Foresight: The CPA Podcast

CPA Canada

Foresight: The CPA Podcast asks CPAs to reimagine their position at the centre of the economy. Accountants face an urgent choice: embrace change or risk falling behind, losing relevance and being replaced by competitors. Foresight: The CPA Podcast takes a deep dive into how societal shifts are transforming the role of CPAs. From AI to ESG. From protecting the environment to protecting professional ethics. Each episode asks CPAs to reimagine their position at the centre of the economy. This podcast is part of the Foresight initiative from CPA Canada, aimed at setting a new strategic direction for the Canadian accounting profession. Visit us at www.cpacanada.ca/en/foresight-initiative Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada. =========================== La série Balados pour CPA : Voir demain invite les comptables à se repositionner en plein cœur de l’économie. Les CPA doivent faire un choix urgent : s’ouvrir au changement ou être laissés derrière, perdre de leur pertinence, et être remplacés par des concurrents. Dans chaque épisode, nous analysons en profondeur certaines transformations sociétales et leur incidence sur le rôle des CPA : éthique professionnelle, intelligence artificielle et facteurs environnementaux, sociaux et de gouvernance sont abordés. Ces balados s’inscrivent dans le projet Voir demain, que CPA Canada mène afin d’élaborer une nouvelle orientation stratégique pour la profession comptable canadienne. Pour en savoir plus, visitez-nous à: www.cpacanada.ca/fr/voir-demain-initiative Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada. read less
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The impact of Gen Z on the accounting profession
16-10-2023
The impact of Gen Z on the accounting profession
In May 2021, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) produced a study called Ground-breakers: Gen Z and the future of accountancy . The study suggests the future of accounting is no longer in the hands of baby boomers and gen-Xers. Millennials have stepped into leadership roles and a new generation with a distinct perspective on the profession is entering the workforce. Generation Z, born after 1996, are digital natives who have never experienced a world without the internet and are starting their careers when remote work is the norm. Gen Z signals a societal shift that will influence the evolution of the accounting profession over the next decade.This episode features a panel with three unique perspectives to help understand this shift: Charlotte Hamilton, CPA, senior consultant at EY Canada; Murjanat "MJ" Dambatta, CPA, an assistant controller at Oliver and Bonacini Hospitality; and Safia Rahemtulla, CPA, CA, CIA, C3PRMP, an associate partner at EY Canada. They delve into the aspirations and expectations of Gen Z professionals, shedding light on their motivations.Ground-breakers: Gen Z and the future of accountancy To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:Foresight: The CPA PodcastCPA Canada's Foresight InitiativeCPA Canada EnglishCPA Canada (Français)Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.
How CPAs can manage a more polarized workplace
02-10-2023
How CPAs can manage a more polarized workplace
Liane Davey, PhD., and author of ‘The Good Fight’, distinguishes healthy and unhealthy workplace conflict and how CPAs can cultivate an environment that encourages collaboration.On this episode, renowned team effectiveness advisor and author of The Good Fight , Liane Davey, PhD., discusses how to manage problems in a workplace arising from individuals with polarized views. Bringing people together around common goals and bridging the gaps between various parts of an organization is integral to the modern CPA’s role; the CPA Competency Map 2.0 identifies conflict management as a key competency in the foundational common core.With that in mind, this episode digs into the skills CPAs need to master to successfully navigate this developing and emerging issue. Listen now to deepen your understanding of how effective conflict navigation and communication can not only become a crucial part of your role, but also a driver of your success in an increasingly polarized world.Highlights of SHRM 2022 Politics at Work StudyEurasia Group’s Top Risks of 20233 Strategies to Address Political Polarization in the WorkplaceCPA Canada Competency Map 2.0To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:Foresight: The CPA PodcastCPA Canada's Foresight InitiativeCPA Canada EnglishCPA Canada (Français)Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.
Should accounting be part of STEM?
18-09-2023
Should accounting be part of STEM?
Jan Taylor, CPA, PhD, addresses a growing movement in the United States to have accounting considered as a STEM field and its potential impact on attracting new talent into the profession.On this episode, Jan Taylor, CPA, PhD, academic in residence and senior director of academic and student engagement at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA), passionately advocates for the inclusion of accounting within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. She underscores how the profession has evolved from its traditional number-crunching origins into a field where technology and innovation hold centre stage.Jan outlines the multifaceted benefits that would accompany the recognition of accounting as a STEM discipline. This transition, she explains, could render accounting more attractive to a wider array of prospective students. "We are not counting beans anymore," Jan asserts, underlining how this acknowledgment would help dispel enduring stereotypes about the profession.She also reveals that contemporary accounting programs are already deeply immersed in areas such as data analytics, IT auditing, blockchain and cybersecurity. Jan convincingly argues that the move to formally recognize accounting as a STEM field is not so much about instigating change, but rather aligning with the already transformed reality of the profession.7 Reasons why accounting should join other tech professions as a STEM fieldAICPATo learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:Foresight: The CPA PodcastCPA Canada's Foresight InitiativeCPA Canada EnglishCPA Canada (Français)Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.
