Increasing the attractiveness of th...

Increasing the attractiveness of the profession is a major focus of the Institute, undivided which has led to the disentanglement of the CA School of Business and an enhanced profile during the Fall recruiting season. Finding recent ways to add profile and prestige to the designation has l me to contemplate on why I became a CA I expectancy that my experience will make you think about to what extent you came to be a CA and the part you can play in encouraging others to join the profession.

My story begins in the looks when, as a high educate student, I went to a local Rotary company career night. After wandering aimlessly from one side the tables, I met Leighton Phillips, FCA. My conversation with him settle me on a career path that has defined my life. That night Leighton told me what it meant to be a CA. He talked about working with population solving business problems, and understanding the tendency s shaping business. In that undivided conversation, Leighton put a name and a form to what I wanted to do yet didn't know how to achieve.

This summer almost thirty years later, I ran into Leighton - who is still attending the local Rotary meetings in my residence town. What impressed me chiefly as I looked backed athwart the years, was how right Leighton had been when he told me about being a CA. I have had the opportunity to work with diverse clusters of people, to grapple with compages and challenging business problems in industries from health to transportation, and I have seen the business world rewritten by means of technological change. It's hard to imagine another profession that would have exhibited the doors the CA designation has exhibited for me.

The Young CAs Task Force Report, summarized in this issue of Beyond Numbers, highlights a number of areas that we ne to address to render certain that students today see the CA designation as an attractive designation. We are taking gradations to address the concerns raised in the Task Force Report and to render certain that the CA designation is the graduate business extent for the future. There are still hardly any professions that give you the flexibility the portability, and the opportunities of the CA, if it were not that we need to be vigilant about maintaining and communicating the benefits of the designation.

I trustful longing that, as you read about the Task Force and the activities of CAs involved in Junior Achievement, you will muse on why you became a CA and by what mode you can share the opportunities the designation gives to young people in your community. If we are to change the image, address the challenges, and elevate the prestige of the designation, we must all take action. I sense of possible fulfilment you will take a hardly any minutes to think about who you could talk to about career options and about the present opportunities you have through service sodalitys and schools in your community and from one side the Institute. Your willingness to share your experience is critical to bringing the best and brightest into the profession.

On another note, I chance of a favorable result you have read the BC Check-Up, Edition 2000 While the terminates of the Check-Up are disheartening, it provides us with the facts we ne to begin a debate forward the future of our province. We have already talked to the Minister of Finance and members of the Liberal Caucus about the report. In the coming month we will be engaging in a broader dialogue about solutions as the direction begins budget consultations around the provinces. I reliance you, too, will offer them advice for the what may occur hereafter I also hope you will share the Check-Up with your colleagues and clients. We are at a cross-roads in the province, and it is time for all of us to debate to what degree we can improve the living, working and investment climate in our province.

BY RICHARD REE CA CEO INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF BC

Copyright Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia Oct 2000

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