Associations
FROM: SEP-OCT 2006 ISSUE
Conquering Challenges
One of the key challenges facing CGA Ontario this year is obtaining its status as an authorized licensing body under Ontario's Public Accounting Act, 2004. "CGAs have professional equity in law; we continue to work for professional equity in fact," says Joyce Evans, F.CIM, AMCT, MPA, FCGA, CGA Ontario's chair for 2006-2007. "Professional equity is not just about licensing and public accounting; it's about eliminating the unexamined bias that exists because we were denied access to public accounting licences in Ontario for so long."
A CGA since 1992, Evans believes strongly in giving back to her professional organization, and has found time and again that her volunteer experience has been a tremendous benefit to her in return. She began volunteering for the Association while she was a student, serving on the Hamilton chapter's Board between 1987 and 1997.
Since 1993 she has been an active member of CGA Ontario, serving on the Chapter, Member Services, Education, and Public Sector committees. In 1997 she was elected to the CGA Ontario Board and went on to chair or serve on the Admission to Standards, Appeals, Executive, Corporate and Finance, and Public Sector committees. She has been involved with the CGA-Canada Board since 2001, serving on the National Education Committee (NEC), the NEC Finance Sub-Committee, International Committee, and Board of Governance Task Force.
Evans is the director of revenue for the City of Kitchener. She emigrated to Canada from northern England with her husband Ivor, and they live in Dundas, Ontario. They have been married for over 40 years and have two grown children: Derek, who is also a CGA, and Jacqueline, a social worker. They are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren.
Accepting and overcoming challenges is a philosophy shared by both Evans and the CGA Ontario team. This willingness to face challenges was put to the test the day that Evans agreed to skydive as part of a team-building challenge. "Little did I know that I would be the only person to accept ..." she says. To her surprise, she enjoyed the experience — after the parachute opened, that is. To balance her demanding schedule, she enjoys calm hobbies, such as sewing, knitting, and walking in the nature conservation area surrounding Dundas.
Serving with Evans on the CGA Ontario executive are Rod Goetz, FCGA, executive vice chair; Kimberley Sacchetta, CGA, secretary/treasurer; Peter Rumyee, FCGA, executive member; Everett Colby, FCGA, executive member; and Bruce Hutton, FCGA, immediate past chair.
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Focus on Recruitment
An increasingly competitive marketplace requires a more aggressive student recruitment and retention campaign for the coming year, says CGA Newfoundland & Labrador President Claude Howell, B.Comm., CFP, CGA. Other goals for this year include improving the image of the designation and hiring an executive director for the St. John's office and its staff. The executive director will play a major role in this student recruitment objective as well as administer the education program and oversee the office staff — tasks which have been handled by Board members for the past two years.
"Our association, like most affiliates, has much to accomplish and we can only meet our goals and objectives if our members are willing to volunteer their time and skills," says Howell. He has demonstrated his own commitment to volunteering with the association through his eight years of service as a CGA Newfoundland & Labrador board member and more than 10 years on numerous provincial committees. The list of committees he has chaired includes the Education, Local Office, Audit & Finance, Marketing/Promotion & Student Recruitment, Ethics & By-Laws, Professional Development, Social & Graduation, and Member Services committees.
Howell received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1974. He went on to obtain his CGA designation in 1981. "I felt that my university degree was only a stepping stone and I would require an accounting designation to further my career in the accounting and finance area," he recalls. He also received his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 2001.
He has worked in the accounting and finance sector for most of his career. For the past six years he has been employed as assistant manager for EasternEdge Credit Union in St. John's, and prior to that he worked as chief accountant at Marine Atlantic Inc. for 19 years. He has lived in Newfoundland all his life, primarily in St. John's.
Outside of his work and volunteer time with the Association, Howell can be found pursuing his love of outdoor activities, in both winter and summer. He enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing, swimming, ATV riding, and snowmobiling. He also makes time on weekends and holidays to relax at the cottage along with his wife Wanda, or to work on small projects at their home. They have been married for 31 years and have two adult children, Jeff and Chawnte.
Serving with Howell on the CGA Newfoundland & Labrador executive are Debra Feltham, CGA, first vice-president; Terry Hutchings, FCGA, past president; Kevin Antle, CGA, treasurer; and Trevor McCormick, CGA, secretary.
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