Member Recognition Award Recipients - 2015

I am truly fortunate to have benefited so greatly from the enormous opportunities in Canada, the diverse fabric of our country, and the generosity of others. Having said that, there is still inequality and people being discounted in our country every day. I have experienced that first hand, and believe the only way to remove these inequalities is to get out there and do something about it.

I used to think that volunteering did not make a big impact to my community. However, when you combine your efforts with others who are willing to work hard to get the job done, great things can be accomplished. Getting involved gives me satisfaction that I am contributing to a better community, and it made me realize there is a lot of volunteer roles out there that need skilled community members. It really does feel good when your hard work makes a difference.

With two young kids, it’s important to me that I set an example for them. By volunteering in organizations that they are involved in, I am able to set that example, while hopefully enhancing their experience in that particular activity. Professionally, it allows me to give back to the business community by offering advice and counsel to those that may not be able to always afford it, while also helping me to diversify my experience.

I find the experience of serving others to be most rewarding and love being able to participate in any charitable event that I get the opportunity.

I appreciate the high standards of ethical practice that my partners instilled in me as a junior accountant and want to share that knowledge and experience with others. Also, I want to change the stereotype that accountants are boring! I have yet to meet a boring accountant.

Through my designation I have been able to advance in my career, but it has also allowed me to be a part of various boards in other areas that interest me and in other volunteer capacities, including mentorship with SFU business students. I look forward to going to work each day and I look forward to seeing what new opportunities and challenges arise as the world of CPA and accounting moves forward.

My designation has opened so many doors and opportunities. Starting my firm as a one-person show, working out a room in my home, and building it one client at a time into my own retail location with several employees is, to me, a great achievement. Receiving this Early Achievement Award from CPABC – I feel like I have reached the summit, but know there is still more I wish to do, more on the horizon for me to aspire to achieve.

Henry has worked to elevate the visibility of the profession. He has served as treasurer of CPABC’s North Shore/Sunshine Coast Chapter since June 2014 and as vice-chair since July 2015. He is also a member of the CPABC mentoring program.

At work, I feel that we have achieved success when we’ve made a difference for the people of BC – the secret is motivating everyone in the Office of the Auditor General to feel enthusiastic about what we do.

Start slowly but find something that engages you with your volunteer organization. Find a position that you will enjoy and if possible, try and do something different than what you do every day. I have found many organizations require leadership and often these skills are transferable to your career and work life choices.

My grandfather, my dad’s dad, served in World War 2 and I was very close to him while he was alive. From a young age he instilled in me and my sister that service to the community and country was honourable and important. He always encouraged us to get involved and have our say, and try to make things better. The people of our generation owe a debt to his generation that we cannot repay. We can honour that debt, though, by contributing what we can to the community.

What I enjoy most is being able to make a difference – I was able to contribute in a way that meant something was different because of my contribution. Very early in my career I was on the board of a large credit union in Alberta. As the youngest by many years, and the only one with an accounting designation on the board, I brought a very different perspective to the boardroom. It was rewarding for me, and I believe beneficial for the organization. I also get great personal satisfaction from being able to make a difference on an individual basis.

I’ve met so many wonderful, diverse, and fantastic people, and I’ve learned so much from everyone I’ve met, how could I not want to keep doing it?

My best and most rewarding volunteer experience to date, has been my work with the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. As with all volunteer experiences the rewarding elements come not only in the work achieved, in this case for the hospital and the community at large, but also, through working with the outstanding people such as the foundation’s team of directors, staff, and volunteers.

Success is a very individual thing. To me, success means doing my best and seeing others benefit from my efforts. To achieve success, you need to focus on others – if you do a good job, then your own success will automatically follow.

Success is knowing you have made a difference and added value to your community, profession, and to the workplace – to provide leadership in finding common ground. The most fulfilling experience is seeing those around you who you have mentored mature and succeed in their own right to become successful leaders.

I was on the Yukon Institute throughout the unification process, including getting the approval of the other bodies and our members. Everything I have professionally, I owe to being a CPA, and it is great to be able to give back.

There are many organizations that need help. Find an organization that you are passionate about or have a sincere interest in and volunteer there. As a CPA you have skills that can help organizations succeed. Don’t be afraid to use those skills to provide insight and direction.

I think the CPA designation and its legacy designations provide a solid foundation on which we can build. The CPA training brings you to a door of opportunity and it is up to you to go through it.

Success is a feeling of knowing I’ve put my all into a goal or objective, and then hitting it out of the park. I have a massive bias towards action versus talk; I like to lead and walk the walk by just doing. And the inertia/momentum is your best friend in life, especially in business or other endeavors.

I give back to my community and profession because it feels good. It is rewarding to see others excel based on any help I can provide directly or indirectly through the Chapter events that I participate in.

Prior to serving on the chapter board, I was a mentor providing advice to immigrants with accounting backgrounds in pursuing Canadian accounting designations. I have also worked with students and candidates pursuing accounting designations. Working on the chapter board enables me to be aware of the available services and help bring these services to the local chapter which would benefit both the members and students.

Over the past seven years, Jason organized numerous events, including student activities, fundraising events for local charities and student bursaries, professional development courses, and member social events for both CMABC and CPABC. As the inaugural chair of CPABC’s Victoria/Southern Vancouver Island Chapter, Jason led in the establishment of the Chapter throughout the merger process, providing leadership and coordination as the amalgamation took place.

Success depends on so many factors outside of our control. The benevolent fund gives financial assistance to CPAs who find themselves in difficult circumstances, often at a very low point in their lives. When we review their cases, it’s very humbling to realize that it could easily be any one of us if just a few things in our lives had been different. It reinforces the need to give back to our profession and our community.