SUPPORTING a NEW GENERATION of Cpas CPA Education Foundation the CPA Education Foundation Is the Charitable Arm of the CPA Profession in Alberta
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2018 Report to the Community SUPPORTING A NEW GENERATION OF CPAs CPA Education Foundation The CPA Education Foundation is the charitable arm of the CPA profession in Alberta. The Foundation provides accounting education opportunities and inspires and develops future Alberta CPAs. Led by a Board of Governors of dedicated Chartered Professional Accountants from around Alberta, the Foundation promotes the accounting profession by providing support to post-secondary institutions, students, accounting educators and special projects. This year the Foundation took great strides forward. From the success of No Limits, to the increase in both donors and scholarship applicants, things are looking bright for the new generation of CPAs. CONTENTS CPA EDUCATION FOUNDATION EDUCATION CPA 2 2017/18 Board of Governors 3 Message from the Executive Director 4 2018 Impact Award Recipient Makes Big Waves for the Foundation 6 Alex Tutschek Awards for Indigenous Students 2018 Report the to Community 1 8 The Future Has No Limits 11 2018 Scholarship Recipients 21 The Foundation in the Community EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Rachel Miller FCPA, FCA 28 2018 Conference For Academics EDITOR 30 Enhancing Education Through Research Kayla Panizzon CPA Education Foundation Awards CONTRIBUTORS 32 Farah Albert CPA, CA Ginny Ao 34 Thank You, Donors Chris Pilger Gordon Turtle 37 How the CPA Education Foundation Supported Business Education in 2017/18 GRAPHIC DESIGN Nathan Webb CPA Education Foundation Email: [email protected] 1900 TD Tower, 10088 – 102 Avenue Edmonton, AB CANADA T5J 2Z1 cpaalberta.ca/foundation Cover photos: Scholarship recipients over the last year. 2 2018 Report the to Community CPA EDUCATION FOUNDATION EDUCATION CPA 2017/18 BOARD OF GOVERNORS From left to right back row: Theresa Acchione CPA, CA, Brian Banderk CPA, CA, Bruce Picton CPA, CA, Doug Wylie FCPA, FCMA, Dave Bodnarchuk FCPA, FCA, Joe Gagliardi FCPA, FCMA. From left to right front row: Kabir Lalani FCPA, FCGA, Stephen Bergstrom CPA, CMA, Yvonne Barthel CPA, CA, Michael Burnyeat CPA, CA. MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR In my role with the CPA Education Foun- our events and programs grow. The CPA FOUNDATION EDUCATION CPA dation, I have had many opportunities membership, students and our donors are to observe the positive impacts that the more engaged with the Foundation than Foundation has on students, accounting ever before and this will only continue to and business education, and the profes- propel our mission and vision forward. sion itself. Looking to the year ahead, we will be ex- Those positive impacts have perhaps never panding the number and scope of awards been more evident than they were over the for deserving Alberta students and con- past year. It has been a record-breaking sider new, innovative ways to support 2018 Report the to Community year for the Foundation on so many fronts. research that advances our goals. We will 3 That is certainly the case with the success continue to strengthen the profession’s of No Limits, a Foundation initiative to en- partnerships with post-secondary busi- courage and support Indigenous Albertans ness faculties throughout the province. seeking careers in business and account- And, we will represent the very best of ing. In 2018, the Foundation co-hosted our what the CPA profession stands for—in- first-ever Indigenous Learners Gathering in tegrity, high standards, and commitment collaboration with the Aboriginal Financial to the community, all with an eye to en- Officers Association of Alberta (AFOA suring the public interest is paramount Alberta). And, our work continues with in our efforts. the AFOA Alberta, creating new pathways It is with gratitude that I thank the dedi- into management and business fields for cated members of the Foundation Board, Indigenous Albertans, as well as retention the bright individuals that make up our strategies. The No Limits initiative has had great CPA profession, and our generous a different sort of impact as well; because donors. I look forward to working with of No Limits, the Foundation has received all of you to advance the goals of the an unprecedented outpouring of support Foundation: strengthening the quality from both long-time and new donors. of, and access to, accounting education The Foundation has seen this positive in Alberta. impact expand to other elements of our work. We have also seen our scholarship Sincerely, applications and student participation in Rachel Miller FCPA, FCA 2018 IMPACT AWARD RECIPIENT MAKES BIG WAVES FOR THE FOUNDATION The CPA Education Foundation is proud During his two years as Chair, Alex devot- to announce Alex Tutschek FCPA, FCA as