To mark International Women’s Day, SRLV partner, Zul, is the second of three SRLV staff to share her experience of building a career as a woman in the accountancy industry. From joining the firm as a trainee accountant in the mid-90s to becoming one of SRLV’s first female partners in 2016 and heading up the accounts division across the entire practice, Zul’s career story is one of quiet determination, integrity and transformative influence.

You’ve been with SRLV for 30 years. Can you tell us how your journey began?

I joined SRLV in January 1996 as a trainee accountant, one of the first in the firm at that time. There were around 25 people in the business, and I worked in the accounts team for the creative sector. As the firm was small, I did everything from basic bookkeeping to tax and full accounts preparation. I had my hands in every pot, and that level of exposure helped shape the foundations of my career.

Before joining SRLV, I completed a degree in Banking and International Finance and briefly joined a merchant bank. However it wasn’t the right environment for me as a young Muslim woman. There was a strong pub culture, a need to socialise in the evenings, and very little space for someone who prayed and didn’t drink or fit the mould. It was a male environment, and although I had the right education, culturally it wasn’t a place where I could progress. By contrast, SRLV embraced who I was from day one.

You’ve grown from trainee to equity partner and now lead major areas of the firm. What does your role involve today?

Now, I am one of the partners at SRLV. I head up our practice-wide accounts division and lead our Sri Lanka office, which has grown to 65 staff members across Jaffna and Colombo.

When we first opened the Sri Lankan branch, I started with just one team member. I wanted to create opportunities for people in a war-torn region who often lack access to career development. My aim was simple: offering Sri Lankans the same chance to grow as those in the UK. Over time, we’ve built a thriving, skilled team, and I’m incredibly proud of what they have achieved, and continue to achieve.

Across both offices, I focus on maintaining SRLV’s high quality standards while protecting the family atmosphere, friendliness and softness that has always defined us. As the firm continues to grow, I see it as my responsibility to ensure we never lose that human touch.

You were one of the first Muslim women to join SRLV. How has your identity shaped your experience?

When I joined, I prayed and practised my faith, but I was not yet wearing hijab. I began covering my hair in 2000, four years after joining. I was very nervous about how the firm would react, but the day I walked into the office wearing my scarf, I was met with only smiles, interest and kindness. People wanted to learn. They wanted to understand. It was completely different from my earlier career experiences, where culture acted as a barrier. At SRLV, it’s embraced.

Over time, other women joined the firm because they saw that I could wear my scarf, pray, and fully be myself here. That mattered. I’ve helped reinforce our open-door policy, where anyone can ask questions, be inquisitive, and learn about different cultures without judgement. It helps create what I call the ‘UN of SRLV’: people speaking different languages, wearing different styles of dress, and practising different religions. It is one of the most beautiful things about our firm.

You’ve always been vocal about purpose and values. How does this influence the clients you work with?

I work with clients whose businesses align with my ethics: open‑minded, commercially strong, and committed to doing good in the community. I stick to my principles, and I believe that has helped attract clients who value integrity. It is important for me that my professional work reflects who I am as a person.

Tell us about your community and charitable work outside SRLV

I have been part of the Sri Lankan and Islamic Association for 30 years, helping to bring our community together and raise funds for those in need. I am also the treasurer of Merci Lanka, a charity founded after the Sri Lankan Boxing Day Tsunami, 22 years ago. Many people lost their spouses and had to leave their children to seek work abroad. We provide interest-free loans, vocational training and business advice to help them build sustainable livelihoods at home. The money is repaid gradually and reinvested into the charity, allowing us to support more families.

Our backgrounds shape our future

Zul’s story is a reminder that representation matters. She teaches us that being visible as a female Muslim leader can give others the confidence to be themselves at work. Women, regardless of background, faith or culture, should feel seen and supported. SRLV remains committed to ensuring that every individual has equal access to opportunities at every stage of their career.

Read Zul’s full biography here.

We are always looking for unique and talented individuals to join our team. Visit our careers page to explore our full list of current opportunities.