CGA Profiles

The Catalyst for CGA Growth

For nearly 30 years, as the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia, Bill Caulfield worked tirelessly and enthusiastically to promote the CGA designation in the province.

Born in Vancouver in 1949, Bill started his extraordinary career at CGA-BC in 1974 as the registrar and office manager. In 1976, he was promoted to Director of Student Services, a position he held until 1983, when he became the Association’s sixth Executive Director.

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Seeing the World Through Accounting Education

“Pursue an opportunity that looks interesting, run with it, and see where it leads you. Nine times out of ten you’re going to be pleasantly surprised if you keep an open mind and just go for it.”

This is how Laura Friedrich, CPA, FCGA, describes her experience in 2008 in Azerbaijan. With funding from the World Bank, Laura and her husband Brian were part of a CGA-Canada project team advising on the development of a professional accounting and research program as the basis for an internationally recognized accounting designation.

See Laura Friedrich's full story...

Force for Change and Role Model

1985 President Extended Reach of CGA to Students in Hong Kong and Macau and Worked as Original Trustee to the CGA-BC Educational Foundation.

There is little doubt that Helen Knowles, FCGA, was a dynamic force of change and progress within the CGA Association: she was the first woman to chair the Maintenance of Standards committee (later known as CPD); she was a principal contributor to the acclaimed 1983 Knowledge Network program, “How to Prepare an Income Tax Return,” the Association’s first foray into television; and in 1985 she became the second woman to be elected president.

See Helen Knowles' full story...

Vancouver-Trained National Leader Has International Ambitions for Profession

Work hard, have a good sense of humour, seek challenges and enjoy what you do. That's the core philosophy embraced by John Nagy, FCGA, and CGA-Canada's chair and CEO for 2003-04. A past president of CGA-BC, Nagy has been involved with the Association for a few years now — 22 to be exact. And he has some clear goals in mind for his year as chair and CEO.

"My first objective for the fall is a full and proper review by the Board of the strategic long-range plan so everyone understands where we want to go and agrees on the plan's goals," says Nagy in his characteristically straight-ahead style. "Secondly, I will be working closely with CGA-Canada's new [as of June] president and chief operating officer, Anthony Ariganello, CGA, to ensure a smooth transition as there is a great deal of information for Tony to assimilate quickly," he says.

Another goal Nagy has identified for the coming year is to provide a focused direction for CGA-Canada's international activities. "This will involve making sure both our goals and business plan to achieve them are clear," he says. "Our emphasis on international activities is quite important, as one of CGA-Canada's guiding principles is to act globally. And while we have an outstanding program, the market in Canada is limited, so we need to look beyond our borders," he adds.

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Renowned Educator, Farsighted Leader

Kenneth France Weaver, FCGA, was CGA-BC’s President in 1975, and one of its great leaders and long-time promoters. During his term as President, Mr. Weaver said that from the day in 1950 when a small delegation approached the head of UBC’s commerce department for help in setting up CGA-BC’s education program, the Association had grown and “developed beyond the wildest dreams of its most ardent members.” Mr. Weaver could always be counted on to be included in that company of CGAs.

See Kenneth Weaver's full story...

CGA Profiles

Bill Caulfield, CGA (Hon.)

Laura Friedrich, FCPA, FCGA

William [Bill] Johnson, FCPA, FCGA

Helen Knowles, FCGA

John Nagy, FCPA, FCGA

Kenneth Weaver, FCGA