In a remarkable achievement, Prasenna Balachandran, Vice President Risk and Control of InQube Global, has been honoured as the ACCA National Advocate of the Year in Sri Lanka. 
His journey with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a testament to his dedication, growth and unwavering commitment to promoting the accounting profession throughout the country.
Prasenna Balachandran has been an active contributor to student development activities conducted by ACCA Sri Lanka. This significant involvement is one of the main reasons he has been nominated for the ACCA Advocacy Award. He played a crucial role in organising numerous student-related sessions focusing on topics such as mental and physical well-being, exam support and motivation. Additionally, he was instrumental in creating a student forum for ACCA, further enhancing student engagement and support.
Moreover, he has represented ACCA in various forums, either organised by ACCA or where ACCA’s presence was requested. This includes participating in talent development events as a judge or coordinator and attending networking events.
Prasenna’s motivation to advocate for ACCA’s values and principles is deeply rooted in the organisation’s forward-thinking approach. Inspired by ACCA’s tagline, “Think Ahead”, he said that he appreciates the modern outlook that ACCA embodies. 
Prasenna sees this award as a way to give back to ACCA, which has profoundly shaped his professional journey. He credits ACCA for providing numerous opportunities that helped him develop crucial skills and making him a more competent professional ready for leadership roles in the industry.
Looking to the future, Prasenna hopes to utilise his role as an advocate to bridge the gap between urban and rural opportunities, ensuring that ACCA’s qualification is accessible to all, regardless of their geographic location. This, he believes, is a crucial step in creating a more inclusive and equitable landscape for the profession in Sri Lanka. His vision involves creating targeted initiatives that bring ACCA’s resources and knowledge to underserved communities, including workshops, mentorship programmes and career guidance sessions. By doing so, he aims to empower individuals in these regions with the skills and confidence needed to pursue careers in accounting and finance, thereby making a tangible difference in the lives of those who might otherwise be overlooked.
Moreover, Prasenna is also dedicated to ensuring that the core values of ACCA—such as integrity, innovation and professionalism—are instilled. He believes that by fostering these principles, he can help cultivate a new generation of ethical and forward-thinking professionals who can drive positive change within their regions and beyond.
As for the future, Prasenna envisions ACCA playing a pivotal role with its extensive network of finance professionals across the world, where ACCA is uniquely positioned to lead initiatives that can advance the profession. He sees a particularly promising opportunity in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into financial functions. Prasenna believes that ACCA can spearhead efforts to increase awareness and understanding of AI among finance professionals, emphasising its potential to transform the industry that can help the profession stay ahead of technological advancements and maintain its relevance in a rapidly changing landscape in an ethical manner.
Prasenna Balachandran’s journey as an ACCA advocate exemplifies the impact that dedicated professionals can have on their field. His recognition as the ACCA National Advocate of the Year is a well-deserved honour that highlights his commitment to the profession.