CPABC Indigenous Engagement
Building for a More Inclusive Future
CPABC is committed to making the accounting profession more attractive and accessible to Indigenous individuals, and to supporting Indigenous candidates, students, and prospects who enter the profession.
As CPABC is the only regulator and educator of professional accountants in the province, part of our core mandate is to deliver sufficient and appropriately skilled CPAs to meet market demand—now and in the future. In support of this goal, we are continually working to enhance the attractiveness and accessibility of the profession to appeal to our diverse society.
A Priority for the Profession
Indigenous Peoples are underrepresented in the CPA profession. We asked our members to voluntarily self-identify their Indigenous heritage, and while Indigenous Peoples represent almost 6% of BC’s population, less than 0.5% of CPABC’s membership and just over 1% of candidates and students self-declared as Indigenous.
Increasing Indigenous representation in the profession has been a priority for CPABC since its inception. And it’s a goal that aligns with the policy direction of the BC government; in November 2019, British Columbia became the first jurisdiction in Canada to pass legislation that brought provincial laws in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Strategy and Guiding Principles
To support the goal of increasing Indigenous representation in the profession, CPABC has a strategy in collaboration with relevant partners. This strategy is built on the following guiding principles:
- Inclusive of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit
- Built upon respectful and trusting relationships
- Indigenous participation and inclusion in developing the plan
- Collaboration and partnerships
- Learn, unlearn, and relearn
Our strategy is built on the core principle that CPABC protects the public by ensuring that the skills of a CPA are accessible to all communities and that the CPA membership should reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
Our Goals
Our long-term goal is to increase the number of Indigenous students obtaining their CPA. The short and medium-term goals in support of our strategy include:
- Raising awareness and excitement among Indigenous students of the value of going into business and finance;
- Raising awareness among Indigenous students of the value of earning a CPA designation; and
- Collaborating with Indigenous communities to demonstrate a CPA’s value in building financial management capacity and in strengthening governance processes overall.
Collaboration and Consultation
Collaboration and consultation are top of mind in our work. CPABC has signed a memorandum of understanding with AFOA BC, stating that we will support each other in increasing financial awareness and paths to the profession for Indigenous Peoples and communities. We are also collaborating with CPA Canada and partnering with other organizations such as the Métis Nation of BC, the First Nations Financial Management Board, and post-secondary institutions in BC, as well as with our members, candidates, and students as we develop and pilot initiatives to further this work.
The Way Forward
To enhance the attractiveness of the profession to Indigenous people, CPABC is conducting research, consultation, and pilot projects focused on building awareness of the value of the CPA designation. We want to support Indigenous candidates, students, and prospects. With our partners across Canada, we need to rethink barriers and accessibility as we examine the profession’s role vis-a-vis UNDRIP, the Truth & Reconciliation Commission, and the national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
CPABC’s Board of Directors enthusiastically supports these efforts and they’re working with us to determine how the CPA profession can have a positive impact for generations to come.
Contact Our Indigenous Engagement Team
CPABC is committed to increasing Indigenous representation in the profession and is happy to connect with you and your community. We are open to collaboration.
Events, Updates & Announcements
- Event Recap: Gathering our Voices 2024 – March 20-21, 2024
- Event Recap: TFAB Indigenous Networking Event - February 29, 2024
- Indigenous Economic Development Conference – March 7-9, 2023
- Indigenous Gathering on Pathways in Business Event – November 9, 2022
- CPABC Hosts Event to Discuss Pathways in Business – October 14, 2021
- CPABC and AFOA BC Sign MOU
Articles & Resources
- CPABC's Indigenous strategy: Progress update (bccpa.ca)
- Indigenous knowledge and practices essential to ESG, expert says (bccpa.ca)
- In Sympathy and Solidarity
- CPABC's Indigenous Strategy
- Introduction to Indigenous People’s Cultures (on-demand 1 hr webinar)
- How Indigenous communities are regaining economic independence
CPAs in Focus
Scott Munro, FCPA, FCA
Deputy CEO, First Nations Financial Management Board
Kamana Bikadi, CPA
Trust Officer, FNB Trust
Kamana- Video
Joshua Buffalo, CPA
Kits Eyecare Ltd.
Financial Reporting Analyst
Diversity at CPABC
CPABC's Indigenous Engagement Strategy: Progress update
How a CPA is restoring Chinatown’s vibrancy in Vancouver
Allyship and action: Advancing EDI in the workplace
Leaving their signature: How FCPAs have contributed to the profession
ESG: What do I need to learn as a CPA?
Beyond polarization: Why we need a new approach to ESG
Sustainability reporting: Answers to member FAQs
The gender wage gap still exists—but here’s how CPAs can help drive change
Indigenous involvement and values are key to ESG investing
Investing in ESG capacity building
Order out of chaos
Indigenous knowledge and practices essential to ESG, expert says
Do LGBTQ2SIA+ accountants feel welcome at Canadian accounting firms?
How CPAs can guard against greenwashing and ESG fraud
FMB approved as first Indigenous CPA Pre-approved Training Office in B.C.
Beyond ESG: The ESG movement is missing something and it’s not what you expect
Toward a global baseline of sustainability reporting: Movement gaining momentum
Unicorn leader: Michael Pickup, FCPA, FCA
CPABC's Indigenous strategy: Progress update
CPABC: B.C.’s Budget 2023 Aims to Boost Housing Supply
Connections with Black colleagues have far-reaching impacts
A look at the federal underused housing tax
How to stand out in your next job interview as a CPA
Key drivers of global ESG adoption
Sustainability: The strategic imperative
CPABC: Despite growing economic challenges, BC’s labour market remains tight
As CPAs we need to think past the numbers in decision making
ESG: Small businesses can make a big impact
Work-life balance preferred over big salaries, CPAs say
‘My heritage has deeply influenced my career’
Insights in working with Indigenous businesses
Why companies care about ESG
The program that led an Indigenous trailblazer to her dream career
The importance of having an ESG strategy
Why ESG matters for CPAs
CPABC: Prince George’s Stan Mitchell honoured with fellowship designation
Doughnut Economics and the push for regenerative, distributive systems
Understanding the need for an ESG strategy
Vancouver CPA shares his time—and his wonder dog—with those in need
CPABC’s Indigenous strategy
Bringing racial diversity to corporate Canada
How KPMG’s “1,000 Acts of Kindness” has inspired employees and lifted communities
ESG practices build organizational resiliency in BC’s mining industry
The face of governance is changing
Accelerate - Turn the table on climate change
CPABC and AFOA BC Collaborate to Build Capacity in First Nations Financial Management and Government
Semios: Solving agriculture’s challenges with smart tech and sustainability
Article uses tech and data mindset to disrupt furniture retail industry
Communicating for the win: An interview with Pamela Lee
BC tax incentives for the technology and entertainment sectors
We invite you to participate with our organization. Your input is crucial as we work towards shaping a profession that truly reflects the values and diversity of our society.
Connect with us to bring a tailored financial education session to your community.
CPAWSB and AFOA Collaborate on Tailored CPA Certification Program Offerings.
Connect with us to bring a tailored career workshop to your Indigenous community.