Why Finance Why ACCA

The accountancy profession can play an essential role in transforming the world to deliver a more equitable, green and inclusive future. The global nature of accountancy - and the central role of accountants working in and for organisations - means the profession is unique in its ability to drive change and help build a better world. When you study with ACCA, you can take your career in any direction. You open doors to the best and most interesting roles all over the world. And you become one of the sought-after finance professionals our fast-changing world needs.

We had Sri Lanka’s outstanding affiliates of ACCA sharing their views around the topic “why finance? Why ACCA?”.

:une ϮϬϮϬ Rishan Rasikeen

Rishan was the World Prize Winner for Strategic Business Leader (SBL) subject in 2021 march exam session. He was the Sri Lankan Prize Winner for Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) and Advanced Performance Management (APM)AS well. Currently he is reading for the BSC. in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University UK.

Rishan is a lecturer at Willesden College International and an assistant lecturer at Platinum Business Academy.

1. Why did you choose a qualification in finance? What made you choose ACCA as your preferred qualification?

In the modern world, financial literacy is a vital tool for professionals. It has been an aim of mine during my school days to pursue finance as my preferred qualification so I can learn as well as educate society of how important it is to manage finance effectively and to generate more value for what is being earned. After conducting an extensive research on which qualification I needed to pursue, it was more obvious that ACCA was the best qualification among all of what is currently available in the industry.

2. How was your overall ACCA journey? My ACCA journey put on simple words, was indeed a rollercoaster ride. It had many positives and yet it did had a few hiccups. From rushing on my skills level by taking three subjects at a time, the pressure was intense and combined together with my full-time work as well as part-time work, the qualification did bring out a tougher side. However, from marginally passing the “Applied Skills level” to achieving Sri Lankan and World Prizes in “Strategic Professionals level,” ACCA did taught me a lot of academic, professional as well as application skills to which I look forward in using to advance my career to the next level. ACCA is indeed a life changing qualification.

3. What are the key professional skillsets you managed to acquire by completing ACCA ?

I acquired a lot of finance related knowledge together with numerous professional skills, the ability to work under pressure, deliver key presentations, work within a team and be prepared for the daily attributes in my life.

4. How has ACCA helped you acquire employability skills?

Being equipped with the ACCA qualification under my belt, I have a learnt on how to work more efficiently, productively and to closely be in touch with the current world and its changes with regards to commerce, business and technology. I have learnt on how I could apply real world scenarios to what was learnt and to combine them to create effective solutions to address different situations in my line of work.

September ϮϬϮϬ Fathima Shukra Shumsdeen

It’s an honor to be a world prize winner twice and finally receive the top affiliate award after completing all 13 papers in my first attempt. ACCA has opened many opportunities for me to explore in my higher education and my career. Earning Top Affiliate title is a great addition to my portfolio and will help me stand out from the rest. I must thank ACCA, my mentors, family members and friends who have supported me throughout this wonderful journey

Why did you choose a qualification in finance? What made you choose ACCA as your preferred qualification?

I was attracted by the financial professional from such a young age where I made a concrete decision to explore finance for a qualification. I chose ACCA since it is a globally recognized qualification, and it gives us the ability to explore opportunities worldwide.

How was your overall ACCA journey?

The journey of becoming an ACCA affiliate was indeed strenuous but all the effort I put in seemed worthwhile once I gained the top affiliate recognition. I must immensely thank all my lecturers and family who supported and motivated me throughout this journey. With the right support mechanism, I managed to win two global prizes and four Sri Lankan prizes.

What are the key professional skillsets you managed to acquire by completing ACCA?

ACCA is a qualification which give priority to both the technical knowledge and the professional skills. In my ACCA journey I was able to explore and enhance my professional skills including communication, negotiation, leadership, and business acumen.

How has ACCA helped you acquire employability skills?

I believe ACCA has provided me with the right platform to demonstrate my knowledge and skills in the corporate world. ACCA has made me an employable graduate which is currently the need of the hour.

December ϮϬϮϬ Dilushka De Mel

Dilushka de Mel was the Deputy head prefect of st. Joseph’s College Colombo 10. He currently works as an analyst at Capital Alliance Limited and is an active member of the old joes choir and rotaractor. He completed his ACCA in December 2021 and obtained 4 Sri Lankan Prizes

Why did you choose a qualification in finance? What made you choose ACCA as your preferred qualification?

As a school student, I wished to pursue a career in engineering, however when I was introduced to the subject of accountancy I was immediately drawn to the field of finance and understanding how companies perform and what drives their performance, it was at this point that I came across the ACCA qualification.

