Career > Feature
A Year of Celebration
As CGA marks its centennial anniversary, CGA Magazine spoke with members from across Canada to find out what their designations have meant for their careers.
FROM: JAN-FEB 2008 ISSUE | BY GUNDI JEFFREY
“Institutions that stay current and relevant survive and thrive, says Scott Lamont, CGA, vice-president, Administration and Finance of Brandon University in Manitoba. “CGA-Canada is a shining example of that tenet.”
And survived and thrived it has, for 100 years now. The association’s century of proud achievement started out as the vision of a single person, John Leslie, who decided to seek the friendship and support of like-minded people back in 1908 and went on to found an institution that still offers the same to its members – and so much more. The association’s success in transforming itself over the years to meet the continually changing requirements of an ever-increasingly complex business world is thanks to the efforts of many, many people with diverse backgrounds, talents, and experience.
Among the thousands of faces and personalities that have shaped the vision and mission of the association, we have chosen a few members at random who, together, offer a glimpse of why CGA will continue to be a dynamic leader in the business world.
Xiaofei Song, Academic
Teaching courses in financial and managerial accounting and financial statement analysis to budding accountants at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax is nothing new for Professor Xiaofei Song, CGA. Xiaofei has been part of the faculty at the prestigious institution for the past nine years, and prior to that, held positions at Pace University in New York, Baruch College-CUNY in New York, and Fudan University in Shanghai, China.
A CGA since 2004, Xiaofei completed CGA-Canada’s senior academic program, which is a path to the designation specifically designed for academics. Xiaofei holds a PhD in accounting from the City University of New York, and completed her MBA at Saint Mary’s in 1991. She also holds a master’s degree in industrial engineering from China’s Shanghai JiaoTong University. Xiaofei’s research on financial reporting and earnings forecasts has been published in leading journals such as the Journal of Accounting, Auditing, and Finance.
In addition to her teaching and research activities, she is working on the second edition of her co-authored textbook, Financial Accounting – Impact on Decision Makers. Xiaofei also contributes to the profession through her service on the CGA Nova Scotia Education and Practical Experience Committee and the Marketing Committee.
Given that many of her students are on their way to becoming professional accountants, Xiaofei was inspired to earn her designation to complement her degrees. “I teach many MBA students who are interested in the CGA program. Now I can speak about the advantages of CGA with firsthand knowledge. I think a key advantage is that the education program is very solid, but not rigid. Sometimes we say it is flexible and while that is true, “flexible” does not mean the program is easier than any other accounting program,” she emphasizes.
While teaching is one passion, another is her family. “I have two young boys, 6 and 10, who play hockey, so these days watching practices and games is my hobby,” she laughs.
Pierre Samson, Consultant
His designation is the highlight of his achievement-studded career, says Pierre Samson, FCGA, president and founder of Samson & Associates, one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in the Outaouais region of Quebec. “It gave me the confidence and credibility to move up in the ranks of the federal government to an audit manager’s position in seven years.” He adds that he was offered a director’s position with the Office of the Auditor General but chose to go into business for himself.
His firm, which was launched in 1990 with only himself on the payroll, now has a staff of 60 and $6 million in revenues a year. He’s proud of the fact that the company was able to buy, in 2001, a beautiful landmark building for its offices, “one of the few to survive the great fire of 1900.”
Samson & Associates has done a huge variety of consulting work to a wide variety of government agencies, spanning everything from Health Canada, National Defence, Correction Services, Fisheries and Oceans, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Canadian International Development Agency, and Canadian Heritage – to name just a few. He has written a range of articles – mostly directed at CGA audiences – on the modernization of comptrollership, financial information strategy (FIS), and FIS training strategy.
Because the CGA gave him “numerous opportunities for advancement and a good life” for him and his family, Pierre has chosen to give back to the profession. As president of CGA-Quebec, Pierre is currently heavily involved in the battle for full professional rights for the province’s CGAs. He notes that Bill 46, which enshrines those rights, “is now in the Assemblée Nationale du Québec and should be passed very soon.” He also serves on CGA-Canada’s Executive Committee, providing valuable perspective on the body’s strategic planning.
But it’s not all work and no play. Pierre says he golfs and plays hockey several times a week and, on Sundays, “gardening and the BBQ take precedence over the BlackBerry.”
Jean L. Laporte, Civil Servant
Jean L. Laporte, FCGA, director general, Corporate Services, for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), says his designation led him to the top. He was hired by the TSB 22 years ago as a graduate of the Financial Officers Recruitment Program, got his CGA and never looked back, ultimately becoming the CFO of his organization.
“The CGA program helped me develop key skills that I now apply on a daily basis. It has also provided me with the technical knowledge and competencies required to analyze and resolve financial management problems, as well as financial information for decision making. A key requirement of my job is to challenge requests for funding, and my CGA training has helped me develop the required skills to effectively play that role.”
A recognized leader in the federal financial community, Jean was instrumental in working with CGA-Canada and comptroller general Charles Antoine St-Jean to establish an executive training program for federal public servants.
He has lent his skills to the Treasury Board and is a past president of the Financial Management Institute where he modernized the FMI governance and operating practices. He also promoted collaboration with CGA, CMA, and CA organizations at national and provincial levels.
Jean is one of the founding members and was chairman for eight years of the Small Agencies Finance Action Group. Under his leadership, small agency financial officers joined forces to convey their concerns to federal central agencies, shared best practices, and implemented major change initiatives.
