Sasanka Rodrigo

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s oldest environmental organisation, uniquely placed with memberships of governments, NGO’s and civil society constituents, supported by over 1,000 staff worldwide in 40+ offices, commission members and partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world.

Since I started in 2008, my roles and responsibilities have changed and evolved fluidly.

General Accounting, Internal controls, reporting and management:

• Routine accounting operations, reviewing data, compliance with donor regulations and swiss code of obligations (Swiss Law).
• Enabling transition from Swiss Law to Swiss GAAP for YE2024.
• Developing and maintaining internal control mechanisms to identify, minimise and mitigate risk.
• Reviewing invoices for compliance with procurement rules, approve weekly payment runs and Bank signatory for outward payments.
• Global ledger review, verification, data validation and trouble shooting at global level.
• Analysing accounting records, statements and understanding financial situations of members and partners.
• Monthly, quarterly and annual control review and reconciliations of regional Office financials.
• Liaison with auditors, support external audits by providing feedback, analysis and process information.
• Preparation of annual financial statements and project management information.
• Review, assist and collaborate on matters related finance staff globally, including training, capacity building and preparing user manuals and guidelines to improve effectiveness.

ERP, reporting systems and E-payments:

• Manage, troubleshoot, design, test and implement improvements within Microsoft NAV and other connected systems, super user of NAV and Jet Reports.
• Help improve reporting and digitisation of processes by design and deployment of reports for global use, using Jet Reports and NAV, including designing specialist reports for accounting back office operations.
• Working collaboratively with IT/ERP teams using Jira tickets and Confluence portals, using Agile project management methodologies.
• Supporting financial management and reporting for complex multi donor projects.
• Manage Online payment/donation systems + Credit card portals.

IUCN membership finance management:

• Management of IUCN membership dues – CHF 13 m income per annum, including invoicing, receipting and reminder processes and distribution.
• Support re-assessing membership dues, rollout and reporting to management team (CFO, Directors and IUCN Council).
• Supporting Membership and Commissions support team & over 1,400 IUCN members, including strategic financial advice on day-to-day operations and decision making.
• Manage receivables related to Membership dues.
• Review and assess membership applications in relate to annual fees.

Highlights:

• Streamlined membership finance management with custom reporting, review, design & implementation of system improvements - Invoicing, PDF distribution, access to information, data analysis.
• Dues re-assessment results rollout and increasing annual membership dues by 1m.
• Developing guidelines and processes for ERP implementation, from analysing requirements to vendor selection process, held key role in design, review and implementation of NAV ERP system in 2011 and subsequent upgrades.
• Support NAV rollout to regions, collaborating with external partners and internal colleagues.
• Business process analysis and developing analytical reports and exception reports for global use, resulting on productivity gains.
• Supporting IUCN office in Brussels - Belgium during transitionary period (from October 2019 - for 5 months).
• Overhauled ineffective work practices related to internal cross charging and redesigned process to maximise efficiency.

Started as Finance Officer handling programme finance matters of a component of the Asia Regional Office (located in Colombo). In 2007, promoted to Finance Manager to oversee accounting operations.

• Responsibility for preparing financial statements and maintaining accounting functions, budgeting and payroll administration.
• Financial management support for programs and projects of Sri Lanka and certain regional units.
• Planning, budgeting and managing projects during high growth phase (post Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004).
• Liaising with project teams as well as financial institutions and auditors, strategic advice to management team on financial matters.
• Grant and project reporting to local & international donors.
• Cash management and treasury function including first signatory for all disbursements.
• Providing strategic financial advice and guidance to project managers and monitoring of performance in project implementation and compliance.
• Working with different donor agencies including ADB, World Bank, UNDP, DFID, BMZ, OAPN, DGCS.
• Identifying, assessing and managing risk to achieve successful program delivery.

Highlights:

• Effectively managed USD 3-5m portfolio, mainly with post-tsunami reconstruction funding sources.
• Setting up the first grant making mechanism for Asia region (first-of-its-kind in IUCN), in collaboration with a consortium of Dutch donors.
• Significant improvements made in providing financial information to project staff as well as Group/Unit Heads - streamlined and designed new reporting formats for better management decision-making.
• Served as a member of procurement committee, advising on purchase decisions.
• Experience in other Asian countries — worked in Bangkok & Vientiane (Laos) offices on specific short-term assignments.
• Helped develop skills of staff to achieve desired results through capacity building, teamwork and HR practices.
• Acting role for Finance Director of IUCN Sri Lanka, for a period of two months.

Triumph International Lanka was a subsidiary of the multinational company which markets intimate apparel under 'Triumph' brand name worldwide. The setup in Sri Lanka was a Sales and Marketing office, with smaller outsourced manufacturing operation. I started an Accounts Executive (Accounting Officer) and later became the Assistant Accountant.

• General accounting, including data quality control of accounting information.
• Prepare reports and analyses for stakeholders, suppliers, resellers and international offices.
• Cash management and negotiating with financial institutions and fiscal/tax authorities.
• Design and implement improvements in information systems and processes to meet business needs.
• Support the sales team, monitor accounts receivable and trade balances and alert management when required.

I served as an 'article clerk' at EY Sri Lanka office (known as Ernst & Young at the time).

• Performing internal and external audits, management reviews and special assignments.
• Collecting data and preparing feasibility reports, conducting due diligence audits,
• Setting up computerized accounting systems for small-scale businesses and two high-tech manufacturing companies.

Highlights:
Part of a two-man team to setup a Financial Accounting system for a client who was running a high tech manufacturing plant (memory chips).