Knowledge Base

The Knowledge Base offers a comprehensive collection of articles, guidance, resources, tools, and webinars.

The Latest News

The Latest News highlights the most recent additions to the Knowledge Base. Current topics, such as exposure drafts or webinars, might occasionally be featured here for a limited period of time. Are you looking for a document that was previously listed under The Latest News? Use the Search function below to look for it in the Knowledge Base.

June 27, 2025

The employment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can impact compliance with the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct (Code) both directly and indirectly. Members in public practice and industry, students, and candidates are encouraged to review the Code when contemplating utilizing AI tools to ensure they understand how such AI usage may impact their compliance with the Code. Link to A review of the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct and how it may relate to AI tool employment.

July 4, 2025

The purpose of the Practice Review Program is to protect the public through assessing a firm’s compliance with professional standards and by taking appropriate follow-up or remedial action in cases of non-compliance. See key practice review observations from the 2023-24 inspection year and upcoming areas of focus. Link to Practice Review 2024-25 Findings and Areas of Focus.

04/08/2025

There may come a time when a client relationship ends. In such instances, CPA practitioners are reminded that they need to ensure they discharge their professional duties in line with the provisions of the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct (“ the Code”). Link to Professional Obligations When a Client Relationship Ends

08/22/2024

A firm performing “related services engagements” is required to comply with CSQM 1 and CSQM 2. The “related services engagements” includes conducting compilation engagements pursuant to CSRS 4200. Link to Completed Engagement Monitoring per CSQM for Sole Practitioners.

6/27/2024

CPAs are seen as trusted advisors and are well-known for their expertise in many areas. It is therefore not uncommon for CPAS to be provided with an opportunity to give back to their communities through volunteering.

Key Considerations for CPAs Considering Volunteer Positions

published: 10/13/2023

CPAs may find themselves being asked to prepare tax returns for family, friends and close associates. It is important for CPAs to note that friends and close associates can be considered members of the public. Link to Key Considerations for CPAs Asked to Prepare Tax Returns.

published 08/08/2023

Practitioners must ensure they obtain management acknowledgement of the final compiled financial information as it relates to Canadian Standard on Related Services (CSRS) 4200 Compilation Engagements, and include this acknowledgement in their documentation. Link to Obtaining Managements’ Acknowledgement When Completing a CSRS 4200 Compilation Engagement.

published 08/08/2023

Practitioners love helping their clients, and their clients love asking for help. Where these requests are outside of the service provision that has been agreed upon, or when the request comes directly from a third party, a practitioner should think twice about fulfilling the requests. Even where the additional request is generated internally, a practitioner should proceed with caution. Link to Being helpful can cost you!

published 01/09/2023

Over the last several months, inspections of compilation engagements across Canada have highlighted some deficiencies in the application of the new Canadian Standard on Related Services (CSRS) 4200, Compilation Engagements. Link to Important Notice Regarding Compilation Engagements.

published 01/03/2023

The new quality management standards are, in short, good. They encourage all firms to consider their specifics, their clients, and their engagements when designing and implementing quality control procedures. This flexibility allows smaller firms to scale back their processes and procedures to address only those areas that are applicable. Link to Quality management – Implementation advice for smaller firms.

published 04/27/2022

CPA Canada has prepared an implementation tool for practitioners to assist with the implementation of the Canadian Standard on Quality Management (CSQM) 1. Link to CSQM 1 Implementation Tool.

Member Advisory Services

The CPABC Member Advisory Services team provides professional guidance on ethics, technical matters, and practice management to CPAs. They answer member questions, assist the public with inquiries about the profession, and support various forums and events.

Richard Konings, CPA, CA
Director, Member Advisory Services
ProfessionalAdvisory@bccpa.ca
604-488-2609

Linda Odhiambo, CPA, CA (SA)
Associate Director, Member Advisory Services
ProfessionalAdvisory@bccpa.ca
(604) 629-8363

Prior contacting Member Advisory Services, please note the following:

  • Any information given in response to your inquiry is general in nature;
  • Our discussion is intended to be informative and not official. It is offered in the hope that it may be helpful. Nothing that is said should be relied upon as definitive advice about what you can, cannot, should or should not do; and
  • If you want advice on which to rely, you should consult your legal counsel or other professional.

For CPA Members and Students:

  • Any information given should not be relied upon as a substitute for your own due diligence or your own professional judgment and therefore you agree to release and indemnify CPABC, its officers, directors, employees, for any claim for damages that could result based on our discussion;
  • Our discussion is confidential (except for the “public duty” exception in Section 69 of the CPA Act or which may be required to be disclosed by order of lawful authority in Rule 208.1), not binding, and not an opinion; and
  • Any action or decision you take is yours alone; CPABC cannot assume responsibility for it, and the discussion will not relieve you from responsibility for it.

All enquiries will be answered in the order they are received. Member Advisory Services team members aim to respond within 2 to 3 business days; however, during periods of heavy volume the response time might be increased. If you require a response before a certain date, please indicate this to us and we will try to accommodate for this.