In the 10 years since the proclamation of the Chartered Professional Accountants Act, the CPA profession has successfully built on the proud and long-standing legacies of the three accounting bodies that preceded it.
Central to this progress has been a continued commitment to protecting the public interest, which is woven into our regulations, educational programs, support services, and communications.
The following milestones and programs reached and established over the past decade have positioned the profession well for the future, safeguarding our legacy of high ethical standards and integrity, and ensuring the public’s trust in the skills and competence of our members.
1 Unification of accounting bodies
The three legacy accounting bodies (CA, CGA, and CMA) merged to establish the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC). This created a single regulator for all professional accountants, making it easier for the public and ensuring that all professional accountants in BC meet the same regulatory standards.
2 CPA Financial Literacy Program
This award-winning program gives participants the knowledge and confidence needed to make smart financial choices and accomplish their life goals. CPA volunteers deliver free, unbiased, and objective financial education to British Columbians of all ages.
3 CPA Education Foundation
Through the foundation, CPAs support the next generation of professional accountants. Awards and funding are available for individuals who demonstrate academic excellence and for those in financial need. The foundation helps ensure the accessibility of the designation for qualified candidates.
4 Indigenous engagement
CPABC is committed to making the accounting profession more attractive and accessible to Indigenous individuals. It is also committed to supporting Indigenous candidates, students, and prospects who enter the profession, including through the Indigenous Learners in Accounting Initiative offered by the CPA Western School of Business.
5 Thought leadership
We continue to publish our BC Check-Up reports and surveys to provide CPAs, the provincial government, and the public with timely information on the economy, the labour market, and the investment climate in BC and its development regions. This information often underpins CPABC’s provincial budget recommendations to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.
6 Remote access for regulation and services
CPABC adapted to the pandemic by shifting to remote operations swiftly and effectively, which ensured the ongoing protection of the public interest during lockdown by providing regulation, professional development, and other critical member supports through online platforms. This work laid the foundation for ongoing and enhanced remote access.
7 New CPA Competency Map and CPA Certification Model
The profession reimagined the skills and competencies needed to equip new CPAs for the future to create a new map that is evergreen. The new CPA Competency Map reflects the changing landscape of the accounting profession and new workplace expectations and requirements. A new CPA Certification Model was approved that will continue to meet the profession’s high standards while preparing learners for the future.
8 Enhanced member networking and career development
Through our engagement efforts, CPABC continues to find new ways to bring members together. Chapter networks, forums, and our PD program all provide growth and development opportunities that reinforce our members’ ongoing responsibility to protect the public interest.
9 CPABC’s membership surpassed 40,000 in 2024
This milestone made CPABC one of the largest CPA bodies in Canada and one of the largest professional bodies in British Columbia. Our members are the CPA profession and represent us in communities across BC, thereby contributing to the economic and philanthropic fabric of the province. Ensuring that there are enough regulated accountants to meet the demands of BC’s economy and the financial and capital markets helps create a stable and well-regulated financial system.
10 Full implementation of the Cullen Commission’s AML recommendations
CPABC addressed all 10 of the anti-money laundering (AML) recommendations from the final Cullen Commission report. The CPA profession actively endorses AML initiatives and supports the idea of adding more enforcement and educational tools to strengthen the protection of the public.
This content was originally published as an infographic in the March/April 2025 issue of CPABC in Focus.
