Associations
FROM: MAY-JUN 2003 ISSUE
Best of B.C.
The goal for Colin J. Bruintjes, FCGA, for the coming year is simple: he aims to ensure that CGA-B.C.'s members and students receive the best services possible. "I hope this is done by delivering a new updated strategic plan and providing those services on a new technologically advanced format," says the affiliate president for 2003.
A CGA since 1989, Bruintjes has operated his own accounting practice for six and a half years. Previous to that, he was employed at public practice firms for 12 years. In addition to his CGA, he has a diploma in business administration. He resides in Smithers, B.C., with his wife of almost 20 years, Muriel, and their three children, Matthew (18), Kayla (16) and Daron (12).
Bruintjes got involved with the association when he was a student, as director of his local chapter. He has been a member of the CGA-B.C. board since 2000 and has served on the chapter development and audit committees, chairing the audit committee in 2000. He also chaired the practice review committee in 2001. Nationally, he was a member of the National Education Committee from 2000 to 2002.
"Since the beginning of my CGA career I have appreciated what CGA has brought me. I know that CGAs are an extraordinary group of individuals, and being involved came naturally," he says.
Serving with Bruintjes on the CGA-B.C. executive are Len A. Pietrzykowski, CGA, first vice-president; Rita M. Estock, CGA, second vice-president; Gordon H. Ruth, FCGA, past president and treasurer; and R.W. (Bill) Caulfield, BA, FCIS, CGA (Hon.), executive director and secretary.
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Bermuda Practice Rights
CGA-Bermuda is in a battle similar to one faced by many CGAs in Canada. President Bill Ingham, CGA, says he will continue to push the case for the establishment of an independent public accounting licensing board. Ingham has used recent events in Ontario, specifically the passing of Bill 213, to lobby MPs, government and business officials for change in Bermuda.
Ingham, who received his designation in 1992, recently began his second year as president of CGA-Bermuda. Currently, he has taken a break from working as a professional accountant to serve various charities and explore his interest in yoga. Although he has always lived in Bermuda, Ingham has spent some time in Canada, attending Upper Canada College in Toronto and studying for his bachelor of commerce degree at Carleton University in Ottawa.
Serving with Ingham on the CGA-Bermuda board are Colin Daniel, CGA, vice-president; Patricia Livingstone, CGA, treasurer; Craig Swan, CGA, secretary; David Rance, CGA, membership director; Pamela Greyson, CGA, past president; Jane Smith, CGA, education co-ordinator; Bruce Wilkie, FCGA, member; Gary Pitman, CGA, member; and John Kessaram, CGA, member.
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Bahamas Promotion
One of CGA-Bahamas' principal goals is to reactivate student promotion, despite the stiff competition from other professional bodies, says president Mary Mitchell, CGA. Mitchell is targeting students who are serious about the program. She says this will be achieved through increased public relations and encouraging more members to become involved in the association.
Mitchell has been president of CGA-Bahamas since November 1999. Previous to that she served as vice-president and secretary. She was student administrator from 1988 to 1995. She received her designation in 1987, though from the time she started working at an accounting firm in 1977, she was interested in pursuing a career in accounting.
"My goal was to become professionally qualified and at the same time work and take care of my daughters. CGA afforded me that opportunity," she says. Her daughters, Shantelle (26) and Keisha (19), are now an engineer and art student, respectively.
Mitchell currently lives in Nassau and works as acting senior deputy treasurer at the Treasury Department. Prior to this position, she was deputy director of finance with the Bahamas Maritime Authority in London, England, from 1996 to 1999, and financial controller with the Ministry of Health from 1990 to 1996.
Serving with Mitchell on the CGA-Bahamas executive are Richard Demeritte, PhD, FCGA, immediate past president; Richard Sands, FCGA, vice-president; Louis Butler, CGA, vice-president, student affairs; Timothy Brown, CGA, secretary; and Roswell Thompson, CGA, treasurer.
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