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On this episode, Jean-Sébastien Charest, chief information officer at the Business Development Bank of Canada discusses Canada’s productivity crisis. Canada’s labour productivity, which is measured by the real gross domestic product (GDP) by hours worked across the economy, has been compared with the United States and other advanced economies, and Canada is lagging behind. Charest believes one key factor to Canada’s falling productivity is the underinvestment in new technologies, particularly the hesitance of Canadian businesses to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), especially among small and medium enterprises where AI adoption is slowest. Canada is ranked 20th among 35 OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries in AI adoption, so Charest outlines a practical “three horizon” strategy for AI integration to help these Canadian SMEs catch up. This episode is a useful resource for any entrepreneur, business leader or professional looking to boost revenue and cut costs. Listen now to learn how AI can help close Canada’s productivity gap and its role as a transformative tool in reshaping the country’s businesses and economy.

We are continuing our conversation on Generative AI, often referred to as Gen AI, with Cathy Cobey, FCPA, global responsible AI co-lead at EY, to explore the potential risks that come with introducing this new technology to the accounting profession. Cobey brings extensive experience working on the ethics and control implications of AI and other autonomous systems. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the capabilities and limitations of Gen AI and how it falls to the CPA to ensure the origin, accuracy and reliability of the data and information, while also advocating for robust governance and transparency surrounding the use of this technology. Episode 2 also touches on the evolving regulatory standards regarding AI in auditing and financial statement preparation. Cobey concludes with a realistic yet optimistic outlook on AI's role in accounting, stressing the importance of trust and control mechanisms in adopting and leveraging this technology effectively. Listen now to learn some valuable insights on navigating the new dynamics of AI as a CPA. To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit: Foresight: The CPA Podcast CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative CPA Canada English CPA Canada (Français) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.

We’re kicking off season six with Sree Balakrishnan, partner at Deloitte Canada, and Zohaib Akhtar, senior manager on Deloitte’s Omnia AI team, as we explore how the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be shaped by the evolution and adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI). Our guests bring their extensive experience working with CFOs and finance professionals to the table to discuss how Gen AI is moving beyond mere automation to become a strategic partner in enhancing productivity, controlling costs, and driving revenue growth. Balakrishnan and Akhtar discuss Deloitte's latest findings, which highlight that an overwhelming 94% of companies are betting on AI for their success strategies. They discuss the way businesses can continue to embrace innovation and maintain control in the financial sector. Listen now as they peer into the future and imagine a world where the role of the CFO expands beyond finance and describe how CPAs can update their skills to help capitalize on the adoption of Gen AI. To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit: Foresight: The CPA Podcast CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative CPA Canada English CPA Canada (Français) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.

On this episode, Shreya Verma Mair, CPA, senior associate at ESG Global Advisors discusses the launch of the new International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) sustainability disclosure standards and their impact on sustainability reporting. While for many, this is seen as a major and unsettling shift in the way we manage reporting standards that may cause panic, Verma Mair says this is an opportunity for CPAs – if they’re prepared. Verma Mair believes that it is imperative for CPAs to get up to speed with ESG insights and scenario modelling to understand how climate risks can impact company value. As companies are required to merge sustainability reporting with their financial disclosures, it will be up to CPAs to lead that charge and work with other professions like actuaries and engineers to better quantify climate-related risks. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada. To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit: Foresight: The CPA Podcast CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative CPA Canada English CPA Canada (Français)

On this episode, Annie Veillet, the national Intelligent Automation practice leader at PwC Canada dives into the rise of generative AI and what it means for the accounting profession. Will these tools replace CPAs? Veillet doesn’t believe so. Hear her thoughts as she discusses how these tools are being used internally at PwC, as well as addressing the very real concern about the reliability of generative AI. Veillet envisions a future where the relationship between AI and humans is collaborative: generative AI can take a larger role in financial analysis and auditing, but it will always require human oversight to authenticate data outputs. With that legwork done, CPAs will have an opportunity to utilize that data to provide additional insights and have more informed conversations with stakeholders. To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit: Foresight: The CPA Podcast CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative CPA Canada English CPA Canada (Français) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.

