The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) Australia held its ceremonial first graduation ceremony recently at the Galle Face Hotel among a group of distinguished guests and invitees. Gracing the occasion on this inaugural convocation were Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation - Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Chief Executive Officer of ICMA Australia - Leon Duval, Chair Education committee of ICMA Australia - Professor Janek Ratnatunga, Chair Sri Lanka Branch - Dr Nalaka Godahewa, President Sri Lanka Branch Murali Prakash and CEO Sri Lanka Branch, Kapila Dodamgoda.
The graduands included entrepreneurs, CEOs, Managing Directors, Directors, General Managers, Consultants and senior executives of large corporates and multinationals.

Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama with other distinguished guests at the event

They hold professional, Bachelor's or Master's level qualifications in marketing, engineering, law, human resources and finance. Ninety graduands of three batches from years 2008 to 2010 were conferred their memberships in different categories at this ceremonious occasion. Seventy five Certified Management Accountants (CMA), fourteen Associate Management Accountants (AMA) and one Graduate Management Accountant were awarded certificates.

"ICMA Australia's contribution to the economy is extremely valuable as it trains and educates high calibre multidisciplinary professionals to take the economy forward at this critical juncture in the country. The private sector plays a pivotal role in the national economy, and we look forward to more investment from the private sector and at a faster pace" said Dr. Amunugama.

"Today's managers should be able to think out of the box. They not only report value but also create significant value for the organizations that they work in" said Professor Janek Ratnatunga. "The curricula of ICMA Australia helps to mould professionals who are capable of making significant contributions towards creating value" he continued.

Dr. Amunugama was awarded an honorary foundation membership of ICMA Australia by Leon Duval-CEO ICMA Australia for his outstanding contribution to the economy at this event. This award will be made annually by ICMA Australia to a distinguished personality at national level.

"The qualification improved my financial literacy significantly and helped me to ascend in the corporate ladder. I now understand the power of numbers in managing a business. CMA (Australia) qualification is a one time investment for lifetime success" said Canisius Fernando, Director Supply Chain at Hemas Manufacturing, who was conferred the CMA Membership at the graduation.

ICMA Australia is a fast growing accounting body in Australia with an increasing membership in Australia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Lebanon, UAE and Sri Lanka. The institute's presence in Sri Lanka goes back to 1999. ICMA Australia is an internationally acclaimed professional qualification that offers competitive advantage to non financial professionals in an ever-changing business environment today.