The best soccer players see more than the ball at their feet. They scan the field, anticipate what’s coming, work in concert and make choices that keep the team moving forward. Soccer is all about vision. So is Lisa Abbate’s career.
As chief financial officer of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the major league soccer team, she too brings big picture awareness, a collaborative spirit and prudent decision making to her role. Those are skills sharpened through her training as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).
Ms. Abbate was studying business at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. when a friend told her she wasn’t cut out for the CPA program. “That really stuck with me. I’ve always liked the challenge, so I decided to go for it.”
That decision shaped her career, and has led her to one of the most senior financial roles in professional sports – one that few women hold in the industry.
The CPA designation is a nationally standardized and globally recognized qualification. It combines graduate-level education, practical experience and a rigorous final examination to build skills that go beyond accounting.
The designation is comparable to an MBA in preparing professionals for leadership roles across business, government and not-for-profit sectors. CPAs are trained to analyze complex financial information, assess risk, help organizations navigate regulations and governance, and maintain ethical standards. They also possess strong analytical and critical thinking skills, enabling them to interpret trends, optimize processes and drive efficiency, in areas from the supply chain to project management.
“CPAs are strategic partners,” says Ms. Abbate. “We’re helping drive decisions around revenue, data and risk.”
She joined the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2022 as director of finance, became VP of finance in 2023, and CFO a year later. Ms. Abbate loves the fast pace and unique setting of professional sports, but says entering this world required a quick uptake.
“I didn’t grow up in sports, so stepping into this space meant learning a lot about the game, the culture and the business. It stretched me in ways I didn’t expect.”
Her designation also acted as a kind of armour in the beginning, when walking into rooms where she was the only woman or the only person that looked like her. “Early in my career, it was intimidating. But I realized confidence doesn’t come from trying to blend in. It comes from knowing what you bring to the table.”
She says the business side of sports is dynamic. “I get to be part of something that's bigger than just finance. It’s about impact, culture and community.”
The variety of the role appeals to Ms. Abbate, one of 40,000 CPAs registered as a member of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia. They work across industries, in finance, public administration and professional services.
These positions are in high demand. In an online survey of nearly 200 HR managers by recruiting firm Robert Half, 40 per cent reported difficulty filling internal accounting roles. More than a third said staffing gaps were creating backlogs.
“Understanding financials in the context of broader business goals is critical,” says Ms. Abbate. “But what sets CPAs apart now is adaptability, digital fluency and communication.”
Recalling her professional journey, she says “Earning the designation was a big win, especially after being underestimated. More than anything, I did it for my family. As a first-generation Canadian, I know I wouldn’t have had this opportunity without the sacrifices my parents and grandmother made. Their journey paved the way for mine, and I carry that with me in everything I do.”
Today, she’s also thinking about the next generation when it comes to the advancement of women, especially in male-dominated industries.
“It’s not just about hiring women; it’s about creating meaningful opportunities. That means access to strategic projects, leadership development and decision-making spaces.”
Her advice to newer and future CPAs, particularly women considering leadership paths, is to remain confident about their training and to self-advocate.
“Trust that you belong,” she says. “You don’t need to have all the answers right away, but you do need to believe in your ability to grow.”
What will your success story sound like? Find out more about becoming a CPA.
Photo courtesy of BBZ Productions.
Originally published by The Globe and Mail.
