Simon Philp, CPA, FCMA
Simon Philp has worked in commercial
banking for the past 15 years, both in British
Columbia and Washington State. Now director of commercial banking for CIBC in
Victoria, Simon leads the commercial banking
teams responsible for the bank’s clients on
Vancouver Island and in the Yukon. It’s a role
uniquely tailored to his people management
skills and his technical business expertise.
“I work in commercial banking, but as I always remind my team, we’re in the ‘ideas
business,’” he says. “My job is to work with the
best and brightest businesses to help them
succeed, which is tremendously exciting and
rewarding.”
It was during his early days working as an
associate with a boutique investment firm in
Vancouver that Simon chose to pursue his
accounting designation.
“I wanted skills to analyze investments and
better understand the links between strategy,
operations, and finance,” he explains. “And I
wanted the flexibility to work internationally.
Accounting is the global language of business, applicable to HR, operations, and sales
and marketing, as well as finance. The strength
of accounting is that it gives you the ability
to apply business skills and an understanding
of what drives performance to a wide variety
of non-traditional roles.”
David Sale, CPA, FCGA
David Sale is a professor of accounting at
Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where he
previously served as chair of the University’s
accounting discipline and as secretary-treasurer
of its Faculty Association.
His passion for education is undeniable,
but it was the harsh reality of limited career
prospects in his post-secondary field of study
that motivated him to focus on accounting.
“I decided to pursue accounting when I realized there were very few jobs for history majors,” he says. “I also had a strong background
in mathematics, so I thought accounting would
be a good fit.
“That was a bad assumption,” he adds with a
laugh, “but I think everything turned out well.”
Daily interaction with students has enabled
him to gain a unique insight into the challenges involved in educating and mentoring
the next generation of accountants.
Left to right: ICABC President Dan Little, CPA, FCA, CGA-BC Chair David Sale, CPA, FCGA, and CMABC Chair Simon Philp, CPA, FCMA. Photo by Kent Kallberg
of Kent Kallberg Studios Ltd.
“The biggest issue I face as an educator, is teaching students that accuracy and depth of
knowledge are paramount,” he says, “superseding any other aspect in the delivery of accounting
services.”
Unique perspectives; shared vision
With professional pedigrees that weave through education, industry, and public practice, these
three leaders bring unique perspectives to their current roles, and yet they share many beliefs
about and goals for CPABC.
Looking back over the past year, each is impressed by the accomplishments to date—especially
given the fact that the joint venture agreement was only signed last fall.
Dan is especially pleased with how the leadership group has come together seamlessly for
productive joint meetings during the year, and, similarly, by the collaboration and progress of
all three legacy bodies’ staff in building a single, combined organization.
“My biggest surprise has been how quickly we have been able to integrate the organizations
and get ready for the future,” he says, “particularly within a national framework