CIMA professional development record form Please feel free to extend the rows or provide additional pages if more space is required. Contact ID DEFINE XXXX First name Rifka Last name Ziyard Job title Manager Tax & Regulatory Key responsibilities Engaged in advising multinational and local clients pertaining to tax and regulatory implications on cross border trade and investment, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate restructuring. Advising on tax planning measures and assisting companies in managing taxes efficiently ASSESS DESIGN ACT REFLECT Development need/learning objective What skills or knowledge gaps have I identified? Date identified Action e.g. development activity undertaken What activities have I undertaken to meet my needs and/or objectives? Status: In progress or date completed Reflect on the impact to your performance Did I achieve my objectives/what did I learn/ how did this impact on my work/team/career? Gain greater knowledge in taxation June 2012 To obtain a professional qualification in taxation. January 2013 Completed the final level of the taxation course organized by the Sri Lanka Institute of Taxation and I am now an Associate Member of Sri Lanka Institute of Taxation (ATII). Career development December 2012 The completion of the course gave me a well recognized qualification as a tax professional. I gained sufficient knowledge from the course especially in the areas of double taxation and indirect taxes. Mentoring from my reporting partner. I have constant communication with my partner on my career progress. He provides feedback on what areas I should concentrate on and areas for me to improve. Under his
guidance, I have identified international tax and M&A tax as my specialist tax areas. Team building/ mentoring coaching February 2013 Attended mentoring/coaching training organized by KPMG. I have learnt to provide timely feedback to my subordinates which helps them also to grow. Refer reading material on mentoring and coaching. Organizing events and management skills Ability to manage and host an event May 2013 July 2014 Get involved in organizing events and managing events. I was involved in organizing the VAT workshop, Bankers forum to address tax issues at KPMG I have improved my organizing skills from one event to another. I have improved my delegation skills, to ensure that my team receives clear communication on what tasks to do; and improved my ability to work within designated time framework. Post the event; I make it a point to talk to the clients who attended the event in order to identify areas of improvement for the future. I always obtain feedback from my reporting partner on how I did and areas that I need to improve. This allows me to identify areas in which I need to improve. CIMA hosted a seminar on Recent Tax Amendment 2014. I was given an opportunity to host the seminar where I had to make the welcome speech, introduce the panel and the vote of thanks. The event included an elite
Increase knowledge in case law June 2013 Case laws are very important in providing value added services to the clients. I have started doing research on case laws by referring to law journals. panel. This was a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate my ability to host an event. The experience provided me with the confidence and also assisted in networking with the audience. Being in a service providing firm, value addition is of great importance. Adding case laws to an advice supports the tax position taken in the advice and appreciation from clients. Exposure in international taxation September 2013 Attended training in Dubai organized by KPMG Dubai on international taxation. The training educated me on the taxes applicable in other countries. Such research knowledge is helpful to obtain deeper understanding on a subject. I gained insights into practical tax issues that other countries face, which assists me in providing advice to my clientele from foreign countries. Improve my knowledge in new areas of taxation (mergers and acquisition tax) March 2014 Attended a KPMG International training on fundamentals of mergers and acquisitions held in Beijing, China. It was a 2 day programme which included case studies and presentations. Met KPMG colleagues from different parts of the world and was able to build a good relationship with them. Was able to understand diverse cultures and many appreciated my ability to communicate clearly. This training provided me the confidence to mingle with and handle people from different cultures and backgrounds. The trainers were happy with the depth of technical knowledge I demonstrated during the case study analysis sessions. I was able to learn the tax implications on
mergers and acquisitions in other countries Networking/managing relationships with KPMG colleagues Ability to adapt to new cultures. September 2013 & March 2014 Was able to network with senior colleagues from the Middle Eastern Region in attending training in Dubai. Attended KPMG International training on fundamentals of mergers and acquisitions which was held in Beijing, China. Met KPMG colleagues from different parts of the world and was able to build a good relationship with them. Was able to understand diverse cultures and many appreciated my ability to communicate clearly. These trainings provided me the confidence to socialize and handle people from different cultures and backgrounds. Improve presentation skills November 2013 Create opportunities and make use of opportunities for client presentations. I was requested to make presentation on Value Added Tax to an audience of 50 which included senior managers and CFOs. Made presentation on FATCA registration in 2014 to banks & financial institutions. Each presentation enhances my confidence and the feedback I receive assists me in identifying improvement areas. Made successful presentation and got good reviews as well. The positive feedback received was that my delivery was professional, clear and displayed my knowledge in the chosen area. Understanding of the changes in the fiscal policies of Sri Lanka January 2014 CIMA Sri Lanka hosted a seminar on budget proposals 2014, which gave an insight on all the changes proposed in the budget. January 2014 The changes in the fiscal policies impacts the tax system of the countries. So being up to date on the changes is vital to ensure that my clients are always updated. July 2014 CIMA Sri Lanka organized an event on recent amendments to tax statutes which provided details on the legislated laws for 2014. July 2014
Refer to the ministry of finance and fiscal policy website of Sri Lanka and also the Central bank website on any new changes to the policies. In progress An understanding of the competitiveness of markets and how to face such challenges Continuous update on market changes June 2014 April 2014 CIMA CEO Charles Tilley addressed a selected few from KPMG at the KPMG Sri Lanka auditorium, prior to the commencement of the Business Leaders Summit. He gave insights of the evolving demands on professionals and how professionals should handle business challenges. Discussion with my reporting Partner on changes in the market and making strategic plans on how to approach such changes. June 2014 Keeping in touch with the market changes domestic and international is vital in my field as taxation makes a significant impact in decision making. Update on different areas assists me to update my clients on any changes that might affect them. Eg: FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) although introduced in 2010, Sri Lankan Financial Institutions were unaware of it. It was with the guidance of my reporting partner that in April 2014, we made many presentations to the banks and financial institutions in order to create awareness on FATCA registration and obligations. Research in new tax areas April 2014 Research on FATCA by way of accessing KPMG Global material, reading articles on website and communication with KPMG global network. I am recognized as a resource person for FATCA in KPMG Sri Lanka. Also gave me the opportunity to contact many senior partners/colleagues who specialize in FATCA in KPMG global firms.
EVALUATE I verify that this record is a true reflection of my development needs identified through the CPD cycle and undertaken over the past 12 months. I confirm that I will take forward any relevant outstanding development needs to the next CPD cycle.