CMA-SLITHM launch CHFMA programme

The Institute of Chartered Management Accountants (CMA) in partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (SLITHM) this week launched the Certified Hospitality Finance and Management Accounting (CHFMA) programme to bring greater professionalism into hotel accountancy.

“I consider this a timely initiative because the tourism industry is growing at a rapid pace and the need of the hour is to have qualified professionals,” Tourism Development, Land and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga said at the launch, which was held at the SLITHM auditorium.

He said that CMA partnering with the SLITHM reinforces the position of the SLITHM as the industry’s premier professional training institute. Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts Senior Vice President/sector Financial Controller Sunil Peiris said that the latest programme is essential, despite the existence of a myriad of different accountancy professional qualifications in the country.

“If you look at the current hospitality industry, the finance professionals who are employed, you would agree, are not professionally qualified. They have learned what they know— and they do a great job—on the job and they come up to the ranks they’re holding now,” he said. He further added that the qualification would open up wide career choices for CHFMA members.

The programme would take three years to complete from the Foundation level, to the Professional qualification, with multiple entry paths at the start of each stage.

To become an Associate of CHFMA, three years of work experience in the hospitality industry under a mentor as per the programme guidelines are mandatory, while five years of senior executive experience would make one eligible to become a Fellow of CHFMA.

The entry criteria for the Foundation stage are either two passes in GCE A/L or GCE O/L and two years of experience in the hospitality industry. The lectures will be held at the SLITHM.