CPABC in Focus September/October 2013 | Page 6

NOTES & NEWS CPABC Board Retreat On July 4 and 5, 2013, council and board members from BC’s three legacy bodies—CA, CGA, and CMA—attended an historic, first-ever leadership retreat for the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC (CPABC). We also had several guests from CPA Canada in attendance, including CEO Kevin Dancey, FCA, and board co-chair, Shelley Brown, FCA. While we are still awaiting legislation to formally establish this organization, an operational merger has begun, and we expect a three-way joint venture agreement to be signed in October 2013. To that end, a considerable amount of work is underway. At the retreat, members of the legacy council/boards were fully apprised of the progress made to date regarding priority transition items, such as branding, recruiting, use of the CPA designation, CPA precertification and transition, and members’ services. Council and board members also reflected on the national and provincial relationships that have been established to unify the Canadian accounting profession, and discussed how BC can continue to provide meaningful input to high-priority areas—such as harmonized regulation and the development and delivery of education—as the national profession evolves. The retreat was an overwhelming success, with participants openly enthusiastic about the flow of ideas and spirit of collaboration created and maintained over the two-day period. This event highlighted the commitment and passion of volunteers as work continues to establish a new professional accounting body in British Columbia—one that is exceptional and embraces best practices; continues to celebrate the traditions CAs, CGAs, and CMAs hold dear, while also creating new ones; and maintains the rigorous standards that are the hallmark of all three legacy bodies as we strive to protect the public interest. 6 CPABC in Focus • Sept/Oct 2013