Cover Story
Taking CPABC to the Next Level
New chair Dave Hallinan, FCPA, FCMA, plans to keep building on a solid foundation
By Michelle McRae
T
here has been a whirlwind of activity in the accounting profession over the past three years, and while things have started
to settle down post-proclamation, there’s still work to be done
to continue building the profession here in BC and across Canada. It’s
with that awareness in mind that Dave Hallinan, FCPA, FCMA,
CPABC’s second chair effective July 13, 2016, is looking to lead
CPABC through its next steps.
“This year will see us focus on maintaining the direction that has
already been established,” says Dave. “CPABC is in a good position
coming out of the merger. Our leaders are very well respected across
Canada—asked to lead not only provincial initiatives but national
ones as well. And with the board moving into its second year, I have
the luxury of stability as our directors continue to do the great work
they do.”
Specific challenges for the coming year include finding a new president and CEO to lead the organization, as Richard Rees, FCPA, FCA,
will be retiring at the end of 2016.
“Richard has been a strong leader through the merger and will be
difficult to replace,” Dave says. “Then, once we’ve found his successor,
we’ll need to support CPABC through the transition, which will have
an impact on the organization and on the profession, both provincially and nationally. We will also need to prepare for the first election
of new board members, which will happen at the end of my term in
2017.”
A broader goal for the current board will be to continue increasing
awareness of the CPA brand in the marketplace.
“Now that we’ve entered the market, we’re going to face increased
competition for the students we’d like to see entering our profession,”
he says. “Increasing the public’s understanding of the CPA brand and
how it differs from the legacy environment is key. I think it’s going to
be an interesting challenge, both in the short term and in the long
run, as we look to grow the profession while balancing the needs of
the province and the employers.”
The board will also be monitoring the success of the education program.
“I’m proud that we were able to graduate some new CPAs, who can
now enter the marketplace and show what the education program
and the profession are moving towards,” Dave says. “But we are still
very much in the infancy of the new program, so it’s vital that we keep
an eye on the progress and results of our candidates and students.”
Another matter of importance for Dave is member engagement, and
he’s eager to see this engagement increase at the chapter level.
“An increased level of member involvement will help to strengthen
the profession and our organization,” he says.
Robert Clark of RDC photography
22 CPABC in Focus • Sept/Oct 2016