the finance profession not only meets the future needs of industry, but also harnesses the required talent to help the profession grow in reputation and influence and play a key role in businesses, both locally and globally.