Why Become a CPA?

This year, CPABC honoured Olin Anton, FCPA, FCA with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his dedication, commitment, and outstanding contribution to the CPA profession and community. 

May is Asian Heritage Month. To commemorate it, we spoke with three CPAs of Asian descent to hear how their heritage has influenced them as Canadians and professional accountants. 

For Adam Karim, CPA, getting his accounting designation was an important stepping stone to his ultimate goal.

“If you look back at those tough moments in your life, you realize they were often the key turning points to going higher,” says Victor Giacomin, FCPA, FCA, senior vice-president of finance and group treasurer at Mark Anthony Group.

Donating your time and expertise to a not-for-profit organization can have big benefits for both of you.

Livleen Veslemes wasn’t necessarily looking for her next career opportunity. In fact, the award-winning Vancouver businesswoman had purposely stepped away from her previous, extraordinarily successful position – as CEO of biomedical company bioLytical – in 2020 to prioritize her health and family life.

Saying hi to a stranger or making giving back a business priority – there are countless ways we can make a positive difference. Our actions, big or small, can have a substantial impact.

When one thinks of accounting, there are often generalizations that come along with the career path.But accountants actually work in all kinds of roles — operating as a businesses’ most intrinsic function.

Jimmy Vaiopoulos’ first passion was engineering, a passion that led to him obtaining his CPA designation and pursuing a career working with leading-edge technology and companies. 

A conversation with Neelam Sahota, FCPA, FCGA, CEO of DIVERSEcity, a local registered charity that assists newcomers and diverse communities with settlement, language, and employment services.

Nelson Soh has always been good with numbers and interested in business. So after graduating from UBC with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, he attained his CPA designation while working for KPMG. Inspired to pursue his passion for helping people improve personally, professionally, and financially, he co-founded FSQ Consulting. 

It takes a lot to successfully compete in the plant-based foods market – the right products, the right vision and the right people.

When Jamie Kirwin, CPA, CA, was invited to try the “hard” kombucha that Valli Manickam, a friend of a friend, had been fermenting in her kitchen, she didn’t yet realize that she was experiencing an introductory taste of her future.

The ideal career is one that’s malleable and allows you to carve your own path as you continue to learn, grow, and evolve. 

When you graduate from university, it can be difficult to know what career path you want to take for the rest of your life. The thought alone can feel both overwhelming and intimidating.

Julien Francois has always been adaptable to change – an attribute that has proven to be particularly beneficial to his role in helping his company, STN Video, navigate through COVID-19. 

Meet the BC writers who excelled on the September 2021 CFE

Joanne YH Liu, CPA, CGA, PFP, will be presenting "Managing Your Finances in Retirement" on November 10.

Meet the two BC writers who made the May 2021 CFE National Honour Roll

She doesn’t consider herself a natural risk-taker, but Karen Horcher is definitely cool under pressure.

“I think that if I'm not scared, then I'm not growing. And if I'm not growing, then I'm not really living fully,” says Livleen Veslemes, CPA, CMA. When it comes to scaring herself, Livleen has plenty of experience, as her passion for growth has helped catapult numerous organizations to major success.  

Understanding your customer’s desires and preferences is key to reaching new clients and strengthening existing relationships. But in our highly-digitalized world, unlocking value from seemingly endless big data is challenging. Alida, previously known as Vision Critical, is a Canadian company that helps brands worldwide tap into actionable customer insight. 

It was while working reception at Madison Pacific Properties Inc., a real estate management and development company in Vancouver, that Rhian Quarry realized she wanted to become a CPA. She had just completed her bachelor’s degree in health sciences and was looking for a new direction when inspiration struck.

Jody Kidd has never been one to be held down by limitations. As a young adult, she knew she wanted a career that would not restrict her to any one particular industry. 

If there is one central theme that could be highlighted for the year of 2020, it would undoubtedly be the fragility of health, and the need to preserve it at all costs. 

More than ever, people need to make healthy choices in their lives, and Davis Yung, CPA, CMA, is proud to be part of that process. 

How KPMG GVA is supporting wellness and destigmatizing illness

Approximately one in every five Canadians experience mental health issues. In a workplace of 100, that’s 20 staff who may be experiencing mental health problems. 

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, many are experiencing unprecedented stresses and feelings of anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, 40% of Canadians say their mental health has deteriorated since the onset of the pandemic.

Stuart Mah, CPA, CMA, and his 10-year-old certified therapy dog Nugget provide much-needed companionship to the long-term care residents at Mount St. Joseph Hospital. 

If there was one activity that feels most altered by the pandemic it would have to be dining out. 

Canadians recently reached a dubious high point – collectively, we have amassed $100 billion in credit card debt.

Geoffrey Dodds, CPA, CA, embraces his role as chair of the CPABC board even as COVID-19 continues to disrupt norms.

Long wait-times in a crowded space is often the scenario for those visiting their doctors. But with COVID-19, this scenario has changed for many patients seeking care from their doctors. 

As much as parents plan financially for their children’s future and offer tips on how to manage money, the time will come when young people will need to take ownership of their finances. 

“I wish I’d known how to start saving for retirement when I was young… I would’ve liked to have known how to draw up and keep to a budget... I would have benefited from an explanation of how to use credit cards properly…”  

Nick Bozikis, CPA, CA, has always been very curious. And his curiosity has helped him adapt to new environments and trends throughout his career.

Like many industries, BC’s wine industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. As an industry that relies heavily on tourism activity, retail sales, and temporary foreign workers, wineries across BC had to find innovative ways to stay operational when the province effectively shut down from March through May of this year. 

As the global economy reopens in the wake of unprecedented business closures due to COVID-19, “new normals” are developing in all aspects of our daily routines. Traction Guest, a Burnaby-based visitor management system (VMS) company, has been at the forefront of facilitating the safe and efficient return to workplaces.

Since March, Vancouverites have been showing their appreciation for healthcare and other frontline workers by participating in the 7pm Cheer. In this spirit, Steamworks Group of Companies has found its own unique ways to support COVID-19 relief efforts. Mike Patterson, CPA, CA, and director of finance at Steamworks spoke with CPABC to discuss these initiatives, and the steps Steamworks has taken to navigate through the crisis.

When Sarb Mund, CPA, CMA, first opened Commissary Connect, a network of shared commercial kitchen spaces in Vancouver for local food and beverage entrepreneurs, he was always thinking one step ahead.

With a passion for teaching and extensive international experience in financial reporting and internal audit, Bryan Parker brings a unique and relevant energy to the classroom.

Periods. They’re a natural event that billions of people around the world experience. Relationships with periods differ from person to person: some love-hate, others embrace. But it’s still something that’s not talked about enough.

Having been born and raised in British Columbia, it’s no surprise that James Reyes has a love for the great outdoors. Among the wealth of activities one has the benefit of enjoying in this province, James set his sights on fly fishing; a decade-long passion of his that led him to a new career.

The impact of John McLaughlin’s career can be seen throughout Metro Vancouver. For over thirty years, he has played a major role in facilitating Vancouver’s commercial and residential property growth, as well as showcasing Vancouver’s vibrancy to the world.