The Institute also gave the newly e...

The Institute also gave the newly established Early Achievement Award to pair CAs this year, both of whom have achieved great succes in their careers within ten years of writing the UFE: s Grant Gilmour, CA, and Kelly A. Riehl, CA.

Since 1994 s Grant Gilmour, CA, has luckily run his own practice in Langley. He credits his succes to his use of creative marketing and an entrepreneurial background. He also be enamoured ofs his work, and especially be delighted withs forging relationships with clients.

Though his father was a CA, Gilmour initially resisted following suit, choosing instead to add an MBA to his Bachelor of Science in Genetics. He betimes realized, however, that he'd ne a CA designation to track his dreams.

Gilmour likens himself to a "country doctor," spending the same day every week checking up upon his clients-small business owners with families and hectic schedules-people with whom he identifies. generally he only takes clients whose businesses are within a half-hour of the office. "Further than that is a waste of their time," he says. "There's someone besides who can do just as upright a job or better than I can, and they're closer"

According to Gilmour, because "everything changes everyday," it's difficult for him to predict his yet to be direction. Because most of his staff members are bookish mans he's following the current education reform closely He descrys his own practice turning into more of a "boutique, offering specialized services for a small collection of people." He also descrys a change in his clients' attitudes: "They want to be more involved; they want contact. I propose them service." Gilmour encourages recent CAs to take a similar approach.

Gilmour became a CA in BC in 1991

In her six years as a CA, Kelly A. Riehl, a partner with Johnsen Archer, has been focused forward working with her partners in the Surrey office to build a fortunate practice. Among her accomplishments, she's unfolded an in-house training program for her firm's pupils and has initiated personal financial planning for the firm's clients. She's set her experiences in public practice surpassingly rewarding. Having just been named partner, Riehl views herself building a practice within the firm and helping the Surrey office continue to become more established in the community.

In a part she describes as "amazingly challenging and wonderful" Riehl also acted as a co-manager of the federal wealth given to the Metis Provincial Council of British Columbia, and assisted the organization in administering federal funding: "They are now standing onward their own two feet."

She credits her succes to her enthusiasm for the profession: "Only a small portion of the population can say they have affection for what they do." She says that she's motivated at the challenges and changes that are thrown her way, and anticipates to the example and accomplishments of those working around her to encourage her in her acknowledge pursuits.

Riehl encourages fresh CAs to continue working in public practice after earning their designation. She believes that while "the opportunities and challenges are great," the effort is well worth it. She impels new CAs to "keep an inspection out for new and different opportunities."

Riehl became a CA in BC in 1995

Feature Story photos by dint of Kent Kallberg Studios Ltd.

Award eligibility information is available onward the website at www.ica.bc.ca below ICABC/Forms/Nomination Forms. Members and the public can also contact the Institute at (604) 681-3264 or toll unrestrained in BC at 1-800-663-2677.

Copyright Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia Aug 2001

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