The rise of the continuous audit
04-09-2023
The rise of the continuous audit
We’re kicking off season five with Kevin Kolliniatis, CPA, the national technology leader for KPMG in Canada’s audit and assurance practice. Kevin has been instrumental in KPMG’s transition towards continuous auditing. This emerging aspect of accounting can be described as a transformative shift from traditional practices. It’s characterized by a continuous flow of client information that is analyzed, monitored and flagged for exceptions in real time.Kevin highlights numerous benefits of continuous auditing, including:· Real-time transaction monitoring: instant data analysis, detecting potential issues as they emerge rather than adhering to a set audit timeline· Proactive response to anomalies: swift responses to irregularities, such as transactions exceeding set tolerance limits, and can potentially prevent fraudulent activities· Impact on business operations and customer relations: enhance customer trust and satisfaction by streamlining overall operations helping to prevent issues like double billing· Comprehensive transaction coverage: covering 100 per cent of transactions, leading to more detailed audits and facilitating improved client communicationListen in as we unpack the developing concept of continuous auditing.Advanced Data Management Certificate Program: Advanced Data Management Certificate ProgramTo learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:Foresight: The CPA PodcastCPA Canada's Foresight InitiativeCPA Canada EnglishCPA Canada (Français)Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.
Is sustainability a priority in times of economic uncertainty?
27-02-2023
Is sustainability a priority in times of economic uncertainty?
On this episode, Priyanka Lloyd, Executive Director of Green Economy Canada, discusses how taking meaningful steps to reduce emissions can make businesses stronger and better equipped to navigate an unpredictable future. When times are uncertain, it's natural to become risk-averse and cling to familiar processes and approaches. However, she argues that this is the ideal time to rethink spending on energy.Despite global uncertainty, many organizations continue the shift to sustainability, but not all. What keeps Priyanka up at night is the challenge of encouraging the 1.2 million businesses in Canada to take meaningful steps to reduce emissions. She believes that this will make them stronger and better equipped to navigate an unpredictable future.Through her work, Priyanka helps companies implement sustainable practices, and in this episode, she cites a specific example of a small manufacturer that dramatically reduced costs by making slight adjustments to their infrastructure.Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:Foresight: The CPA PodcastCPA Canada's Foresight InitiativeCPA Canada EnglishCPA Canada (Français)
Using sustainability as an opportunity to future-proof your accounting career
19-09-2022
Using sustainability as an opportunity to future-proof your accounting career
The rise of sustainability in business reporting requires CPAs to develop new skills and a new knowledge set. This may seem daunting, but Blake Phillips sees it as a way of future-proofing your career.Blake Phillips is the director of the School of Accounting and Finance at the University of Waterloo. He is the co-developer of a new program at the university, one that is aimed at training tomorrow’s green financial experts. The Bachelor of Sustainability and Financial Management officially starts in Fall 2022. The program’s fusion of sustainability and financial management is unique in Canada and highlights the integrated set of skills that will be in high demand in coming years.Phillips makes the point that accountants, who are well versed in financial systems, need to ensure that they gain the appropriate knowledge to understand financial, social and natural systems equally.University of Waterloo Sustainability and Financial Management programTo learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:Foresight: The CPA PodcastCPA Canada's Foresight InitiativeCPA Canada EnglishCPA Canada (Français)Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.
