Selecting commerce and accounting for my A levels at school really motivated me to pursue accountancy as a career. However, my biggest inspiration came from my father, who always wanted to see me make progress in every part of my life.
I started my career in 2001 with KPMG Sri Lanka in audit before moving to KPMG Qatar in 2005. I left Qatar as senior manager and went on to be resident director for KPMG Maldives in 2012, before relocating to KPMG Sri Lanka in 2018. Here, I lead the IT audit division while looking after the Maldives practice as partner in charge. I have now spent more than 25 years in audit within KPMG.
I stepped out of my comfort zone as soon as I left school, when I decided to pursue a career in this profession. I began by taking the chartered exam in Sri Lanka and then going on to complete my ACCA qualification. As soon as I joined KPMG, I found I had the platform to explore my talents and capabilities.
Greater dependence on AI-related tools will challenge the development of human talent
I believe AI is increasing the profitability of accounting firms and providing a more competitive edge. This is largely through efficiency gains, reducing errors and driving new revenue opportunities. AI allows auditors to test entire datasets, including all journal entries and transactions, rather than small samples, while also bringing more insights into assignments. However, there are risks; I feel it will test people’s trust in the market. There is also a danger that there will be greater dependence on AI-related tools. This will affect morale, challenge the development of human talent and damage human instincts.
What I most enjoy about my job is meeting people and helping them to solve their problems. In accounting, you come across many people who help to bring out your talents while testing your capabilities and sometimes your patience.
I have several favourite sayings that resonate with me, and I particularly like this one: ‘Utter the truth at any cost.’ ‘Do what is right and you won’t go wrong’ is essential advice, too. This one also resonates with me: ‘Speaking about problems will get you nowhere, but speaking about solutions will get you somewhere.’
Staying with KPMG has allowed me to progress in a more efficient manner
Building my career at one firm has helped me to understand how an organisation works from grassroot level. This lets you develop a strong understanding of the firm’s culture, values and decision‑making style, as well as the clients, industries and internal processes. Over time, this makes you a go‑to person whom leaders trust because you understand context, not just theory. Staying with KPMG has also allowed me to set career targets and progress in a more efficient manner.
If I had law-making powers, I would make all legislation simple and straightforward. This would mean that people follow laws for their betterment rather than complicating their lives so much they become frustrated with society.
If I wasn’t an accountant I would have been interested in being a teacher or maybe a lecturer. Teaching appeals to me as I always want to be a catalyst for others.
In my own time I like reading true stories, as these often provide life learning lessons that can help us to become better human beings. However, what I love doing most is playing soccer with my friends.
