CGA-Canada Awards Highest Honour

VANCOUVER, Oct. 28 /CNW/ - The Certified General Accountants Association of Canada (CGA-Canada) is pleased to announce the John Leslie award recipient for 2010 - Pierre Barnès, FCGA of Montreal, Quebec.

"Pierre's commitment and dedication to the accounting profession and his personal philosophy of giving back to society has earned him great respect as a business leader and individual," says Anthony Ariganello, President and CEO of CGA-Canada. "He continues to represent the CGA designation with pride and professionalism and is well worthy of this distinguished award."

Mr. Barnès has been an instrumental global ambassador of the accounting profession and CGA designation. He was elected president of the Ordre des CGA du Quebec in 1997 and developed the Ordre's first strategic plan. He also became an executive member of Interamerican Accounting Association (IAA) and in 2007, became the first CGA to be elected IAA president. 

"I am thrilled to be nominated by my peers and recognised as this years' John Leslie award winner," says Mr. Barnès. "I firmly believe this is the highest honour that a CGA can be granted. I am proud of my designation and will continue to support the association any way I can."

Mr. Barnès joined the Ordre des CGA du Quebéc in 1973 and received his fellowship designation (FCGA) in 1990. He also obtained his fellow designation from the Institute of Canadian Bankers in 1967. Mr. Barnès has had an extensive career in the financial sector with various institutions, starting out as a clerk and working up the ranks to becoming CEO of Credit Industriel Desjardins, CEO of Societé d'Investissement Desjardins and ending as CEO Société Immobilière Desjardins and Place Desjardins.

The John Leslie Award was established in 1988 to honour CGA-Canada's founder and first president. It is awarded to CGAs who have achieved national recognition for outstanding, business endeavour, public service, charitable involvement, humanitarian acts, outstanding artistic achievement or special achievement in overcoming physical adversity.    

For more information on Mr. Barnès, please visit: http://www.cgamagazine-digital.com/cgamagazine/20100910#pg46

ABOUT CGA-CANADA
Founded in 1908, the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada serves 75,000 Certified General Accountants and students in Canada and more than 90 countries. Respected accounting and financial management professionals, CGAs work in industry, finance, government and public practice. CGA-Canada establishes the designation's certification requirements and professional standards, offers professional development, conducts research and advocacy, and represents CGAs nationally and internationally.

For more information on CGA-Canada visit:
www.cga.org/canada
www.facebook.com/cgacanada
www.twitter.com/cgacanada

For further information:

Taylore Ashlie      
Director, Communications     
CGA-Canada  
Telephone: [phone]     
Cellular:  604-307-0212      
Email: [email protected]

Diana Sorace      
Senior Communications Advisor     
CGA-Canada      
Telephone:[phone]      
Email: [email protected]