Opportunity knocks: catching up with Kamidu Ravindra

When Kamidu Ravindra moved to London in the summer of 2021 to take up a new role with EY, it was the culmination of a long-held dream. Having qualified with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) in 2017, Kamidu transferred to KPMG Malta, where he became an ICAEW Chartered Accountant in 2020. 

Kamidu’s ambition had always been to work in the UK, and the role at EY, working in insurance audit, was the ideal opportunity. “I was already specialising in insurance, so I knew it was the right career path for me,” he explains. “Once I was there, I had the opportunity to work on different projects in different insurance companies, which allowed me to understand the diversity in the market.”

Some of those projects involved the implementation of IFRS 17, the new international accounting standard for insurance contracts. “I thought it would be an excellent challenge for me to stretch my skills,” Kamidu says, “so I was assigned to a number of GAAP assessments for IFRS 17, working with experienced professionals in the industry.” Though he had learned about the new standard and understood the theory, it was a chance to experience its practical application. “Going into the actual context and looking at it from an insurance perspective in the real world gave me a vast amount of knowledge,” he says. “I started looking for more opportunities, and that’s how I came to specialise in IFRS reporting in the insurance industry.”

His growing expertise soon opened other doors, including sharing his knowledge and experience of IFRS 17 with stakeholders around the world. “I’ve conducted sessions in the UK, Europe and Asia, talking about the theoretical aspects and the practical challenges of implementing the standard,” he explains. “It’s a great opportunity for me, too, to learn about the insurance industry and financial reporting in different countries and hear about the practical challenges – as well as being able to travel and explore different cultures.” 

It also led to a new role: Financial Reporting Accountant at a multinational insurance group.

Embracing opportunities when they come along is something Kamidu does particularly well – even if it means stepping outside his comfort zone. Where does that confidence and self-belief come from? “I think it comes from my family background – my mother and brother have encouraged me to explore new opportunities since my childhood,” he says. “I’ve been really fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive network, from close friends at school and university and good mentors at work. If I ever feel like I’m out of my comfort zone, I know I can lean on them for support.”

The ACA qualification has undoubtedly made a difference, too. “It shows prospective employers what you’re capable of,” he says. “It’s opened so many doors for me – not just the technical aspects, but the soft skills it’s given me, like presentation skills, language proficiency, client management, time management and multitasking.”

As well as a voluntary role with the IFRS Interpretation Committee, Kamidu provides support on the interpretation of various technical matters. He also shared his experiences with students at the University of Sri Jayewardenpura when back in Sri Lanka, as well as at BPP University in London. “I believe the most effective way to success is to help others succeed,” he says. “By sharing our thoughts and experiences as we go along, we can inspire other people.” He maintains close links with CA Sri Lanka, and helps to promote the ICAEW qualification and membership in the country. 

Last year, Kamidu also contributed to a series of ICAEW videos on professional ethics. “Ethics is something we all need to understand, appreciate and adhere to,” he says. “As accountants, we have a huge responsibility towards a variety of stakeholders. Being accountable for our decisions, and being able to make the right decisions at the right time without undue pressure, is paramount.”

Volunteering not only helps others, but also gives Kamidu the opportunity to enhance his own skills – something he thinks all students and members should try to do. “Soft skills make a big difference in our career,” he says. “We may have a wealth of knowledge, but we need to understand how to communicate our knowledge in a precise way, at a precise time to a precise audience. Of course, as we progress in our careers we get opportunities to improve, but we can also improve by getting involved in different activities outside work.”

It’s about being able to critically evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas – and opportunities – for improvement, Kamidu believes. When he first arrived in the UK, he looked for ways to meet new people and build his soft skills at the same time. “I wanted to socialise, but I also wanted to improve my presentation and leadership skills,” he explains. 

In Malta, Kamidu had been a member of public-speaking club Toastmasters, and soon tracked them down in London. “I got the opportunity to meet like-minded people and practise my presentation skills with a native-speaking audience.” He even went on to win an area-wide public-speaking contest, something “I never thought I’d be able to do”.

Since arriving in London, Kamidu has also gained ICAEW Business and Finance Professional (BFP) status and become a Certificate member of the Chartered Insurance Institute. “I believe learning is something I need to do every day,” he says. 

Maintaining a work/life balance is important too, though, and he is embracing everything that London has to offer – including training for his first triathlon. As well as taking part in different city races, he has completed his first half marathon, and last year swam a total of 90km – including in open water at the Royal Docks. “It was a little bit cold!” he says. Three years into life in the capital, does he have any plans to be anywhere else? “Not at the moment. This is the place I thought about and dreamed of.”

Learn more about Kamidu’s journey by reading his Student Insights article from 2021.