When planned carefully, making charitable contributions by gifting life insurance can further reduce the after-tax cost of giving from the base-case scenario.

What distinguishes high-performing organizations from others? Oftentimes, team members have strong awareness of what it takes to play a constructive role as a member of their high-performing team.

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. 

Longer hours. More emails. First-time projects. New tech. During the switch to remote, then hybrid work, these efforts enabled many teams to maintain or even improve  their productivity.

Targeted efforts to attract and retain today’s workers will mean little if leaders don’t also identify and root out toxic behaviour.

These are turbulent times. Leaders at every level are facing a new reality that continues to evolve. The challenge of meeting new demands and expectations is extraordinary.

Working through the pandemic has forced employees to adapt, and they’re emerging from this transformative experience with new expectations for the office. To meet these expectations, employers will need to reimagine the workplace to allow for more flexibility, autonomy, and community-building.

A look at the results of CPABC's Mental Wellness survey

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. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the mental wellbeing of many people. According to a Statistics Canada  survey on COVID-19 and mental health conducted in 2021, one-in-four Canadians aged 18 and older screened positive for symptoms of depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder (or PTSD), up from one-in-five in 2020.

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

It’s easy to walk into a bank branch or contact a discount brokerage, open an investment account, deposit money and buy investment products. People buy stocks, mutual funds, GICs and bonds every day in investment accounts, but the question is: what’s your plan?

“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.

An economic update on consumer spending, growing labour shortages, and inflationary and interest rate pressures.

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.

ESG has gone from being an area of focus for a small number of organizations to something that is very mainstream. And we have seen an incredible shift towards ESG, both in terms of society at large, and also businesses seeing ESG as fundamental to how they operate and how they engage with their stakeholders. It’s fair to say that ESG is now business-critical and that recognition is becoming more and more widespread.

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.

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.

An employee stock option plan could make up a substantial part of an employee’s total compensation package and provide them with a valuable tax deferral.

The Enron scandal led to the demise of one of the world’s largest accounting firms and triggered the most significant changes in the accounting profession in 100 years.

According to recently surveyed Canadian CEOs, 43% expect to adopt a hybrid work model. So, what are the long-term implications of this monumental shift?

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. 

CPABC’s latest report highlights strong investment recovery across BC, but challenges remain

How does gender equality – or a lack of it – show up in your world? 

Five CPA executives share their insights

CPABC is pleased to present Jennifer Cudlipp, CPA, CGA and Edward Pereira, CPA, CGA with the Distinguished Service Award.

CPABC is proud to honour Olin Anton, FCPA, FCA with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Often when I teach sessions on wiring the brain for high-impact leadership, attendees will ask, “How do I become a better leader?” But I think that’s the wrong question to ask.

With the new year comes the start of a new tax season. As you begin to think about your financial goals and your personal income tax filing for the 2020 tax year, it’s important to be aware of how RRSPs and TFSAs can benefit you. 

From income tax updates to personal productivity – and many subjects in between – here are some resources to help you stay up-to-date as you take on 2022. 

Harnessing the power of a multi-generational workforce

As 2021 came to an end, BC’s unemployment rate stood at 5.3% in December. That was a small decline from 5.6%  in November and well below the 8.0% rate at the start of 2021. 

How a radical business model is changing the goal for business

As ethical leaders and trusted advisors, CPAs rely on professional skills, values, ethics and attitudes to serve their organizations and clients.

More organizational communication is written than you may think. Decisions, tasks, and knowledge are largely reliant on writing, so being able to communicate effectively in writing remains a vital job skill—particularly now, when so many people work remotely.

Meet the BC writers who excelled on the September 2021 CFE

The provincial government added the current temporary BC PST Rebate on Select Machinery and Equipment to its roster of COVID-19 tax incentives and benefits in March 2021. Since then, the BC Ministry of Finance has continued to update its webpage on the temporary rebate as additional details have become available.

David Bowra, FCPA, FCA, didn’t have to look far to find inspiration for his debut crime novel, Banking on Murder.

The issue of inflation continues to be significant for employee benefits, as there continues to be pressure on businesses to maintain these plans.

