Coffee Chats with CPABC

Rocky Ozaki, CEO of The Now of Work, shares key learnings from helping hundreds of organizations adopt AI and explores why CPAs can play a critical role in ensuring those efforts deliver real value.

Acts of generosity often start small, but they have a lasting impact. Calvin Lee, CPA, CA, and Megan Yarema, associate director, charitable initiatives at CPABC discuss how the Pay it Forward campaign makes a difference for future CPAs.

Technology risk and AI governance advisor Mary Carmichael, CPA, CMA, shares a practical, structured approach that organizations can use to evaluate and implement AI initiatives.

With AI-generated resumes and templated LinkedIn posts flooding our feeds, how do you stand out, using your own authentic voice? Certified organizational coach Bronche Cheng, CPA, CA shares her insight.

CPAs Matt Stam and Joni Rolleman chat about their trip to the Dominican Republic to volunteer as financial literacy educators in Haitian refugee communities.

Nationally recognized educator Randy Johnson, executive vice president at K2 Enterprises, outlines ransomware risks for CPA firms, how these threats are evolving, and ways to keep your data safe.

Let's pull back the curtain on crypto fraud to explore how these digital scams unfold, how investors get caught, and how you can protect yourself.

Seeing the whole field isn't just a soccer skill. It's a leadership one. CFO of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Lisa Abbate, CPA, CA, discusses how the CPA designation builds big-picture thinkers who can navigate risk, strategy, and leadership at the highest levels.

Synergy Enterprises' partner and general manager Heidi Grantner and CFO Kira Rochefort, CPA, discuss how CPAs are harnessing their skills to bring value to business via sustainability reporting and carbon accounting.

CPA Edgar Valaguez Moreno shares how he took his career from Mexico to BC through the mutual recognition agreement pathway and how he supports others on the same journey.

Openness, curiosity, and switching contexts to work across the entire business are part of a typical day for Josh Andler, CPA, senior director of finance at JaneApp.

What does it mean to lead with authenticity in a world that often rewards performance over presence, and logic over empathy? Certified Organizational Coach Bronche Cheng, CPA, shares her experience.

Companies are focused on transparent communication, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and embedment in corporate strategy. Learn why from Naomi Thomas, CPA, partner at PwC and sustainability expert in the mining sector, and Ivy Wan, CPA, senior manager of sustainability reporting and risk at Canfor.

CPABC's senior security analyst Jimmy Ho outlines how CPAs are being targeted by increasingly persuasive AI-generated scams, and how to guard against them.

What powers does the CRA currently have when requesting information in connection with an income tax audit? This podcast outlines some important updates and reminders.

AI expert Garrett Wasny describes how CPAs can add value to their roles and take on emerging opportunities by integrating AI privacy, security, and compliance.

Connective Support Society's CFO Emily Pagdin shares how CPAs can level up a not-for-profit's funding stack and non-traditional skills that CPAs can bring to the table to help NPOs thrive.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are key to building stronger organizations and better leaders. Still, EDI initiatives have their detractors, and it's impossible to ignore the recent backlash against EDI south of the border. With all of this in mind, we reached out to Henry Flowers, CPA, a senior manager in risk services at PwC Canada and the national co-chair of PwC's Black Professionals Inclusion Network, to talk about the challenges and benefits of creating a culture where everyone feels welcome.

"Since the Klondike Gold Rush, Dawson City has drawn adventure seekers, artists, and misfits…it's a place where beauty and magic happen." Member of CPA Yukon Julia Spriggs, director of finance and operations at the First Nation School Board, shares what it's like working as a CPA in Canada's North.

Discover how to cultivate a strategic mindset that empowers you to balance operational tasks with long-term success from strategic planning expert Mia Maki, FCPA, FCMA.

How does your information end up for sale on the dark web, and how can you prevent this from happening in the first place? Get insight from this podcast episode with Anthony Green, CPABC's manager of security operations and compliance.

Kerri Brkich, CPABC's vice president, external affairs and communication chats with Martha Okot Thomas, CPA, CA, an accounting and finance educator at Camosun College about neurodivergence at work and the benefits of being "different."

Recently we've seen significant disruption in many areas of business and society – including ESG. CPABC's president and CEO Lori Mathison explores the future of ESG with Katie Dunphy, partner and national ESG reporting transformation leader at KPMG in Canada.

Find out how the ESG Centre of Excellence can help BC businesses integrate ESG and attract investment with guidance, resources, and tailored support. CPABC's president and CEO Lori Mathison discusses with Kevin Butterworth, executive director at the ESG Centre of Excellence.

In this podcast episode, learn how a willingness to take a leap, along with hard work and perseverance have led Shamus Molloy, CPA, to a dynamic career that he loves as a manager at MNP.

What are key ESG considerations to attract venture capital and private equity? Find out in this podcast with CPABC's president and CEO Lori Mathison and Kookai Chaimahawong, executive director at the Centre for Climate and Business Solutions at UBC.

In this podcast episode, Michelle McRae, managing editor of CPABC in Focus magazine, chats with Donna Branston, CPA, CGA, a partner with DMCL in Victoria, about what it's like to work as an accountant in entertainment, with a focus on the music sector.

Chad Chang, CPA, CMA, co-founder and advisor at Purpose CPA, shares best practices and tips that CPAs can use to effectively select, integrate, and use accounting tech.

