KPMG SRI LANKA

Over 125 years, KPMG Sri Lanka has inspired confidence by building trust while empowering change to shape a better future. Its purpose is rooted in a rich history, built on the role to protect public interest while shaping a better future for its clients, people, stakeholders and society. Given the immense pressures on business and increasing challenges in society, KPMG helps to empower the change needed to solve the toughest challenges and lead the way forward. As a ‘people business,’ KPMG’s teams define what they can achieve while its values give its human capital a strong foundation that is fit for the future.

Q: What are the pillars of your organisation’s success amidst many challenging conditions?

Yohan Perera (YP): KPMG is driven by two pillars of success, which are growth and trust. We concede that trust is the foremost pillar amidst all of these challenging conditions – and that value means everything right now. Our focus is to become the most trusted and trustworthy professional services firm and grow our market share, not simply to focus on the growth of our market share.

We worked closely with our clients by supporting them in resolving new challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak. And we continue to provide the required guidance to address the fresh challenges posed due to the prevailing economic conditions.

Q: How does a corporate’s commitment to continuous innovation help it to garner respect?

YP: The rules are being rewritten and everything is changing, the problems are extensive and the challenges are consequential. People, businesses and society need our expertise, as well as abilities – and these are to connect, analyse and lead the way.

Technology is reshaping our products, services and solutions. It’s changing the way we work and how we do business. Beginning with our deep understanding of our clients’ needs and market trends, we continue to invest in solutions that we know are needed.

Our network focuses on common investments and leverages on new ways of working to deliver solutions in a cost-effective way – with quality being at the heart of everything we do.

Q: How has your organisation gained greater acceptance since repositioning itself as a truly Sri Lankan entity?

Suren Rajakarier (SR): We have always been a Sri Lankan organisation with international affiliations that is implementing global standards in the local market. Prior to our exclusive affiliation with KPMG, we represented many global brands but still managed to operate as a Sri Lankan entity.

Q: What are the ways in which corporate reputation gives businesses a competitive edge?

SR: Our values represent what we believe in, as well as that which is important to us as a firm. They guide our behaviours to build a reputation as a trusted professional outfit. We never lose sight of the importance of our role in building trust in the capital markets, as well as business in general.

This behaviour over a longer period of time has sustained and guided our firm to become a reputable advisor and it’s obviously given us a competitive edge. As a people oriented business, KPMG’s teams define what it can achieve while its values give its human capital a strong foundation that is fit for the future.

Q: In what ways can the quality of products and services garner respect for corporates over the longer term in business?

Priyanka Jayatilake (PJ): As a professional services firm, our focus is on ‘Growing with Trust.’ Therefore, integrity and excellence are very important to us. Quality is fundamental in building trust. So we have always focused on excellence in terms of quality through continuous improvement.

This includes developing the skills and knowledge of our people; enabling them to understand emerging trends in the market and changes in regulatory environment; knowledge sharing within the KPMG network to introduce innovation to our service deliveries; investment in technology-based service tools to ensure efficiency, and well-defined policies and processes, set by our global network – to guarantee consistency and quality standards.

Our commitment to quality is underpinned by our values, which form the foundation of our culture and set the tone at the top.

Q: In your opinion, how important are stakeholder perceptions – and why?

Suresh Perera (SP): Stakeholder perceptions are critical for any business organisation. We are a ‘people business’ and stakeholder perceptions are very important to us as a professional services firm. It strengthens our brand reputation and provides independent affirmation of how effective we are in achieving our purpose: to become the most trusted and trustworthy professional firm.

The primary component of KPMG values is integrity. We are dedicated to upholding the integrity of our services over quality through well-defined governance structures. These are built on the pillars of integrity, honesty, professionalism, transparency, ethics, accountability, diligence and sound governance – with risk management systems and continuous quality reviews.

And the commitment to upholding this culture of values has established a strong market reputation for the firm.

Q: What role can corporates play in uplifting Sri Lanka’s image on the international stage?

Shiluka Goonewardene (SG): Each and every corporate should reach out to their foreign business partners, principals, customers and contacts – and highlight the realities on the ground compared to what is sometimes portrayed in the media. They can also work with the various business chambers to facilitate virtual investment promotion to highlight the potential opportunities.

Q: What are the main attributes of your company’s image?

Ranjani Joseph (RJ): At KPMG, we continuously focus on ‘Growing with Trust’ to become the most trusted and trustworthy professional firm. Our values are core to who we are as a firm, what it means to work at KPMG and how it helps us to achieve our purpose.

We focus on ‘working together as a team for the better, to do what matters, to do what is right to ensure excellence in our services and to act with courage’. These attributes have helped us to build our firm’s image.

Our brand is anchored in helping our clients to build trust, transform and succeed – so when insights drive action, great outcomes can eventuate. In a world where rapid change and unprecedented disruption are the ‘new normal,’ we inspire confidence and empower change in all that we do.

KPMG has built its brand image as a trusted and trustworthy professional services firm over decades, governed by a strong value system. It is committed to the highest standards of personal and professional behaviour. The commitment to uphold its value culture has helped to establish a strong market reputation.

QUICK-FIRE ROUND

Three recommendations to revive Sri Lanka’s economy
Address the fiscal deficit by bringing back financial discipline.
Resolve the balance of payments deficit.
Ensure independence of key agencies and regulators.

Three most admired global business leaders
Ratan Tata
Warren Buffett
Tim Cook

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