CFA Society Sri Lanka introduces its first-ever program to recognise employers

CFA Society Sri Lanka Top 20 employers

Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe accepts the recognition token from CFA Society Sri Lanka Vice President Aruna Perera

CFA Society Sri Lanka recently took the opportunity to recognise the top 20 employers of CFA Charterholders and candidates in Sri Lanka. The Society also presented tokens to the recognised entities at a luncheon event held on 21 September 2022, where Arati Porwal, Director, Society Relations, CFA Institute, made a presentation on the Future of Work in Investment Management - Skills and Learning.

The highlight of the event was the launch of the ‘Employer Recognition Program (ERP)’ to recognise the top 20 employers who support CFA Program candidates and Charterholders by employing them and providing career guidance and progression.  

The welcome address at the launch event was delivered by CFA Society Sri Lanka Vice President Aruna Perera who remarked: “The top employers of CFA Charterholders globally include JP Morgan, UBS, Royal Bank of Canada, BlackRock and Goldman Sachs. Today, we are launching our Employer Recognition Program, where we recognise the top 20 employers in Sri Lanka. Thank you all for gracing this historic moment with us.”

Outlining the ERP initiative and its benefits to employers, Employer Outreach Committee Chairman Senaka Kakiriwaragodage noted: “Currently, there are approximately 120 employers in both the private and public sectors who recruit CFA Program candidates and Charterholders in Sri Lanka.

:These firms believe that the CFA credential demonstrates superior competency in advanced portfolio management, financial expertise, and technical skills, underpinned by ethical conduct and the highest standards of practice, ultimately underscoring their firm’s commitment to excellence.”

He also observed that CFA members and candidates: “Have helped to serve the needs of client organisations in reliable and unique ways, which in turn would have helped to build positive client relationships. Also, members would have focused on providing firm and investor protection, and reduced risk exposure. I believe these attributes would have helped your organisations to strengthen their competitive advantage.”

The Employer Recognition Program looks to benefit employers by acting as a sign of excellence that sends out a signal to the industry about the support and care provided by an employer to CFA candidates, whilst offering the opportunity to strengthen the bond with the CFA brand. It also helps to attract and retain high-calibre staff at a time the industry faces a talent crunch. The program also allows employers to be listed on the CFA Society Sri Lanka website and enables the use of the CFA Institute Career Centre for recruitment.

CFA Society Sri Lanka President Dinesh Warusavitharana commenting on the Employer Recognition Program, stated: “We wish to offer our deep appreciation to those companies that work closely with the Society, and for continuing to recruit and support CFA Charterholders.”

The Employer Recognition Program would benefit Candidates and CFA Society Sri Lanka in a number of ways. CFA Society Sri Lanka strives to fulfil its role in implementing CFA Institute’s strategic objectives by initiating and maintaining local employer relationships; directly promoting CFA Institute and CFA Society Sri Lanka learning products, hosting CFA Program information sessions; and encouraging employers to support CFA Program candidates in their studies and professional development.

The Society also promotes the CFA Institute Career Center; identifies employer needs: products, professional learning, research, ethics and standards; drives demand for those with the CFA qualification amongst employers in Sri Lanka and thereby expands the job market for them; promotes CFA Institute policy advocacy positions to employers and encourages the adoption of industry standards by engaging directly with employers.

Addressing the event, CFA Institute Director - Society Relations Arati Porwal also commended CFA Society Sri Lanka, highlighting: “Its efforts in launching the ERP initiative, which would serve to further cement the position of the qualification in the country going forward as well.”

The event was attended by representatives of the top 20 employers, including the following key personnel: Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Acuity Knowledge Partners Investment Research Director Rathnakala Kumaragurunathan, NDB Capital Holdings CEO Darshan Perera, KPMG Sri Lanka Managing Partner Yohan Perera, Capital Alliance Chief Strategist Udeeshan Jonas, HSBC Sri Lanka Head HR Sri Lanka and Maldives Chamila Perera, LSEG Sri Lanka Chief Financial Officer Fadhil Jiffry, JB Financial Head of Ethics and Compliance Sonali Perera, Uzabase Sri Lanka Director Content Thilan Sampath, Acuity Partners Managing Director Ray Abeywardena, Commercial Bank of Ceylon DGM HRM Isuru Tillakawardana, Standard Chartered Bank Chief Executive Officer Bingumal Thewarathanthri, (International Finance Corporation HR Focal Point Country Officer Sri Lanka and the Maldives Radiance De Mello, EY Sri Lanka Partner Duminda Hulangamuwa, Citibank Sri Lanka Country Human Resources Officer Vanya Goonetilleke, Bank of Ceylon AGM (Investments) M.R.A. Shakoor, Hatton National Bank CEO Jonathan Alles, Fitch Ratings Lanka  Country Head Maninda Wickramasinghe, Frontier Research Chief Research Officer Nimesha Jayakody and PwC Sri Lanka.

CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. Founded in 2001, the CFA Society of Sri Lanka is a not-for-profit organisation supporting the professional development and advancement of CFA Charterholders and candidates in Sri Lanka.

Its membership of over 240 members consists of CEOs, CFOs, portfolio managers, equity analysts, banking professionals, investment advisors, and other senior-ranking financial practitioners and over 500 candidates, mainly in the financial sector.