Living in a world with limitless choices, the greatest challenge as one could rightly argue, would be to make the right choice at the right time. From an individual's point of view, career selection is a decisive choice that one cannot afford to get it wrong.

Accounting and finance has been one of the most sought-after career options for generations. With increased emphasis on maximizing shareholder wealth, organizations have begun to appreciate finance professionals more than ever before. This has amplified demand for finance professionals across the board. The pinnacle that one could reach in the field of finance is becoming a Chartered Accountant; a status that commands the highest level of respect.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL), a national body of accountants offers the 'chartered' status to individuals in the field of accountancy and finance in Sri Lanka. The Chartered Accountancy qualification offered by ICASL leads to the Chartered Accountant status. The qualification consists of 5 stages and practical training that offer the depth and breadth of knowledge and competencies required of a professional accountant. The stages are namely; the Certificate in Accounting and Business (CAB) 1 and 2, the Strategic Level 1 and 2, and the Post Strategic Level.

In the light of changes in the business environment, financial reporting, accounting and auditing standards and requirements of the employment market, the syllabus is reviewed and revised every 5 years. Subsequent to the syllabus review in 2009, a substantial quantum of business and financial management related content have been brought into the CA curricular offering students the right mix of knowledge and competencies required in today's context. The syllabus reviews are done in compliance with the international education standards introduced by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

The compulsory internship is an integral part of CA qualification, which offers ICASL students the opportunity to practise what they learn in theory and understand broad organizational issues and practices. The institute has nearly 1000 training partners, both audit and non-audit firms, offering students a wider choice in selecting training firms of their preference.

The theoretical knowledge and practical exposure of ICASL students give them a definite edge over their peers in the job market. Presently, over 35,000 students are following the CA qualification making ICASL the largest tertiary education provider in the country, outside the university system.

The unparalleled knowledge and competencies offered by CA qualification coupled with the highest standard of professional ethics harnessed by the institute has made Chartered Accountants highly sought-after in both corporate and government sector organizations. Out of over 4000 Chartered Accountants who have passed out from ICASL, nearly 1,000 members are employed overseas which signifies recognition for the CA qualification, internationally.

As a national body of accountants, ICASL has been instrumental in raising the bar of the accounting profession, enriching the financial landscape of the country.