How was your overall ACCA journey? My ACCA journey wasn’t a walk in the park. From navigating my studies through a pandemic, and finding the perfect work, study, life balance ACCA gave me the opportunity to test my abilities. The support provided by ACCA Sri Lanka was a helping hand whether it be exam prep support with mock examination or seminars to understand how to face my examinations.

What are the key professional skillsets you managed to acquire by completing ACCA ?

The ACCA syllabus is unique since it focuses on multiple aspects of the finance industry from taxation, law, financial reporting or business strategy, ACCA teaches it all. In addition to ACCAS study material, the EPSM ensures that its students aren’t only knowledgeable but also ethical individuals.

How has ACCA helped you acquire employability skills?

I believe ACCA has made a qualified employee with diverse skills which can be used in any function of a business, which is something that benefits my employer.

:une ϮϬϮϮ Dulanũalee <odagoda

I’m Dulanjalee Kodagoda, currently working at Ernst & Young as an Associate Consultant. I’m a First Class degree holder from University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Department of Accounting. I’m a Cima Passed Finalist. I studied at Girls’ High School, Kandy. I completed all the subjects in Strategic Professional level through self studies with so much enthusiasm and passion.

Why did you choose a qualification in finance? What made you choose ACCA as your preferred qualification?

I have always fancied a career in the field of accounting and finance from a very young age. I started ACCA via the exemption pathway offered to bachelor’s degree holders in Accounting from University of Sri Jayewardenepura. I consider ACCA as the leading accounting qualification in the world, which inspired me to take me through a wonderful journey in the career of finance. How was your overall ACCA journey?

When I started ACCA, I did not have a clear idea where the ACCA journey would take me. However now, I see a bright future ahead, with sparkling opportunities. ACCA journey wasn’t a walk in the park for me, yet I did all the exams in Strategic Professional level through self study, within one year with utmost dedication. ACCA study support materials, practice platform, ‘practice to pass’ webinar series, model papers were immensely helpful for me to pass each and every exam with flying colours.

What are the key professional skillsets you managed to acquire by completing ACCA? ACCA is a qualification I followed passionately. The knowledge I gained from this qualification is enormous and it is a lifetime treasure for me. ACCA qualification gave me so much confidence and reputation to build myself as an elite professional.

How has ACCA helped you acquire employability skills?

ACCA helped me to mold myself with sound technical understanding and subject knowledge. I am equipped with professionalism and a strong ethical background from the subject areas I learnt from ACCA professional qualification. Wherever I go in my career, I can present myself as a proud ACCA member.

March ϮϬϮϮ Arshad ,ameem

I started my ACCA journey a little over two and a half years ago when I sat for my first knowledge level exam. Since then, I have had the opportunity to win two Sri Lankan prizes alongside two top 10 world ranks. Furthermore, I have been employed at KPMG Sri Lanka during the past two years while working towards completing my examinations. This helped me in understanding and retaining the knowledge I gathered in the classroom by applying it in my professional career which I believe helped me to pass all the exams in the first attempt

Why did you choose a qualification in finance? What made you choose ACCA as your preferred qualification?

It was my interest in working with numbers and data that initially led me to choosing a qualification in finance.

The fact that finance job roles are constantly evolving with professionals in this field having a high chance of career development within a relatively short period further spiked my interest in choosing a career in finance.

I chose ACCA because it is a globally recognized professional qualification which is focused on evolving to keep up with the industry requirements.

The wide variety of subjects that ACCA covers within the course such as audit, taxation, financial reporting and financial management gives the student a good understanding of the accounting and finance industry.

How was your overall ACCA journey? During my ACCA journey I was able to pass all the exams in the first attempt and had the privilege of winning two national prizes alongside two top 10 world ranks. What helped me the most in passing these exams was question practice. I used to practice all the past paper exams provided by ACCA and read the examiner feedback on common pitfalls students faced and how to overcome them.

What are the key professional skillsets you managed to acquire by completing ACCA?

I was also employed full time at one of the big four accounting firms while studying for my ACCA exams. This made me realise that unlike other qualifications, the knowledge you gather in the classroom while studying ACCA is relevant, up to date and is applied in the real world.

How has ACCA helped you acquire employability skills?

I believe the professional skills such as analysis, evaluation and skepticism gained by completing ACCA are crucial when you enter the corporate world. The computer-based exams also ensure that the students are well equipped in using spreadsheet functions as well as word processors which are important employability skills to possess.