Senaka Fernando

Having arrived in Cambodia in September 1994 to set up the practice of Ernst & Young in the Kingdom, I was one of the pioneers in the audit and accounting profession. When I arrived in the Kingdom, there were no professionally qualified Cambodians within the profession. I am proud that I was able to recruit, train and guide many of the leading professionals in Cambodia now. When Ernst & Young decided to temporarily suspend their operations in June 2000, I combined the then Ernst & Young firm with the practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers Cambodia in July 2000. I finished my stint in the profession in Cambodia in July 2010 when my job was done and dusted and the role was localized. I take it positively that I have done my job and what was expected of me and I am a victim of my own success. I continue to have a great and a wonderful relationship with the current management of PricewaterhouseCoopers Cambodia.

Thereafter, I continued with the profession indirectly as the Country Head of ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and as the Center Manager of FTMSGlobal Academy (Cambodia) Pte Limited.

Therefore in conclusion, I have worked for 29 years in my life and 22 years in the profession with Ernst & Young Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Cambodia and with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Cambodia, 5 years in the Accountancy Education Sector in Cambodia with ACCA and FTMS and the remainder of 2 the years as an Individual Consultant. I will bring all this rich and valuable experience to the development and success of Funan Consulting.

Outside of my professional qualifications, I was conferred with the title of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by HM Queen Elizabeth II on 23 February 2009 for the promotion of UK Trade and Investment in Cambodia. Please refer to the link for one of the many interviews I have conducted with H.E. Sok Siphana on the popular TV station SEATV. This is to substantiate my role in the development of the accountancy profession here in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Copy this link to your Web Browser for viewing.

Subsequently, after being involved with International Firms, I have decided that I would like to help in whatever way I cam to develop the local accounting firms such as Funan Consulting and also develop the capacity of their staff. This is my commitment to the development of the Cambodian Accounting Profession. Cambodia has graciously hosted me as a foreigner for more than 23 years and I have an obligation to give back in whatever way I can to this great country that is tagged “The Kingdom of Wonder”.