“CIMA has everything in it,” says Malith Fernando who now heads his own company

Friday, 9 September 2016 16:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

At 28, Malith is the Senior Manager, Finance and Strategy at Embark and also the Managing P a r t n e r o f his own consul tancy fi rm Zion Business M a n a g e m e n t Consultants. His career began with CIMA, when he started attending classes soon after O leve l exams and was an Operational level student by the time he sat for his A level exams. He admits it was a hectic time, albeit with many rewards later. After A levels, Malith b e g an audit training at one of the four big accounting firms, and after five years, began the management consulting division at this firm t o gether with a colleague. A few years later, he began working at Embark where he now leads finance, strategy and new ventures; and in February this year, established his own company aimed at helping o r g a n i s a t i o n s improve their business practices, and now employs 13 people. “ C I M A h a s everything in it – financial accounti n g , m a n a g e - ment accounting, marketing, HR, IT, sustainabil - ity,” says Malith; and elaborates “I have implemented the Global M a n a g e m e n t A c c o u n t i n g Principles in all my projects in a range of industries; from fashion, hospitality, CSR, advertising to manufacturing.”

Looking back, Malith lauds his decision to begin CIMA early (on the advice of a f amily friend who is also a CIMA member) and says that he even found preparing for his A level exams easier because of the foundat i o n a l knowledge he gained from CIMA. He also recalls the struggles he had with his CIMA exams – there have been several instances where he had to re-sit for exam two or three times. “Setting personal goals and following them is the best way to stay motivated,” says Malith who does not believe in delaying exams. In addition to CIMA, Malith has also completed an MBA. Commenting on CIMA’s joint ve n t u re w i t h AICPA (American I n s t i t u t e o f CPAs) as well as the formation of the new association, Malith is unequivocal in his opinion that he considers it a great privilege and is looking forward to exciting developments in the future.