Canadian finance leader Amal Ratnayake FCMA, CGMA has been named 86th President of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the highest volunteer post of the professional body for management accountants, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. As CIMA President, Ratnayake will represent 228,000 members and students across the world.

In May, Ratnayake was also confirmed as Chairman of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the global accounting organisation formed by CIMA and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) to advance the accounting profession worldwide. In his role as Association Chairman, he will also work to meet the needs of more than 657,000 public and management accountants across 179 countries and territories.

During his term, Ratnayake will focus on advancing a digitally-focused profession, reimagining the services that accounting professionals provide and demonstrating the value they bring in a fast changing business world. He will work closely with AICPA Chair Bill Reeb CPA, CGMA, who will serve as Association Vice Chairman.

Ratnayake said: “For more than a century, we have been developing highly-qualified global finance professionals, but we have also witnessed drastic technology-led change in the world of business and finance. Our profession is now at crossroads, facing both new opportunities and challenges from digital disruption.

“To thrive, we must reimagine what we do and how we do it. We need to embrace new technologies and develop a digital mindset that complements our traditional finance and accounting skills."

Sri Lankan born Ratnayake became a CIMA member in 1993 and began volunteering with the Education and Training Committee of CIMA Sri Lanka soon thereafter. In 2004, whilst living in Canada, he joined the CIMA Canada Board and was appointed as Board Chair in 2012 and 2013. From 2013-2017 he served as CIMA Council representative for the Americas, and chaired CIMA Global Markets Committee from June 2015 to December 2016. In 2017, he joined the Board of Directors of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.

With an MBA from Cranfield School of Management, Ratnayake is currently Chief Financial Officer at The Official Community Corporation, an online event-driven brand management company for established recording artists, and previously held a number of senior finance roles for companies in Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia and Canada.

Other appointments ratified at the CIMA Annual General Meeting include:

  • 2018-19 CIMA President Steven Swientozielskyj FCMA, CGMA became immediate Past President
  • Nick Jackson FCMA, CGMA was elected as Deputy President
  • Paul Ash FCMA, CGMA was elected as Vice President