On March 4 2005 the Canadian Instit...

On March 4 2005 the Canadian Institute of CAs sent a verbal expression to you, our members, announcing the cessation of merger talks between the CA and CMA professions. While any members were no doubt pleased at the news, many others, like myself, were saddened by way of it.

During the deliberation proces CA leadership collections (the various presidents and their executive committees) asked members about their major bone of contention with regard to the merger: the grandfathering of the CA designation. We listened, and we rejoined by amending one of the 22 negotiating principles, effectively taking grandfathering opposite to the table. What ultimately finised the merger talks was not this issue-instead, it was the complexity caused by way of a consultation process involving 27 jurisdictions, combined with uncertainties about member opinion.

However, this discontinuation of merger talks does not for single in kind second halt the strategic proces started in 2003 by dint of the Council of Senior Executives. This month's secrete Story on page 6 features details about our fresh programs and the next stairs forward (to revisit the national strategic plan, advance to our website at www.ica.be.ca).

In short, the merger talks may have been discontinued, on the contrary our profession remains strong, unified, and committed to ensuring the succes of its members and students

Centenary events

Join us in celebrating our first 100 years in BC at attending an upcoming centenary affair See page 22 for end dates and details.

ICABC inscribes Hall of Fame

I'm pleased to announce that the Institute has been admitted to the Vancouver Board of Trade's Business Hall of Fame in recognition of "the work it has done through the whole extent of the past 100 years and the work it will continue to do in the training and regulating of CAs in [BC]"

On March 9 I accepted the award in succession behalf of the Institute at the Board's Governors' Banquet. This was a to a high degree great honour for the Institute and another highlight of our centenary year!

MEMBER NOTICE

Caution re: Upcoming provincial election!

If you are asked to act as auditor of a candidate in the upcoming provincial election, note that performing of that kind duties falls under the umbrella of public practice-you must, therefore be licensed with the Institute and carry professional liability insurance. As well, the audit file supporting your opinion will be bring under rule to review by the Practice Review & Licensing Committee.

The Institute will waive all take away froms related to licensing and file review; however, the insurance prices cannot be waived, as they are not an Institute service. Moreover, all members are advised that they must maintain the professional liability insurance for six years after performing the task.

If you have any questions, please contact Mike Essex CA, director of Practice Review & Licensing, at essex@ica.bc.ca or 604-488-2622/toll clear 1-800-663-2677.

BY BARB CARLE-THIESSON, FCA

PRESIDENT

Copyright Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia Apr 2005

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