The Chartered Accountant’s Journey: Practical Wisdom from Mr. Jeewantha Perera

In a remarkable session hosted by the Student Forum of the Association of Chartered Accountants of Kandy on 11th June 2025, aspiring Chartered Accountants had the rare privilege of gaining firsthand insights from one of the most respected finance professionals—Mr. Jeewantha Perera, Head of Finance at Browns Hotels & Resorts(ltd)

As part of the Road to CA series, this third session was not merely a lecture but an intellectually engaging dialogue that combined technical acumen, practical experience, and motivational clarity. Mr. Perera’s deep expertise in finance and his journey from trainee to leader laid the foundation for an insightful, motivational, and strategically rich discussion.

Empowering Future Chartered Accountants

The session began with a welcome address from Mr.Dhammika Gunasekara, Partner at E&Y who emphasized AKCA’s mission to increase the number of Chartered Accountants emerging from Kandy and across Sri Lanka. He highlighted the global demand for CAs and shared AKCA’s vision of guiding students on their journey through collaborative and motivational platforms like this one.

Key Themes and Highlights from the Discussion
Three Pillars of a Successful CA Career

Qualifications: Completion of all CA examinations.
Experience: Both pre-qualification and post-qualification practical exposure.
Soft Skills: Strong communication, IT skills, and the ability to work as a team player.

Career Ladder for a CA

Mr. Perera mapped out the typical corporate journey of a Chartered Accountant

Accounts Assistant → Accounts Officer → Senior Accounts Officer → Assistant Accountant → Accountant → Finance Manager → Senior Finance Manager → Financial Controller / Head of Finance → Sector CFO / CFO → CEO / Managing Director / Board of Directors.

This ladder showcased how CAs can rise to leadership roles due to their deep financial insight and strategic thinking.

Why CA Exams Are Perceived as Challenging

Complex concepts and technical accounting standards.
Real-world application of theoretical knowledge.
Frequent changes due to evolving regulations and technology.
Lack of consistent question practice.
Gaps in understanding the logical connection between theory and application.
Inadequate student commitment or poor time management.

Strategic Advice for CA Exam Success
Phase 1 – Preparation Strategy

Complete individual theory studies before attempting group work.
- Form small, focused study groups with equally motivated peers.
- Relate theory to real-life examples during group discussions.
- Discuss past papers in detail and examine answer techniques.

Phase 2 – Execution Strategy

Engage in model paper discussions under timed conditions.
- Identify frequently tested areas and create revision plans around them.
- Review and update short notes regularly to keep knowledge fresh.

Short Notes Strategy

Mr. Perera demonstrated how to summarize complex audit standards into one-page visual short notes using diagrams, keywords, and structured bullet points. He stressed that students should prepare their own notes rather than relying solely on others’, and revise them weekly. A master short note consolidating 4–5 key standards can be especially helpful closer to the exam date.

Additional Tips from Mr. Perera

Use high-quality study materials and stay consistent with revisions.
Minimize distractions—especially social media—for at least 14 days before exams.
Don’t panic over unfamiliar topics. Instead, focus on what you know and aim for 50+ marks.
Practice writing full answers and managing time under exam-like conditions. If face-to-face group study is difficult, review short notes and connect online.
Identify weak areas early and allocate more time to strengthen them.

Motivational Insights
Mr. Perera inspired students with his personal journey of qualifying as a CA at the age of 24, encouraging others to push forward despite obstacles such as time constraints or age. He reiterated that age is never a barrier—some professionals have qualified even in their late 30s or 40s and built strong careers.

Practical Advice on Training and Career Building

Start your training at a reputed audit firm to gain cross-industry exposure.
Practical learning enriches your understanding of theory and improves job readiness.
Develop fraud detection and analytical skills, especially if you're interested in forensic auditing.

Conclusion: A Roadmap to Success
This session provided more than academic guidance—it was a roadmap to personal and professional success. With renewed motivation and clear strategies, students now feel empowered to take their next steps on the challenging yet rewarding road to becoming Chartered Accountants.

Article by :Umara Shafana

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