The CFO at the Official Community Corporation has been tasked with ensuring the institute's continued strength.
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) announced the appointment of Amal Ratnayake as its 86th President, the highest volunteer post.
As CIMA President, Amal will represent 228,000 members and students across the world and be responsible for ensuring the continued strength of the Institute.
In a statement, CIMA said that Amal takes office as the work of accounting and finance professionals undergoes sweeping changes. “Technology is transforming everything from audits to the role of the CFO, requiring new skills and new ways of working,” the statement read.
It further stated that Amal will focus on advancing a digitally-focused profession, reimagining the services that accounting professionals provide and demonstrating the value they bring in a fast-changing business world.
Regarding his appointment, Amal said:
“I am delighted to have been elected by my peers to serve as CIMA President and chairman of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, particularly at such a significant time for the profession.
“For more than a century, we have been developing highly-qualified global finance professionals, but we have also witnessed a drastic technology-led change in the world of business and finance. Our profession is now at crossroads, facing both new opportunities and challenges from digital disruption. To thrive, we must reimagine what we do and how we do it. We need to embrace new technologies and develop a digital mindset that complements our traditional finance and accounting skills.”
Amal was born in Sri Lanka and became a CIMA member in 1993. He has an MBA from Cranfield School of Management and is currently CFO at the Toronto-based Official Community Corporation. He previously held a number of senior finance roles for companies in Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia and Canada.
