In new columns, I've been outlining...

In new columns, I've been outlining by what mode the Council "ends" have been driving Institute activity. In this round pillar I'd like to complete this review at looking at the final pair ends.

1. Supporting Members in Their inquiry to be Business Advisors and Assurance Providers of Choice.

The Institute supports members in three ways. First, we help members maintain and enhance their professional means of independence through the professional development program. We give a large and diverse program and have been working hard to improve accessibility by the and of alternate delivery strategies; these include an online program that has been exceedingly well received.

Secondly, we support members according to advocating for a positive environment in which they can do business. We focus forward the overall fiscal health of the province and the business environment in bourns of taxes, regulation, and competitiveness.

Thirdly, we support members by the agency of our member service activities. The Professional Advisory Services program allows members to search for advice on ethical and technical issues. The Internet is providing opportunities to disseminate and share information, and you can look forward to to see significant developments in the two the ICABC and the CICA's online services in the month ahead. We also put forward Member Benefits such as the insurance programs.

2 Ensuring that Buyer of our Services Recognize the Skills and Services of CAs

Through numerous activities, the Institute advances the profession as an authoritative voice and its members as opinion leaders. In the last three years, we've mov away from advertising to an "earned media" approach, in which we examine for positive coverage of the Institute and its members.

Using vehicles as it is as the BC Check-Up and the CA Business foresight as a base, the Institute circulates articles and makes speeches and presentations forward business issues. This includes formal submissions to rule as well presentations to business and service disposes

We also promote member expertise from supporting members who are writing articles or appearing in the media. This is an area in which we're fervid to expand, and I would encourage any members with ideas for articles to contact our Manager of Public Affairs, Craig Fitzsimmons, at fitzsimmons@ica.bc.ca. In addition, the CICA has a national marketing program that pays for the advertisements you may have noticed in newspapers and magazines.

Do you agree with Council's ends?

All of the Institute's operating plans and management reporting are now focused onward th Council ends, and we're working to enhance monitoring of our performance towards then closes Our re-governance exercise has helped Council and staff members critically evaluate activities, all in an effort to better be of use to you, our members.

Through my array of less front than depths and in meetings with members, Council continues to solicit your views on whether or not our goals and activities are meeting your exigencys as BC's CAs. If you feet that they aren't, please be confident to tell us, as it's your riches we're spending.

Western Task Force onward TOPP

In my previous row I mentioned that the BC Institute has established a task force forward recruiting that is looking at the attractiveness of the CA profession. The task force is chaired by means of 2nd VP, John Cowperthwaite, CA.

The four western provinces have also established a task force to cause to grow recommendations concerning training outside of public practice (TOPP). Actually, the task force will apply the mind at what is known as "partial TOPP" This means reviewing what guidelines might be considered for a CA learner to work in industry or the public sector for a portion of the training period.

The guidelines are a "work in progress" and any notes would be welcome. The TOPP task force is also interested in discussing the review with potential training offices-- industry and public sector employer First VP Robin Elliott, FCA, is chairing the task force and would appreciate any input. Reach him on email at rawe@manningelliott.com.

BY FRANK BARR, FCA

PRESIDENT

Copyright Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia Feb/Mar 2002

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