CPABC in Focus - May/June 2015 | Page 12

Notes & News CPABC Launches CPA Ambassador Training Program CPA ambassadors play an important role in promoting the CPA brand and in representing the profession to all of our key stakeholders. To make sure these volunteers have the support and resources they need, CPABC has created the CPA Ambassador Training Program. The first training session was held on March 25 at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel in Surrey, in conjunction with a CPA Connect networking dinner that enabled post-secondary students from some of the Lower Mainland’s colleges and universities to meet with CPAs. Leading the ambassador training session were CPABC staff members Edward Downing, VP of communications; Jas Randhawa, CPA, CGA, manager of recruitment & employment; and Jerrick Barroso, coordinator of the CPA Connect employer program. Members representing the three legacy accounting bodies were in attendance, ready and eager to start serving as representatives of CPABC. The hour-long training session gave ambassadors the latest information about CPABC’s key messages, value proposition, and education programs, and provided networking tips they could immediately put to use. With the training session fresh in their minds, the newly minted CPA ambassadors met with over 100 business and accounting students at the CPA Connect networking dinner. Students and faculty members from Capilano University, Douglas College, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langara College, Trinity Western University, and the University of the Fraser Valley met with CPA members who represented an array of companies and industries. Lauren Pahlad, CPA, CGA, participated in the ambassador training session and had this to say about her experience: “The training session was fun, informative, and interactive. The etiquette tips were helpful, as it’s important that we make a great first impression, every time. I’m excited to represent the brand, and I hope that as a CPA ambassador, I can share my experiences and inspire others to think PRO! Thank you for the opportunity.” For more photos from this event, visit