The CPA’s role in fighting corruption and money laundering
09-05-2022
The CPA’s role in fighting corruption and money laundering
The rise in globalization and the ever-increasing sophistication of corruption schemes have exponentially expanded the scope of the professional accountant’s role. The challenges CPAs currently face are significantly different from those encountered 20-25 years ago. It is important that CPAs rise to this challenge and equip themselves with the knowledge and skills to effectively combat misconduct at both a local and global level. Our first guest, José Hernandez is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ortus Strategies, a consulting firm that helps companies rebuild ethics and compliance programs. Prior to this, he founded FGI Europe and has been closely involved in unraveling many high-profile corruption cases over the past two and a half decades. He frequently offers expert testimony to legislatures, parliament, and governments on combatting corruption. “The first lesson is that accepting, tolerating corrupt regimes for an extended period of time, does inflict a tremendous human toll” says José, “in many ways, we’ve become too complacent… We really have to fight, and as accountants, custodians of this financial system. We need to fight even harder.”Michele Wood-Tweel speaks to the need for legislation to keep up with the ever-evolving practices of financial criminals, particularly in this country. Michelle is CPA Canada's Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and supports the council of chief executive's public trust committee.“Corruption is ramping up across the globe and Canada is not immune. In the CPA profession, we have to be aware that the risk is ever-present.” Michele comments, “we have to be super aware of what is taking place. We have to rise to the occasion to make sure that we're asking the right questions.”Episode 8 explores the responsibility of the CPA role in a global effort to combat corruption.Key Takeaways:1:32 - What the current situation in Russia/Ukraine can teach us about corruption2:50 – The impact of international fraud on accountants4:34 - The SNC Lavalin case 6:00 – How corruption has changed in the last few decades8:29 – New challenges CPAs are facing15:45 – How the Canadian government is trying to keep up with money laundering, particularly with the rise in virtual currency19:26 – Examples of money laundering within Canada and what it means for Canadian accountants21:27 – What to look out for as a CPA and how to stay on top of these rapid changesFor more information on Canada’s anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing legislation (AML/ATF), please visit the following:AML/ATF Guide: Guide to comply with Canada’s anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing (AML/ATF) legislationAML Resources: Anti-money laundering resourcesLearn more about CPA Canada's Foresight initiative, go to foresight.cpacanada.caTo learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:Foresight: The CPA PodcastCPA Canada's Foresight...
De CPA auditeur à formateur en finances personnelles
25-04-2022
De CPA auditeur à formateur en finances personnelles
Dans ce septième épisode de la deuxième saison du balado, Jean-Sébastien reçoit Pierre-Yves McSween, un invité qui porte plusieurs chapeaux. Effectivement, Pierre-Yves est non seulement CPA, mais aussi chroniqueur à la radio et animateur de l'émission L'indice McSween sur les ondes de Télé-Québec, en plus d’être l’auteur de plusieurs livres dont le livre : En as-tu vraiment besoin ? Il a aussi un passé en enseignement. Cet homme à tout faire réinvente la profession comptable traditionnelle en vulgarisant les règles du jeu financier au grand public à travers ses livres et les médias.  Au cours de l’épisode, Pierre-Yves nous éclaire sur son cheminement et sa routine hors du commun ainsi que sur sa façon de voir et de vulgariser les finances personnelles. Il explique aussi la plus-value que lui apporte sa formation de CPA au sein des médias. Finalement, il nous partage ses prédictions sur l’avenir de la comptabilité.  « Tu sais, les normes comptables, ça sert aux comptables et aux entreprises, mais les finances personnelles, ça touche 100 % des humains sur Terre. Même ceux qui ne sont pas financiers, ils vivent des conséquences économiques, ils vivent, disons, le mécanisme très violent du capital. Et donc, je me suis dit: Dans la vie, il vaut mieux apprendre aux gens à se servir des règles du jeu que de les combattre parce que les combattre, c'est long, tandis que savoir s'en servir, c'est accessible rapidement. »Pierre-Yves McSween, CPA, auteur, chroniqueur et animateur de L'indice McSween sur les ondes de Télé-Québec.[01:16] : Pierre-Yves nous décrit sa semaine typique et sa façon de naviguer la chronique, les enfants, les tournages et l’écriture. Il s’agit de journées très chargées, où il se lève très tôt et se couche très tard.  [04:42] : La formation de CPA est à l’avantage de Pierre-Yves maintenant qu’il travaille dans les médias. La plupart des journalistes et chroniqueurs nécessitent l’aide d’autres personnes pour bien comprendre l’information qu’ils doivent rapporter. Ce n’est pas son cas. Effectivement, il est en mesure de trouver et de comprendre l’information pertinente en seulement quelques secondes.  [05:41] : La vulgarisation devant les médias peut être comparée à l’enseignement, la différence étant le micro et le nombre de personnes qui reçoivent le message. L’enseignement a bien préparé l’invité pour sa carrière actuelle puisque c’est pendant son parcours en tant qu’enseignant qu’il a appris à répondre aux questions non préparées, parler en public et expliquer du matériel théorique en passant par l’humour pour une meilleure assimilation. [06:42] : C’est à travers sa vie personnelle et en faisant lui-même face aux mécanismes du jeu financier que Pierre-Yves a goûté aux finances personnelles et qu’il s’est rendu compte que les gens n’avaient pas une bonne compréhension. Même certains comptables n’arrivent pas à optimiser leurs affaires. Ses expériences personnelles, jumelées à son expérience dans les banques pendant la crise financière, lui ont permis de développer beaucoup de bagage sur la compréhension technique du système et de se sentir utile. [08:43] : Pierre-Yves nous explique qu’il ne vend pas du rêve. Il vend plutôt des mécanismes et explique les règles du jeu de la société, ce qui permet aux gens de mieux agir sur le plan financier et d’optimiser leur performance financière. Ces règles sont expliquées à travers ses livres qui nous éclairent notamment au niveau de