CPAs in Canada are bound by a strict requirement of confidentiality that applies to all aspects of their professional work. In BC, the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct outlines the requirements and provides registrants with extensive guidance on this topic. In this article, we cover the major confidentiality rules in the CPA Code, describe situations that are prone to potential breaches of confidentiality, and provide some cautionary examples.

Succession planning is an important consideration for the founders and owners of family businesses, and the tax strategies available for selling shares to and purchasing shares from a third party versus a related party can vary significantly. Bill C-208 is intended to give families more flexibility to access certain tax advantages to facilitate intergenerational transfers of shares of small family businesses.

Canada’s CPA profession has always sought to collaborate on issues of national importance, and always in the public interest. One area of collective focus has been digital transformation, with an emphasis on member-facing initiatives.

CPABC's BC Check-Up: Work report looks at emerging employment trends across the province.

COVID-19 impacts have put financial pressure on many businesses and not-for-profit organizations, especially in certain sectors, resulting in reduced revenues and cash pressures. And while the government has provided substantial funding assistance since the pandemic started, this support is now in sunset mode, which means more CPAs will likely have to help their employers or clients manage through cash difficulties.

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

According to the BC Check-Up: Work, an annual report by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) on employment trends across the province, B.C.’s unemployment rate was 5.9 per cent in September 2021, down from 8.6 per cent in September 2020.

CPABC’s 2022-2023 Budget Submission recommends the province focus on tax and program reform to improve our province’s productivity. 

Whether you bake cupcakes and sell them to co-workers or go fishing after work and sell what you catch to friends, any profit you make from your passion could be considered business income, subject to income tax in Canada.

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.

Here's what CPABC members had to say about the future landscape for employers and employees.

How do you bring more value to your role? For today’s CFO, the expectation is not only to provide counsel to the CEO, but also to identify strategic opportunities for the business that will produce evolution and growth and lead to new opportunities.

A CPA designation may as well be the golden governance ticket. From small not-for-profit organizations to large corporations, it seems everyone wants a CPA on their board. And it’s understandable—in an increasingly complex world, organizations are looking for directors who bring innovation, systems thinking, and experience navigating ambiguity and disruption.

The pandemic has reshaped the way employees work. Many have been forced to work remotely, and some have chosen to relocate. But necessity has borne some interesting insights.

Negotiation skills are among the most critical skills a leader can possess. A strong negotiator can creatively leverage corporate interests, catalyze change management efforts, resolve conflict, and influence key decisions. So what does it take to be a strong negotiator in a virtual world?

BC Check-Up: Live report looks at demographic and affordability trends across the province

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.

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. 

One silver lining that has emerged over the past year is that the majority of organizations have realized the value of digital efforts—from client service to marketing to stakeholder engagement—and are putting resources into planning and implementing them.

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. 

If there’s one thing business leaders have learned over the last 12 months, it’s that they need to be prepared for the unexpected. The rapid emergence of COVID-19 and its subsequent impact on businesses across industries underscored.

How KPMG GVA is supporting wellness and destigmatizing illness

Imagine a future where audits can be done easily and quickly. All your ledgers, journal entries, donations, and other transactions are connected, sorted, and verified on the spot.

In the years leading up to 2020, Greater Victoria’s investment activity was thriving with a growing number of active businesses, strong housing starts, and robust economic growth. Unfortunately, the region’s economy took a significant dip due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why are professions regulated? Well, imagine trying to find a doctor if doctors weren’t regulated.

A common excuse many young people have as to why they haven’t begun the process of putting money into investments is that they don’t have enough to start. Somehow, we’ve become conditioned to think “it isn’t worth it” unless we have thousands and thousands of dollars to invest. 

It’s been a year since COVID-19, which caused much of the world to physical distance and transition to digital and virtual communications. 

Our minds and bodies are designed to survive. Second by second, day after day, these two systems devote an immense amount of energy and resources to helping us assess, respond to, and cope with threats and stressors.

