Starting his presidency in the mids...

Starting his presidency in the midst of the independence debate, our immediate past president, John Cowperthwaite, FCA, had to hit the region running. He handled the part like a true pmressional, and as I start my presidency in the midst of another important issue-the potential merger with the CMAs-I have John's stellar example to guide me

With the merger issue foremost upon everyone's minds, Richard Rees, FCA, furnishs a recap of the consultation phase in this month For the Profession, along with a preview of what you can count upon to see in September. In this line you'll find some history forward the merger issue, for which I thank the late T Affleck, FCA, from whose ICABC publication entitled "75th Anniversary Commemorative History" I borrowed heavily, and Ron Park, FCA, a former ICABC executive director, from whose records I also borrowed.

Merging-a bit of history

Although many of you remember a similar-albeit provincially driven-initiative in the late 1980 merger and merger attempts actually date a great deal earlier.

Our Institute incorporated in 1905 In 1920 when the Society of Public Accountants of BC announced that it would also prosecute incorporation, the ICABC launched a pre-emptive strike, luckily seeking revisions to its Act that allowed it to admit members of the Society and other resident public accountants of long-standing without articling and, in principally cases, without writing a final qualifying exam. In in like manner doing, the Institute retained its privilege of conferring the individual professional accountancy designation in BC

That same year, nevertheless on a national level, leading CAs supported the incorporation of the Society of Industrial Accountants by way of Federal Charter, with the proviso that Society members confine their activities to industrial and commercial accounting and administration.

In 1944 the provincial Society of Industrial Accountants petitioned the BC legislature for a bill to incorporate and grant its members the only right to use the "RIA" or Registered Industrial Accountant designation, which became "CMA" in BC in 1989 The Institute did not formally withstand the bill, which was enacted in 1945 onward the condition that the Society's Act prohibits its members from engaging in public practice.

The door to the use of multiple accounting designations in BC had been opened

In 1958 Council compressed for statutory regulation of the accounting profession, and began discussions with the other incorporated accounting bodies. In 1963 the draft (new) Chartered Accountants' Act was ratified at an SGM prior to receiving inferior reading in the legislature. Supported on the CGAs of BC (incorporated in 1951) and the Society of Industrial Accountants of BC the propos bill would have allowed the Institute to admit CGAs in public practice to membership, along with other public accountants who met certain training and experience requirements. further after much debate, the bill not at any time made it to second reading.

The 1980s

The 1980 saw a growing awareness of the value of training outside of public practice, and the ICABC began to discuss the possibility of integrating near activities with the BC CMA Society as a means to enhance services. by dint of mid-1987, the possibility of a merger was forward the table.

When the proposal met with hardy opposition from many members, particularly those who were newly qualified, a market-research company was enlisted to direction a membership survey. Results indicated that a majority of CAs would suffrage against the merger, with more than half citing the possibility of reduc prestige for the CA designation as their main regard In the summer of 1988 all action upon the proposal was suspended.

Interestingly, the view revealed that the majority of members were not interested about competition in the marketplace or the reduc replenish of CA students-issues that were of disturb for the Institute.

Present day

This month Feature Story, written on Steven J. Glover, FCA, chair of the Council of Senior Executives' Strategic Planning Task Force and executive director of the ICAA, summarizes a lately released Task Force report, which confirms that these issues remain a big affair today. It was against the backdrop of this inter-Institute strategic planning initiative that national CA and CMA leaders began, last summer to discuss the possibility of a merger

The proposal to involve these two esteemed accounting bodies is popularly being considered. No formal plan has been produc We want to know your contemplations on the issue, and, to that [i]finale[/i] we've been travelling the province providing information about the Task Force and the merger proposal. We are hearing your messages and will chase member direction as we either influence ahead with the merger or not.

Regardless of the issue of the merger discussion, members can count upon to see our profession change-significantly. I animate you to seek out the information you ne to become informed. And I'd regard with affection to hear from you. Contact me at president@ica.bc.ca.

BY BARB CARLE-THIESSON, FCA

PRESIDENT

Copyright Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia Aug 2004

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