The new revolutionary syllabus by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) has been applauded by the country’s corporate sector, with business leaders terming the new curriculum as an important initiative which will help strengthen the profile of a chartered accountant, and help them partner businesses with sound financial leadership.
A multitude of corporate leaders, including members of CA Sri Lanka who shared their thoughts and expectations of a future chartered accountant was of the opinion that while most chartered accountants were technically very savvy, they needed to be more competent in leadership and communication skills, two core areas, which has now been duly addressed in the new CA Sri Lanka syllabus which will be launched shortly.
A CA Sri Lanka member, who is a Chief Executive Officer was of the opinion that accountants should be trained as business leaders, by combining management aspects with the new syllabus, which will help create a new line of professionals, who will steer businesses while keeping their own unique identity as accountants.
“Leadership skills are a primary requirement for any chartered accountant, apart from oral and written communication skills, which are equally important,” said a non-member CEO, who also added that chartered accountants should be more focused on current affairs of business organisations, and with these skills incorporated their demand for the future will only multiply.
“It’s good to know that CA Sri Lanka has taken into consideration the input from the corporates and the industry experts, and developed the new syllabus which will produces proficient chartered accountants who will also have the unique acumen to become business leaders of contemporary times and steer organisations to enjoy enhanced success,” he said.
In its continuing efforts to provide the country’s youth with a relevant globally recognized accounting qualification, CA Sri Lanka obtained feedback from top business leaders including chairman, CEOs, and other managerial level professionals on how the new curriculum should be positioned during a series of breakfast meetings held last year.
Having been in existence for over five decades, CA Sri Lanka, which is also the country’s national body is one of the largest tertiary education providers in Sri Lanka with a mammoth student base of 44,000 students who are currently following CA Sri Lanka’s globally recognized accounting qualification.