60 Years of Excellence in British Columbia 1951-2011 Meet the academics who are B.C.’s newest CGAs Vol. 38 / No. 2 • SUMMER / 2011 A PUBLICATION OF THE CERTIFIED GENERAL ACCOUNTANTS ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA THE CASE FOR THE CGA-BC solicits expert opinions on the benefits HSTof keeping the Harmonized Sales Tax in place 40069088 05 38 34 Vol. 38 / No. 2 • SUMMER / 2011 features views spotlight 16 Something new, 07 taxmatters 05 CGA-BCarchives Something old How to access information Significant moments in the from the CRA – and pay Association’s history Michael Kane explores what’s at stake in your outstanding tax debts B.C.’s HST referendum 31 keepingTabs 09 techview CGAs in the news and Alan Salmon offers the members on the move inside scoop on cloud computing 32 currentAssets contents A round-up of all the latest 19 why CGA-BC supports 12 periscope gadgets, technical gear Learn how a whole-brain and apps the hst approach can help you in all The significant benefits of a single value- facets of your life 2011 Quarter added tax 34 Century Club 14 ethics in focus CGA-BC celebrates the 20 the tax impact of the Evaluating an ethical achievements and contribu- hst on investment and dilemma tions of more than 200 CGAs competitiveness publicpractice Jack Mintz outlines the impact on the 28 36 partingShot provincial economy if the HST is replaced Edifier A Q&A with Shanalisa Keller, The evolution of accounting CGA, Financial Controller 25 CGA plus phD makes a standards in Canada at Quicktech Computer powerful combination Consulting Meet the academics who are B.C.’s newest morethanNumbers CGAs 38 Letting the data tell the story 06 ceoupdate an update on the CiC a and CMa Merger Discussion An update from Gordon Ruth, FCGA, CEO outlook 03 2011 IT Forum. The future is yesterday. Are you on board? editor’smessage outlook CGA-BCarchives Since 1951, the CGA designation in B.C. has grown more prestigious and CGA-BC’s members have become ever more successful and influential. To celebrate the Association’s diamond anniversary, Outlook is featuring executive committee important moments in the Association’s history as a way to pay tribute to the thousands of members who Chair: Bruce Hurst, FCGA have come before and to inspire the untold number of B.C. CGAs yet to come. Past-Chair/Treasurer: John Pankratz, FCGA First Vice-Chair: Cindy Choi, CGA Chief Executive Officer and Secretary: Gordon Ruth, FCGA executive staff Chief Executive Officer: Gordon Ruth, FCGA Director, Administration, HR & IT: Dan Cheetham, CGA Director of Marketing & Communications: Edward Downing, MA (Journalism) > Few would have anticipated that ing class of 1986, the year that Director of Education & Student Services: A CGA PIONEER the introduction of a tax that Gordon Campbell became mayor W. D. (Bill) Johnson, FCIS, PAdm, FCGA Antoinette B. (Toni) Paradis (1906-1986) economists hail as an economy of Vancouver and Bill Vander Zalm Director of Corporate Affairs: Juliana Laing, BA saver would get the reaction of was chosen as leader of the B.C. Director of Public Practice Services & Public Practice Advisor: On April 18, 1951, the provincial legislature the 21st century equivalent of the Social Credit party. Those two Tina Peters, BA, CGA enacted Bill 61, which had passed its third Boston Tea Party. But as we head individuals went on to play an Director of Member Services: Pamela Skinner, BSc, CFP, CGA reading one week earlier. It stated that the 15 men “and such other persons as 1951 1982 1991 to the June/July HST referendum, important, if not at times contro- outlook staff it really is anyone’s guess how the versial, role in the province. Still Managing Editor: Edward Downing (604) 730-6208 1999 2009 story will play out and whether their tenure demonstrates the Communications Manager: Patrick Schryburt (604) 730-6238 The business world moves quickly and technological change is a fact of life. CGA-BC’s the province will keep the HST incredible change that B.C. has Communications Officer: David Ferman (604) 730-6206 2011 IT Forum will feature technology workshops that can provide you with practical or return to the combination of undergone in the past 25 years Production Co-ordinator: Trevor Hargreaves (604) 730-6226 IT information, technological expertise and the social media tools you require to take the old GST and PST. Some polls and the backdrop to the world Advertising Co-ordinator: Pardeep Clair (604) 730-6228 your career or business to the next level. suggest that the tax is in trouble, the 216 graduating CGAs in 1986 Graphic Design: For more information or to register, visit: www.cga-bc.org/pd while others indicate that the tax helped shape. Core Associates Communication Design Inc. Regular Contributors: may get through. Our regular features include Ed Kroft, QC, LLB, LLM, CGA (Hon.); CGA-BC joined forces with CGA-Canada scription of CGAs and what differentiates Dr. Michael McDonald, CGA (Hon.); Alan Salmon. and all of the provincial CGA affiliates to them in the marketplace. Surveys show advertising create a new branding campaign, which that CGAs are well-recognized in B.C. and Taxing times For advertising rates, contact Pardeep Clair at was launched in 2009. This innovative across Canada and they have never been (604) 730-6228 or visit our website at www.cga-bc.org. campaign is built around the tagline ‘We more highly valued for their expertise and This issue of Outlook focuses an article on cloud computing, Outlook is the premier way to contact B.C.’s CGAs. see more than numbers,’ a confident de- integrity. on the tax and demonstrates just which, according to tech guru Advertising in Outlook magazine does not indicate an how important it is to making our Alan Salmon, is sure to change endorsement of any business, organization, service or product by CGA-BC. economy more competitive. Still, the face of computing and the CONFERENCE MEMORIES a program of more than 20 profes- Twenty-five years ago, mem- sional development seminars, the in the great tradition of democ- way that many organizations Outlook is published four times a year by the Certified bers from around the province longest-running accounting trade racy, all British Columbians will operate. And Ed Kroft provides General Accountants Association of British Columbia and gathered at the Westin Bay- show in Western Canada, and an have a chance to decide the fate some practical insight into how is sent to nearly 15,000 CGA members and CGA students. shore Hotel in Vancouver for awards banquet and gala. If you of the tax and by the next issue to access information online from Opinions expressed are not necessarily endorsed by CGA-BC. may hereafter become members of the CGA-BC’s first annual member want to know who this year’s this debate will likely be just a the CRA and how to make pay- Copyright CGA-BC 2011. Association, are hereby constituted a body conference. The 2011 confer- award winners are, you will have memory. ments on outstanding debts. articles, enquiries and letters politic and corporate under the name of ence will feature the Associa- to be in Victoria from September Speaking of memories, take a Remember, Outlook is your Articles, enquiries and letters should be sent to Outlook: ‘The Certified General Accountants’ As- tion’s annual general meeting, 21-25 to find out. look at our special coverage of magazine. If you have ideas or CGA-BC, 300-1867 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6J 5L4 sociation of British Columbia’ (hereinafter the 2011 Quarter Century Club. suggestions for articles, please (604) 732-1211 or (800) 565-1211 called the ‘Association’).” You are bound to spot more than drop us a line via email or regular ISSN 1488-2337 Outlook - Certified General Accountants “Other persons hereafter” would soon a few familiar faces as we provide mail. We are waiting to hear from Association of British Columbia refer to women as much as to men, as photo coverage of the graduat- you. Antoinette Paradis was the first woman CGA on the web to become a CGA in B.C. She served as Members and students, you can find all of your most assistant to the Executive Secretary from important CGA-BC services online at www.cga-bc.org. 1951-1961 and was the first female Fellow in 1970. THE EVOLUTION OF THE CGA BRAND Fashion changes, and styles come and go. Agreement no. 40069088 While the three letters after every mem- Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: ber’s name have not changed in 60 years, edward Downing is CGA-BC’s Director of Communications CGA-BC, 300-1867 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6J 5L4 the graphical representation of those [email protected] Printed in Canada letters has evolved over time. In 2008, Award winners at 1986 Conference 04 outlook outlook 05 Ed Kroft, QC, LLB, LLM, CGA (Hon.) ceoupdate taxmatters > Dear colleagues: ment that CGA withdraw its support for gate that risk, as well as reduce confusion ecent postings on page on the CRA website the cRA encour- concern your taxes), the Agreement on Internal Trade [AIT]) over introducing a fourth designation in the Canada Rev- describes how to access this • if you are representing It has been a month since the Canadian were not acceptable to CGA, discussions the marketplace. However, the Institute enue Agency (CRA) and other types of informa- ages individuals, someone else or an organi- Institute of Chartered Accountants and did not proceed. We did offer to explore felt tagging for a 10-year minimum Rwebsite prompted tion by using “My Account” zation, their name, the Society of Management Accountants other alternatives, but the CAs and CMAs period was required for their members to me to write about two top- or “My Business Account,” or businesses and • the return address where of Canada announced their intention to rejected those overtures and terminated support this process.