Sponsorships & Events
Events for Members Working in the Public Sector
NOTES & NEWS
Sponsorships & Events
September and October featured a variety of events promoting the CPA profession , including The ONE National Conference , which brought CPAs together from across Canada . Co-hosted by CPA Canada and CPABC at the Vancouver Convention Centre ( September 19-21 ), the Conference provided an outstanding opportunity for CPAs to further their professional development , learn from industry experts , and make new contacts ( see pages 42-43 ). In Kelowna , CPABC was a gold sponsor of the Government Finance Officers Association of Western Canada Conference ( September 21-23 ), which gave local and provincial government finance officers a chance to meet for professional development and networking . In Vancouver , CPABC was the presenting sponsor of the third annual WE FOR SHE Conference ( October 14 ), an event that aims to increase the economic impact of women in BC ( see page 12 ). CPABC was also an initiative sponsor of the 2016 BC Business Summit ( November 1 ), which featured keynote speakers Stephen Poloz , governor of the Bank of Canada ; Kevin Lynch , PC , vice-chair of BMO Financial Group ; and Dr . Santa Ono , president and vice-chancellor of the University of British Columbia ( a recap will appear in our Jan / Feb 2017 issue ). CPABC ’ s recruitment team has also been busy over the past two-and-a-half months , attending and hosting events throughout the province . These included Fraser Valley Firms Night on August 30 , which gave local-area students a chance to network with public accounting firms hiring for entry-level positions . On September 6 , the team attended the Business Council of BC ’ s Aboriginal Economic Development and Prosperity Forum , at which First Nations leaders and BC Business Council members discussed economic issues , partnerships , and business ventures . To help students and firms connect , CPABC hosted Fall Recruit on September 7 and 9 , its annual two-day recruiting event for mid-size and national public practice firms and CPABC-approved training offices ( see pages 8-9 ). CPABC ’ s recruitment team also attended and sponsored the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of BC ’ s 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner ( September 15 ). The recruitment team also promoted the CPA program at post-secondary career fairs and information sessions held at BCIT , Langara College , Okanagan College , SFU , Thompson Rivers University , UBC Okanagan , UBC , UNBC , and UVic . Information sessions were held in Kelowna , Prince George , Vancouver , and Victoria . Upcoming fall and winter events to watch for include Fall Convocation ( November 26 ), which will celebrate the hard-won achievements of CPA graduates , and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade ’ s 28th annual Economic Outlook Forum ( January 20 , 2017 ), of which CPABC is a proud supporting sponsor . For more information on CPABC ’ s sponsorships and events , visit the News , Events & Publications section of bccpa . ca .
Events for Members Working in the Public Sector
CPABC members working in the public sector had the opportunity to attend two targeted events this past September : The Western Canada Government Finance Officers Association Conference and a meeting of the CPABC ' s Government Organizations ’ Accounting & Auditing Forum .
Stuart Newton , CPA , CA , BC ' s comptroller general , presents to CPABC ' s GOAA Forum .
Western Canada Government Finance Officers Association Conference The Western Canada Government Finance Officers Association ( GFOA ) held its annual conference in Kelowna on September 21-23 , 2016 . The three-day event , which was jointly sponsored by CPA Canada and CPABC , attracted more than 250 attendees , many of whom were CPAs . Two CPABC members were among the presenters : Bill Cox , FCPA , FCA , a partner at BDO LLP , and Esther Lee , CPA , CA , director of financial services for the City of Vancouver . Cox gave a thought-provoking presentation on property taxes ( asking : “ Are they too low ?”). Lee participated in a panel discussion that explored how finance officers can help local councils better transition through economic change . In addition , Michael Puskaric , CPA , CMA , a director with the Public SectorAccounting Board ( PSAB ), delivered several sessions on new PSAB standards and emerging projects . Next year ’ s GFOA conference will be held in Regina , Saskatchewan .
Government Organizations ’ Accounting & Auditing ( GOAA ) Forum meeting The GOAA Forum meets twice a year to discuss key issues faced by public sector organizations . Its most recent meeting , held on September 28 in Victoria , featured three guest speakers : Carol Bellringer , FCPA , FCA , BC ’ s auditor general ; Stuart Newton , CPA , CA , BC ’ s comptroller general ; and Lenora Lee , CPA , CA , a partner with KPMG in Victoria . Bellringer and Newton provided updates on the work of their respective offices , and Lee provided an update on the Public Sector Accounting Board ’ s recent activities and pronouncements .
6 CPABC in Focus • Nov / Dec 2016