Q: How do you plan to leverage your experience in the banking and financial sector to shape the strategic direction of the Association of Accounting Technicians of Sri Lanka (AAT Sri Lanka)?

A: With my background in banking spanning over three decades, and 15 years dedicated to senior and corporate management roles, I’ve honed my skills in strategic development, implementation and review. These experiences are invaluable as I transition into the role of President of AAT Sri Lanka.

In my banking career, I’ve been intricately involved in crafting and executing strategies to drive organisational success. Now, I see parallels in how these strategies can be adapted and applied within the framework of AAT. Over the past decade, serving on the council and spending four years as the secretary have provided me with intimate knowledge of the organisation’s workings.

Drawing from my extensive experience across multiple organisations, I understand the importance of aligning strategies with overarching goals and continuously adapting them to changing environments. This approach is fundamental to my vision for AAT Sri Lanka, where I aim to leverage my expertise to propel the institute forward.

Q: What measures are you taking to tailor continuing education opportunities to address the evolving needs of accounting professionals?

A: Sri Lankan accounting institutions are committed to staying ahead of the curve, continuously refining their offerings to meet the evolving needs of professionals. Through customised courses, flexible learning formats, specialised training and robust professional development programmes, they ensure that professionals are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

In response to the evolving landscape of the education sector, our focus at AAT Sri Lanka is adapting to emerging trends and providing students with new opportunities. We’re constantly fine-tuning our AAT programme to meet the changing demands of the market and ensure its relevance for the future.

One key aspect of our strategy is developing a forward-thinking curriculum that anticipates future needs. This involves not only updating existing programmes but also creating new courses and learning formats tailored to the demands of tomorrow’s workforce.

We’re committed to making our offerings more accessible through innovative technologies such as online platforms to enhance the learning experience and reach a broader audience of students.

We are investing in the development of learning management systems (LMS) to facilitate the efficient delivery of our curriculum. Drawing inspiration from international best practices, we’re incorporating modern teaching methodologies, and integrating concepts like AI and business intelligence, into our syllabus to prepare students for the evolving landscape of the accounting profession.

Our approach involves a comprehensive review and revision of our curriculum to ensure its alignment with industry trends and technological advancements, thus equipping our students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the future.

And our institute provides tailored courses addressing accounting challenges with diverse learning formats and specialised training in areas like forensic accounting. Professional development programmes enhance soft skills, and collaboration with industry partners ensures practical curriculum development and continuous improvement aligned with industry needs.

Q: How do you plan to elevate the AAT brand both locally and internationally?

A: Our institute holds prestigious memberships in the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA).

Being a full member of these esteemed organisations alongside 185 prestigious member bodies and 135 jurisdictions, and with peers like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), we enjoy international recognition and acceptance.

Moreover, our qualifications carry weight globally, being recognised by institutions such as the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) in Australia and Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) UK. This recognition extends to our members, who are sought after for employment opportunities worldwide.

Furthermore, we have collaborated with several local and foreign universities on exemption pathways, and this facilitates the elevation of our brand both locally and internationally.

AAT Sri Lanka’s mission is to be the ‘most recognised mid-level accounting and business qualification’ globally. Our vision is to equip our students and members with the knowledge, skills, attitude and mindset to become best in class mid-level accounting and business professionals.

Q: And how do you plan to utilise social media platforms to engage with members and raise awareness about AAT Sri Lanka’s activities?

A: Our content strategy for AAT Sri Lanka encompasses a diverse range of posts designed to inform, engage and promote our institute. Our platform offers valuable insights on accounting and finance, empowering our audience with relevant information.

Profiles of accomplished AAT Sri Lanka members inspire others and highlight community successes. We also conduct diverse workshops, seminars and events for learning and industry connections.

Q: What are the key challenges faced in the education sector?

A: Disparities in education persist especially between urban and rural areas, where challenges like inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of qualified teachers hinder learning quality.

Government funding shortages further impede progress by limiting investments in infrastructure, materials and teacher training while overemphasis on public funding restricts private education growth.

– Compiled by Allaam Ousman
COMPANY DETAILS

Telephone: 2559669 | Email: indrakaliyanage@gmail.com | Website: www.aatsl.lk