The recent economic downturn may bring forth unexpected tax issues. As creditors become more inclined to forgive or settle debt without full or even partial repayment, more corporations may find that they are settling debt for less than the principal amount.

Seemingly overnight, remote work became the norm for many last year, with homes doubling up as office spaces and fitness hubs. While this transition was a shock for some, it came naturally to Alice Ko, CPA, CA.

The 2020 tax year will be very different for many Canadians who have to file their personal income taxes. That’s because many of the federal government’s emergency benefits in response to COVID-19 are taxable. 

VANCOUVER, February 23, 2021 — The Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) is pleased to present Leanne Cheng, CPA, CA, associate vice president and chief control officer at HSBC Bank Canada with the Distinguished Service Award for her remarkable commitment and dedication to her community.

Vancouver, February 23, 2021 — Derek Lamb and Sinéad Scanlon have been recognized with an Early Achievement Award.

VANCOUVER, February 22, 2021 — Graham McIntosh, executive director at the UBC Sauder School of Business was awarded with an Honorary CPA designation for his outstanding and innovative contributions to the advancement of accounting education in B.C. for over 25 years.

Microaggressions are brief and/or subtle actions, remarks, or visual cues in our everyday interactions that communicate negative ideas or stereotypes about a group of people.
 

The Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia is pleased to honour 14 chartered professional accountants with a fellowship designation (FCPA).

According to BC Check-Up: Invest, the number of active businesses in BC was down by 5.1 per cent in October 2020 compared to October 2019. 

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

The Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) has been recognized as one of B.C.’s Top Employers for 2021, marking the second consecutive year CPABC has received this distinction.

2020 was a tumultuous year to say the least. For most people in the workforce, this has been an uncertain time, but we’re slowly shifting towards recovery. 

For many Canadians, terms such as GICs, mutual funds, and ETFs, can be daunting. What do they even mean, and how can you invest in them?

We explain how to deduct your home office expenses, including how to claim up to $400 using the new Temporary Flat Rate Method.

For the eighth consecutive month, BC’s workforce expanded in December. However, the most recent data shows that BC’s growth rate continues to slow considerably from rates seen earlier in the recovery, and for the first time since April, Canada as a whole saw an employment loss. 

An update on anti-money-laundering initiatives

Meet the 10 candidates from BC and Yukon who made the National Honour Roll.

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.

According to the BC Check-Up: Work, an annual report by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) on employment trends across the province, Southwest B.C.’s unemployment rate hit 12.3 per cent in the Summer of 2020 (June to August). 

During an economic downturn such as the one in which we currently find ourselves, many taxpayers focus on finding cost-cutting measures, including opportunities to decrease their immediate tax burdens. What may not be top of mind, however, are opportunities to minimize future tax burdens by freezing or refreezing an estate.

Many business leaders and accounting professionals are wondering how best to recover from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and set their organizations up for success in the uncertain months and years ahead.

Report recommends measures to maintain CPA training pipeline and meet future demand

What is it that you do every week that literally makes you stupid? You get stressed! When you are stressed, you release cortisol into your brain.

With thousands of employees across the country now working remotely for the first time, many are adapting to change and establishing new daily routines. For those tasked with leading a team, this new frontier poises a host of challenges and opportunities such as: how to facilitate communication, share information, create achievable work plans, provide staff with access to technology, as well as facilitating socialization and emotional support to name a few. 

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 Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) commends the government for achieving a balanced budget while still investing in social and capital projects.

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. 

What is the number one brain myth out there and why is it dangerous? First, I have a great brain test for you to try – it was developed by psychologist John Stroop. 

When was the last time you thought about your thinking?
How much of your thinking is positive? Negative?

Export of goods and services make up 38 per cent of B.C.’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As exports are a vital part of our economy, it is crucial that we continue to focus on exploring and diversifying our export products and markets.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and leadership are two concepts so ubiquitous in workplace lexicon that they are thrown around with the assumption that: 1) we all know what they mean, and 2) we all agree on their definition.

But do we? More importantly, are we really practicing them?

Do you ever get to the bottom of a page and wonder what you just read? Or are you having trouble retaining statistics or messaging in today’s overwhelming information age?