William [Bill] Johnson, FCPA, FCGA

A Lifetime Dedicated to Helping Students 

William [Bill] Johnson, FCIS, FCCA, CPA, FCGA, is Director, Education with the Certified General Accountants Association of BC, in Vancouver, where he has been employed since 1980. In his current role, he is responsible for the administration of student admissions and enrolments and the delivery of the CGA program to nearly 5,000 students in BC and the Yukon. 

He previously served as Director of Administration, responsible for the control of all financial affairs of the Association, administration of all office and computer facilities, administration of the Association’s ethics, bylaws and government relations programs. He also held the positions of Education Administrator and Director of Admissions with responsibilities for the admissions and evaluation programs and the coordination of all student recruitment programs throughout the province.

Of course, these are merely lines drawn from a résumé full of career milestones, successes and achievements. To get a better sense of his personal story and his professional experience, Connections sat down with Bill and asked him to shares some of the lessons he learned during his rich career. 

Connections: You received your CGA designation in 1974 and you were also awarded the Barbeau Medal for having achieved the highest marks in Tax1 and Tax2. Can you share some of the secrets behind your academic success?
Bill Johnson: Actually, I would be the first to admit that prior to enrolling in the CGA program I was somewhat of an unfocused student. I had been working for several years before I enrolled in the Program and had a strong desire to advance my career. I was also married and I think both these factors were integral in how I approached my studies and how focused I was to excel. I quickly realized that the CGA would help my career progression. 

Why did you pursue studies in accounting?
Early in my career it was actually the farthest thing from my mind. I recall at time when my uncle said: “Why don’t you become an accountant?” Let’s just say that my reaction was not exactly positive. My first job was with the Bank of Montreal and at the time I remember coming to the rapid conclusion that I didn’t want to be in an office. I later worked as a surveyor, then I travelled for a while, and then got married. Let me tell you: Marriage focuses your sense of responsibility. 

So what happened next?
I returned to working the financial sector and it was while I was working in the stock transfer office of Yorkshire Trust that a colleague suggested I pursue my CGA designation. At this point in my life—and in my career—I was intrigued. I enrolled and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

At that time, did you have an idea of how you wanted to manage your career?
Not really. I focused more on wanting specific things in the jobs I had, and then I would look for jobs that met those criteria, changing when they didn’t meet my expectations. It all worked out for me because I landed at CGA-BC and I have truly enjoyed my career. Nevertheless, I think it’s important to note that my experience should not serve as an endorsement of such an improvised approach to career planning and management. I really believe strongly that you have to look after your life and create your own opportunities for career advancement. And having a plan is very important.

What helped you during your career?
There are several, but I think this can vary from one person to the next. For instance, I was always willing to relocate for work in the early stages of my career. This created many opportunities for me. I worked on the Island, in Chemainus, then later in Powell River before moving back to Vancouver. Of course, that’s not always an option for everybody because you have to consider family situations. 

What other activities or strategies did you rely on?
There are lots of things you can do to improve your career prospects. A commitment to continuous improvement is very important. This can take several forms, including higher education or even skills development. For instance, I joined Toastmasters early in my career and this helped be with my communications skills. 

Did you have a mentor?
No, not really, although there were many colleagues who helped me a lot along the way. But this does bring up an important element of career management: networking. I benefited from volunteering, which helped me make important connections in addition to providing some intrinsic personal fulfillment. 

Is there anything you would have done differently?
Not much. I really love my work. Naturally, in every job there are ebbs and flows in terms of job satisfaction but the key is to find what you like, not what you think you should like or caring about what others think. There is tremendous value in living with no regrets.

Can you share one piece of wisdom about that has helped you in your career?
Just one? That’s impossible. Here are a few off the top of my head. Connections matter. Meet people and develop relationships. Education also matters so never stop learning. Culture matters too. Think about your desired work environment because it can have an important influence on your happiness. Timing also matters.  It can play a big part in your success but remember that it is also partly within your control because you dictate where you are and how open you are to opportunities. Finally, remember that everyone is responsible for their own career. You have to manage it because nobody else will do it for you.

What professional achievements are you most pleased about?
I am most pleased about my work at CGA. It’s a place where I have been able to make a difference, to help people with their careers. My career has been rewarding because I have always been motivated to help students graduate and achieve success.

This article has been adapted from a piece that originally appeared in the March 2015 issue of Connections, the CGA-BC student newsletter.

In September 2015, the CGA-BC Educational Foundation joined forces with UBC’s Sauder School of Business to establish an endowment fund for the CPABC Bill Johnson-UBC DAP Student Achievement Award.