the ed hundreds of hours to the work of the recipient of the Foundation’s 2018 Impact Foundation. His term as Chair coincided Award. Each year, the Foundation has the with the unification of the accounting honour of presenting the Impact Award to profession and the subsequent creation an individual for his or her contributions to of the Foundation in its current form. This the mission and vision of the CPA Educa- required bringing together the charitable tion Foundation. It is fair to say that Alex and education-related work of three legacy has made some big waves when it comes bodies—a task that Alex approached with to benefiting the Foundation. a strategic vision, strong leadership skills, and personal commitment. Alex has been one of the Foundation’s most 4 significant supporters over the last decade. His contributions to the Foundation also Whether as a Board member, a donor, a include something less tangible: his time. 2018 Report the to Community volunteer, a mentor, or an advocate, Alex Alex contributed countless hours before, has exemplified what the Foundation stands during and after his time on the Foundation for—commitment to education, to the pro- Board, always making himself available to fession, and to the community. talk about the Foundation with students, donors, CPAs, post-secondary representa- Alex breathed life into the Foundation’s No tives, and other Foundation stakeholders. Limits initiative with a generous donation, Alex’s gift of time has been perhaps as which created five annual scholarships for impactful as his financial gifts. CPA EDUCATION FOUNDATION EDUCATION CPA Indigenous Albertans. Just as importantly, his generosity inspired others to donate to Alex has been a leading force in making the initiative. He lent his name, image and the Foundation an intrinsic part of the CPA personal thoughts to a fundraising cam- landscape across Alberta and we are proud paign that caught the attention of CPAs to present him with the 2018 Impact Award. across the province, which led to many On the following pages you will see just CPAs making their first-ever donations to how valuable Alex’s contributions to the the Foundation. Foundation have been. Each smiling face represents a student that Alex has helped bring a little closer to their dreams of be- coming a CPA. CPA EDUCATION FOUNDATION EDUCATION CPA 2018 Report the to Community 5 ALEX TUTSCHEK FCPA, FCA Alex Tutschek FCPA, FCA, the recipient of the 2018 CPA Education Foundation Impact Award, is known for his dedication to the Foundation, strategic vision, and generous heart. His support spans many years as he saw the Foundation through the significant change in the profession and, later, was a leading donor to the No Limits campaign—a cause he continues to champion. ALEX TUTSCHEK AWARDS FOR INDIGENOUS STUDENTS Melissa Bidniak Austin Vandal Alissa Poulin Alex Tutschek FCPA, FCA Alex Tutschek FCPA, FCA Alex Tutschek FCPA, FCA Award for Indigenous Award for Indigenous Award for Indigenous Student Post-secondary Student Post-secondary Student Post-secondary Achievement Achievement Achievement Melissa has her eyes set on a CPA Austin was extremely humbled to be For some, spending the last six years designation in her future. As she recognized by the CPA Education completing their post-secondary completes her post-secondary education, Foundation for academic achievement. education can be taxing; but for Alissa, she plans on earning her CPA through For him, all of his hard work and efforts this is a challenge she is conquering. With the Masters of Professional Accounting were legitimized when he received this a full-time job and attending school part- (MPAcc) program, which starts in May award. It also solidified his passion for the time, she has worked extremely hard to 2019. Highly motivated to achieve CPA profession. It has shown Austin that get where she is today. Receiving the Alex her goals, Melissa eventually wants to his dedication to his accounting career Tutschek FCPA, FCA Award for Indigenous teach in the accounting field to educate has produced real results. Student Post-secondary Achievement and mentor aspiring CPAs. This award shows Alissa that hard work pays off and As a third-year accounting student at reassures her that the profession she is worthwhile. the University of Lethbridge, Austin 6 plans on joining equally values student is close to eventually earning his CPA Alissa is the type of student who takes full 2018 Report the to Community engagement. designation. In his time at university, he ownership of her education. She shows Melissa has drive and amazing leadership has realized the benefits of extracurricular maturity in the classroom and never takes abilities. She does not shy away from activities and has enrolled himself into a learning opportunity for granted; it helping a fellow student struggling with the Integrated Management Experience shows in