In its standing as a renowned professional body in the country, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing top-notch accountants once again, as it produced 58 new Certified Business Accountants (CBAs) and Certified Corporate Accountants (CCAs), who are poised to make their mark in the realms of accounting and finance as mid-level professionals.
The CBA and CCA qualifications were conferred on the mid-level accountants at the CBA & CCA Convocation, which was held under the esteemed patronage of Professor Dr. Chandana Gunathilaka, Head of the Department of Finance at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Mr. Milinda Hewagama, Group Chief Financial Officer at Hayleys PLC. The guest list also featured luminaries such as Mr. Sanjaya Bandara, President of CA Sri Lanka, Mr. Heshana Kuruppu, Vice President of CA Sri Lanka, Prof. Roshan Ajward, Chairman of the Education and Curriculum Development Committee, and esteemed council members, along with acting CEO Ms. Lakmali Priyangika.
Mr. Sanjaya Bandara, President of CA Sri Lanka, in his speech, emphasising the pivotal role CBAs and CCAs play as ambassadors of the accounting profession. He encouraged them to uphold ethical and professional standards in all their endeavours, recognising that their qualifications, adaptability, ability to analyse complex financial data, and ability to provide strategic insights which makes them invaluable assets to organisations and clients.
"As you move forward in your career, remember that values and ethics underpin our profession. Integrity, accountability, and transparency are the cornerstones of the accounting profession, and by upholding these principles, you will not only achieve professional success but also contribute to the greater good of society. To further strengthen you professionally, CA Sri Lanka has also issued the Code of Conduct and Ethics to help you in the face of never-ending challenges," Mr. Bandara said.
In his congratulatory message, Prof. Ajward expressed his confidence in the transformative power of the qualifications. He believed that the new CBAs and CCAs have the potential to shape the future of accounting, finance, and business management not only in Sri Lanka but on a global scale. "The knowledge, skills, and, importantly, the attitudinal changes you have acquired throughout your studies and training will make you sought-after professionals and will assist you to contribute significantly to the growth and success of businesses, government institutions, and even organisations overseas."
CBAs are well-equipped to cater to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a turnover of less than LKR 500 million, as well as mid-level positions in larger organisations and listed companies. On the other hand, CCAs can take on the finance function of mid-sized to large organisations with a turnover exceeding LKR 500 million and assume mid-level positions in more complex entities.
The CBA and CCA qualifications are built on a curriculum featuring three key pillars: a strong foundation in accounting and technical knowledge, a diverse skill set encompassing soft skills such as communication, presentation, and IT proficiency, and hands-on experience gained through training and placements at various organisations.
The CBA and CCA Faculty boasts of over 6270 certificate holders. The CBA and CCA qualifications are early exit routes of the globally recognised CA Sri Lanka Chartered Accounting qualification.
