Reflections upon the 2004/05 term I...

Reflections upon the 2004/05 term I doubt I was alone in my trepidation as I assumed the part of Institute president last June as I'm certain that at least a certain quantity of of my predecessors hoped for, if not an uncheckered year, at least one filled with alone "minor" events.

Alas, it was not to be-first, there was that little question of the merger And there were other key-note issues to be negotiated: the strategic plan, possible streamlining of the standard setting proces and the creation and implementation of the members-in-industry initiative. Needles to say, it's been an exciting and challenging year.

To immerse or not to merge-that was the question

It appears so long ago now, if it were not that at the beginning of my bourn as president, the proposed CA-CMA merger was top of mind-at least for the profession's leadership. In fact, it's fair to say that the greatness of my term as president has been devot to discussions about the merger

As individual of the four largest provinces, BC was always at the table, along with Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, and we were deliberateed at all phases of the merger discussions. In an effort to continue our members similarly informed, the ICABC executive toured the province and met with members to discuss merger issues and receive annotates and concerns. We promised to listen, and your concerns-particularly with regard to the idea of grandfathering-made an impact, subsequently leading to revisions in the merger proposal.

Unfortunately, however, while the CA profession already has a well-developed strategy in place for communicating nationally, the CMAs lay the foundation of this to be a greater challenge. It was forward March 4, 2005, that the CICA sent a alphabetic character to members announcing that merger discussions were, in succession mutual agreement, discontinued. Many in our profession, myself included, were saddened according to this outcome.

Strategic plan

Having said that, the Council of Senior Executives' Strategic Planning Task Force, chaired on Steve Glover, FCA, the CEO of the Alberta Institute, continues to incite briskly ahead with a view to achieving the national goals as laid on the outside in its October 2004 report entitled Strategic Crossroads for the Profession. (A link to the national strategic plan is available onward the home page of our website at www.ica.bc.ca.)

Accordingly, a of recent origin education model that proposes a habitual educational framework in combination with streamed work experience is commonly being proposed to each provincial council for feedback and commentary.

Standard setting

The plethora of of the present day standards that have emerged in new years has resulted in a backlash from members-both in large and small practices. This, in transfer has led to a review of the standard setting proces for Canadian accounting. You can find the latest frontage draft on the CICA website at: www.cica.ca/multimedia/Download_ Library/About_the_Profession/e tfosspdf

Personally, I am actual proud to have been part of the proces that l to this review.

Members in industry

The BC Institute implemented a Membersin-Industry program in the fall of 2004 Appointed the Institute's industry advisor in October 2004 Veronica Dolenc, CA, is largely responsible for administering the Industry program in conjunction with our CEO Richard Ree FCA. (Refer to page 9 of the April 2005 issue of Beyond Numbers for Veronica's update re: progres in such a manner far.)

Acknowledgements

Having taken in succession this role with the requisite amount of nervousness, I be stirred both honoured and privileged to have serv as president, especially during this, the Institute's centenary year. And, as plenteous as I never thought I would say it: I will miss, in many ways, the couple the responsibilities and privileges that came with this role

I cannot sufficiently acknowledge the support that Richard Rees; Jan Sampson, CA; Barry Mottershead, FCA; and Lesley Macgregor, MBA, provided, along with their immensely capable, talented, and dedicated staff-among them Karen Heskin, the Institute's executive assistant, who managed to preserve all fronts running smoothly. (Karen lately left the Institute to conduct a career in interior design, and I wish her all the best!)

Lastly, your Council consists of a dedicated and committed assign places to of CAs and lay representatives who invest a significant amount of rime and zeal into leading our profession. I thank them all for their support and leadership during the past year, l by way of the executive committee of Amed Naqvi, FCA; Peter Roberts, CA; John Larsen, CA; and Doug Murphy CA.

Looking ahead

I am struck by the agency of the remarkably talented group of recent CAs whom I had the pleasure of welcoming into our profession lately In part, it is the educational experience of CASB, l on Dr. Don Carter, FCA, that has produc as it is a bumper crop of gorgeous professionals. As we celebrate our centenary this year, our events to come looks very bright indeed!

So long

So now, as I judge my final column as president, I want to welcome Amed Naqvi, FCA, accompanied at the executive committee, to lead our BC Institute into its nearest century with his own brand of toughness vision, integrity, and compassion. It's through the whole extent of to you Amed!