What ESG-related areas are tech companies focusing on to benefit their company, clients, and beyond? CPABC's president and CEO Lori Mathison, FCPA, FCGA, discusses with Zahra Kolia, CPA, CA (SA), vice president of finance at Copperleaf Technologies.

Increasingly, Indigenous communities are working with Indigenous-led organizations to finance major initiatives to grow and improve quality of life in their communities. Find out more in this conversation with Rachel McAllister, CPA, CA, CFO at First Nations Finance Authority and Leah Giesbrecht, communications specialist at CPABC.

Shelley Gilberg, CPA, CMA, ICD.D, is PwC Canada's managed accounts leader. Here, she speaks with Leah Giesbrecht, communications specialist at CPABC, about how executives can navigate generative AI to help their companies evolve and thrive. 

Jack Blackwell, CPABC's economist, speaks with Paulina Prokop, CPA, CA, Assurance Partner at PwC Canada, about the PwC Voice of the Consumer report and what is important to consumers in 2024. 

Lori Mathison, FCPA, FCGA, LLB, president and CEO of CPABC chats with Simon Hutton, director of strategy, ESG, and transformation at BDO Canada and John Asher, CPA, CA, a partner in BDO's Vancouver office and leader of BDO's risk advisory services practice in Western Canada, about how CFOs are using ESG as a tool to generate value.

Michelle McRae, managing editor of CPABC in Focus magazine for CPABC, chats with Emily Heinrich, CPA, CPA (Oregon), about what it means to bring your whole self to work. Emily is a partner in US corporate tax with BDO in Vancouver, the Pride at BDO Pillar Lead for the firm's National DEI Advisory Council, and a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 

Mindfulness expert Trish Tutton speaks with Vince Kanasoot, communications specialist, CPABC about how to use mindfulness technqiues to thrive through challenge, change, and chaos, no matter what.

Speaker, facilitator, and coach Ron Monteiro, CPA, CMA, explores how you can master the art of delegating.

Lori Mathison, FCPA, FCGA, LLB, president and CEO, CPABC talks with MNP's Peter Guo, CPA, CA, about the potential impact of Bill S-211, the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, on Canadian businesses. 

Paula Presta, CPA, CA, partner at KPMG Private Enterprise (Kamloops), and member of KPMG's National Executive Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (ID&E) Council speaks to Amy Lam, FCPA, FCA, executive vice president, corporate services and CFO at CPABC, about how we can advance EDI in the workplace and corporate Canada. 

Amanda Collinge Bae, CPA, CGA, associate vice-president of operations, innovation, and insights at Raymond James, and Selena Woo, CPA, CMA, CFP, vice-president of advisory services, associates and operations, at Nicola Wealth, discuss how they're leading the charge in advancing women's leadership. 

In this podcast episode, Mia Maki, FCPA, FCMA, shares her expertise on how CPAs can lead change management, including what to consider when creating an internal communications plan. 

CPABC's vice-president, professional development and learning, Nicola McLaren, CPA, CA, shares some key learning areas and resources to support your ESG learning journey.

In this episode, Brendon Dawson, CPA, a manager of sustainability and climate change at PwC in Vancouver, speaks to Leah Giesbrecht, a communications specialist at CPABC, about his career evolution, key challenges in ESG, and practical advice for CPAs considering a career in this space. 

EY's Vicki Corker, CPA, shares with CPABC's CEO and president Lori Mathison some of her extensive knowledge of the Canadian and global sustainability reporting landscape, with a focus on ESG.

Mitchal Derksen, CPA, CA, founder and CEO of Numu Technologies, speaks with CPABC's communications specialist, Leah Giesbrecht, about how CPAs can get started with or advance how they use AI.

In this conversation about Indigenous approaches to ESG investing, Suzanne Trottier, president of FNB Trust, and Mark Podlasly, chief sustainability officer of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, speak with Lori Mathison, FCPA, FCGA, LLB, president and CEO for CPABC, about how upfront inclusion of Indigenous values and input results in more successful, robust, and resilient initiatives, projects, and investments, as well as contributes to reconciliation and self-determination.

Paul Schmidt, CPA, CA, chief operating officer (COO) at Baker Tilly Canada speaks with Amy Lam, FCPA, FCA, executive vice-president of corporate services and CFO at CPABC, about how his role as COO allows him to support effective change management and ultimately, organizational growth. 

Justin Davis, CPA, vice president, relationship manager at Wells Fargo, speaks to Vince Kanasoot, communications specialist about his career journey and his continued love for music, which has led to him DJing and being involved in the music scene for most of his life. 

Carolyn Stern, emotional intelligence and leadership development expert, speaks with Leah Giesbrecht, communications specialist at CPABC, about how we can foster trust at work to experience the long-term benefits of building a high-trust culture.

Debra Neufeld, CPA, speaks to Leah Giesbrecht, communications specialist, CPABC, about helping to support the town of Lillooet, BC with her CPA skillset. This podcast was recorded in the spring of 2023, before the unfortunate wildfires.

Nicola McLaren, CPA, CA, vice president of professional development and learning at CPABC, speaks with Vivian Tse, director of communication at CPABC, about skills CPAs need to succeed in the remainder of 2023 and beyond.