Jean has also volunteered with the boy scouts and tirelessly continues to promote his profession in speeches and presentations throughout the country. The designation made it all possible, he says. “It opens doors and gives me instant recognition when I sit at the management table.”
Angela Guerra, Auditor
Angela Guerra is a new CGA with dreams of a secure future in an uncertain world. Receiving her designation just over a year ago, she’s now a senior auditor with Investors Group in Winnipeg. In this role, she is responsible for planning and coordinating operational audits, overseeing the company’s fraud risk assessment project, and directing the Mutual Fund Audit.
Even though she’s a relative newcomer to the business world, Angela says her CGA has already given her “increased credibility and the skills necessary to advance quickly within Investors Group. I don’t believe it would have been possible to reach my current position so quickly if it weren’t for my designation.”
Always a high achiever, making the Dean’s Honour List while at university, winning scholarships and awards, including the CGA-Manitoba Award of Excellence in 2005, Angela has set the bar for her professional life very high, aiming at one of the top spots in her company. “I truly believe my commerce degree and CGA designation, along with hard work and dedication will pave the way to achieving my goals.”
Angela is spreading the message to business students. “The unlimited potential is the biggest benefit of being a CGA. There are CGAs in every industry working in various roles. The choice is ours as to where we would like to be in our careers.”
Scott Lamont, Administrator
Scott Lamont, CGA, vice-president, Administration and Finance of Brandon University in Manitoba, has not only parlayed his CGA into a rich professional career, but has passed the torch to his children, two of whom are working toward qualifying for their own CGA designation.
For Scott, the purpose and meaning of the designation has changed over the years. “Because my primary interest was in the field of agriculture, acquiring accounting experience was simply a backup plan.” Once out of university, however, it was his accounting training that qualified Scott for a controller job with Redfern Farm Services “and my diploma in agriculture was a bonus.”
By the time he received his CGA designation in 1990, the management responsibilities of his role, and his expertise, had grown exponentially and he was ready to move on. In 1992, he became the director of financial and accounting services for Brandon University. “It was the CGA designation that qualified me for the job.”
Again, his responsibilities grew and, in 1996, Scott was named chief administrative and financial officer (later changed to his current title), making him responsible for financial and accounting matters, human resources and labour relations, athletics and recreation, as well as a range of senior management planning, communication, government and institutional relations responsibilities. “Every professional accounting administrator at Brandon University is either a designated CGA or a student in the CGA program,” he points out, “a fact of which I am very proud. No other designation in Canada provides better preparation for business professionals.”
Rebecca Braun, Land Developer
Rebecca Braun, CGA, vice-president of Finance, of Hopewell Residential Communities Inc., an Alberta-based residential land development company, says she has always been attracted to accounting.
“As a child I was fascinated watching bank tellers add stacks of cheques on an adding machine. I’d go to my father’s business and do the same. That eventually led to guaranteed employment and great experience for future accounting positions.”
Although Rebecca was a self-employed music instructor for some years, the lure of accounting drew her back to the business world in the early 90s, when a chartered accountant encouraged her to pursue the CGA designation. “I always follow good advice,” she says, adding that her designation gave her the credibility and skills to carry out increasingly demanding jobs. She now oversees all of her company’s financial and accounting functions, negotiates financing for land, equity and development phases, and assists with the leadership responsibilities for the human resources team. “I’m fortunate to work with other CGAs,” she says, “and we encourage our team members to pursue the designation as well.”
Rebecca has also taken her skills to her community, serving as a director for Master’s Academy and volunteering for many organizations, including Meals on Wheels, Inn from the Cold, and the Calgary Food Bank. CGA-Alberta benefited from her skills as a member of the Complaints Advisory Committee and, most recently, as a governor of the association.
For Rebecca, who is about to pursue an MBA, “one of the best parts of being a CGA is the instant connection and networking opportunities with other CGAs. I appreciate the rigorous education program and know that, when I’m dealing with other CGAs, I can assume an advanced level of accounting knowledge and determination.”
Adriana Ruso, Triple-Bottom-Line Accountant
The CGA designation gave Adriana Ruso, who immigrated to Canada 13 years ago, the passport to a successful new life. Adriana came from Bucharest, Romania in late 1994 after beginning a career as an accountant.
The program proved perfect for her. “It gave me the opportunity to study for a new career while working full-time and having a family. This flexibility suited my needs and contributed to the overall success of my career.”
Currently director of Finance with Vancouver-based Ecotrust Canada, an organization working to build a conservation economy in the coastal communities of British Columbia, Adriana is in charge of Ecotrust’s financial accounting, reporting and budgeting, and participates in the overall strategy and business planning.
Adriana, who recently was part of a group that hiked to the base camp of Mount Everest, believes her CGA will help her climb professional mountains as well. “My goal is to become a CFO. The designation and the training I acquired going through the program will help me pursue this goal.”
Volunteering is an important part of Adriana’s life. Being a CGA makes her attractive to boards of directors, “mainly because we are known to have high professional standards, which always extend into the non-working aspects of our lives. High ethics become second nature.”
Going through the CGA program helped Adriana learn how to better prioritize and balance all aspects of life. “It makes everything else you pursue in terms of time commitment look easy.”
Strong and Growing Internationally
“As a result of its rich history, vast experience and the many varied skills of its members, CGA is able to make a strong contribution to the accounting profession, both nationally and internationally,” Pierre Samson sums up. “CGA was built like Canada itself, making its way across the continent from coast to coast to coast and now extending its mark to the international level.”
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