Reflections
Letter from the President and CEO
The Public Success of CGAs
FROM:
JUL-AUG 2006 ISSUE
Across all sectors, in all areas of practice, the demand for accountants is higher than ever. Article after article hypes the vitality of our profession with all the urgency of a modern gold rush. In this case the hype is true. A changing professional landscape combined with new financial realities and a thriving global economy is creating more opportunity than ever in our field.
If it's a good time to be an accountant then it's a
great time to be a Certified General Accountant. The CGA designation has never been stronger. Our national research reports have contributed to public policy discussions on a wide range of important national issues. Our presence at the standards setting table, both nationally and internationally, is helping to shape and develop this
ever-evolving area for the profession. Recently we helped inform the national federal budget process with our
pre-budget submission, and our
post-budget commentary was picked up by media outlets across the country.
This heightened profile positions us to seize opportunities as they emerge. Our recent initiative within the federal public sector is a case in point. When the federal government sought to increase financial management and internal audit capacity within the public sector,
CGA-Canada saw an exceptional opportunity to advance the designation, along with the careers of the thousands of CGAs who already work in the sector. We conducted a series of meetings and consultations with senior financial officers from the public sector to make a compelling case for why ours should be the designation of choice to fill the government's needs. Our presentations highlighted the benefits and advantages of the CGA designation including our advanced standing with the Institute of Internal Auditors towards the Certified Internal Auditor designation and our MBA partnerships with Canadian
post-secondary institutions.
The discussions proved to be extremely productive, with the Office of the Comptroller General remarking on the good work already being performed by CGAs in the public sector. Of the 1,245 graduates from the government's financial officer and internal audit recruitment and development (FORD/IARD) program,
60 per cent have or are working towards an accounting designation and, of these, nearly half have chosen a CGA.
We will continue to seek out opportunities that allow us to actively support our members. Our public sector initiative achieves this and so much more: it helps the designation evolve by continuing to stretch and broaden our reach. It advances our profession by matching financial expertise and leadership to where it is most needed. Finally, it serves the public interest by helping to restore accountability and confidence to our public institutions.
That we have built a formidable designation is a testament to the strength of the relationships we have built. Any success we achieve with the public sector effort will be due as much to contributions by CGA affiliate organizations as to any other aspect of the project. This deserves to be recognized and commended. The months ahead will see our professional landscape open up as never before and I am confident that this strong relationship will be the cornerstone to further success as we pursue the opportunities that await us.
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