In May 2021, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) produced a study called Ground-breakers: Gen Z and the future of accountancy . The study suggests the future of accounting is no longer in the hands of baby boomers and gen-Xers. Millennials have stepped into leadership roles and a new generation with a distinct perspective on the profession is entering the workforce. Generation Z, born after 1996, are digital natives who have never experienced a world without the internet and are starting their careers when remote work is the norm. Gen Z signals a societal shift that will influence the evolution of the accounting profession over the next decade. This episode features a panel with three unique perspectives to help understand this shift: Charlotte Hamilton, CPA, senior consultant at EY Canada; Murjanat "MJ" Dambatta, CPA, an assistant controller at Oliver and Bonacini Hospitality; and Safia Rahemtulla, CPA, CA, CIA, C3PRMP, an associate partner at EY Canada. They delve into the aspirations and expectations of Gen Z professionals, shedding light on their motivations. Ground-breakers: Gen Z and the future of accountancy  To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit: Foresight: The CPA Podcast CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative CPA Canada English CPA Canada (Français) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.

Liane Davey, PhD., and author of ‘The Good Fight’, distinguishes healthy and unhealthy workplace conflict and how CPAs can cultivate an environment that encourages collaboration. On this episode, renowned team effectiveness advisor and author of The Good Fight , Liane Davey, PhD., discusses how to manage problems in a workplace arising from individuals with polarized views. Bringing people together around common goals and bridging the gaps between various parts of an organization is integral to the modern CPA’s role; the CPA Competency Map 2.0 identifies conflict management as a key competency in the foundational common core. With that in mind, this episode digs into the skills CPAs need to master to successfully navigate this developing and emerging issue. Listen now to deepen your understanding of how effective conflict navigation and communication can not only become a crucial part of your role, but also a driver of your success in an increasingly polarized world. Highlights of SHRM 2022 Politics at Work Study Eurasia Group’s Top Risks of 2023 3 Strategies to Address Political Polarization in the Workplace CPA Canada Competency Map 2.0 To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit: Foresight: The CPA Podcast CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative CPA Canada English CPA Canada (Français) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.

Jan Taylor, CPA, PhD, addresses a growing movement in the United States to have accounting considered as a STEM field and its potential impact on attracting new talent into the profession. On this episode, Jan Taylor, CPA, PhD, academic in residence and senior director of academic and student engagement at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA), passionately advocates for the inclusion of accounting within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. She underscores how the profession has evolved from its traditional number-crunching origins into a field where technology and innovation hold centre stage. Jan outlines the multifaceted benefits that would accompany the recognition of accounting as a STEM discipline. This transition, she explains, could render accounting more attractive to a wider array of prospective students. "We are not counting beans anymore," Jan asserts, underlining how this acknowledgment would help dispel enduring stereotypes about the profession. She also reveals that contemporary accounting programs are already deeply immersed in areas such as data analytics, IT auditing, blockchain and cybersecurity. Jan convincingly argues that the move to formally recognize accounting as a STEM field is not so much about instigating change, but rather aligning with the already transformed reality of the profession. 7 Reasons why accounting should join other tech professions as a STEM field AICPA To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit: Foresight: The CPA Podcast CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative CPA Canada English CPA Canada (Français) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.

We’re kicking off season five with Kevin Kolliniatis, CPA, the national technology leader for KPMG in Canada’s audit and assurance practice. Kevin has been instrumental in KPMG’s transition towards continuous auditing. This emerging aspect of accounting can be described as a transformative shift from traditional practices. It’s characterized by a continuous flow of client information that is analyzed, monitored and flagged for exceptions in real time. Kevin highlights numerous benefits of continuous auditing, including: · Real-time transaction monitoring: instant data analysis, detecting potential issues as they emerge rather than adhering to a set audit timeline · Proactive response to anomalies: swift responses to irregularities, such as transactions exceeding set tolerance limits, and can potentially prevent fraudulent activities · Impact on business operations and customer relations: enhance customer trust and satisfaction by streamlining overall operations helping to prevent issues like double billing · Comprehensive transaction coverage: covering 100 per cent of transactions, leading to more detailed audits and facilitating improved client communication Listen in as we unpack the developing concept of continuous auditing. Advanced Data Management Certificate Program: Advanced Data Management Certificate ProgramTo learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit: Foresight: The CPA Podcast CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative CPA Canada English CPA Canada (Français) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.

Jerome Dwight, CPA, the co-founder and CEO of BoomerangFX, a tech company aimed at private health-care providers shares his perspective on the possibilities that can arise with an unsettled economy.

On this episode, Chris Dulny, CPA, chief digital data and innovation Officer at PWC Canada, discusses his deep concern that in tough economic times, Canadian businesses will prioritize short-term goals over long-term innovation strategies and potentially stifle their ability to adapt and thrive in the long run.

What keeps Priyanka Lloyd, Executive Director of Green Economy Canada, up at night is the challenge of encouraging 1.2 million businesses in Canada to take meaningful steps to reduce emissions. She believes that this will make them stronger and better equipped to navigate an unpredictable future.