TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors for Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) has approved the appointment of Joy Thomas, FCPA, FCMA, as president and CEO, effective April 1, 2016. Thomas succeeds Kevin J. Dancey, FCPA, FCA, who retires May 1.
"A Board-appointed CEO search committee undertook an extensive search covering a large and diverse group of successful domestic and international business people working across all sectors of the economy," says Board chair Alain Côté, ICD.D, FCPA, FCA. He notes that with Canada's three legacy accounting designations now unified under the single banner, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), CPA Canada now represents more than 200,000 Canadian CPAs globally and is the fifth largest professional accounting organization in the world.
"The knowledge, experience and professional respect that Joy Thomas brings to the position will be key to ensuring CPA Canada continues to build upon the solid foundation now in place," says Côté. "Out of more than 175 individuals considered, we chose Joy Thomas because she shares CPA Canada's values and vision for the future, she has proven ability to work effectively and inspire the CPA Canada team, and she is committed to enhancing CPA Canada's relevance and influence to ensure the organization is globally recognized as Canada's pre-eminent voice in business and finance."
Thomas is currently CPA Canada executive vice president. In her previous position as president and CEO of the Society of Certified Management Accountants of Canada (CMA Canada), Thomas worked together with Dancey, then president and CEO of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA), to lead unification of the Canadian accounting profession. Thomas also oversaw the operational integration of the three national legacy accounting bodies into CPA Canada.
Prior to working within the profession, she held positions as a CFO and comptroller across several sectors. Thomas is also a current member of the Board of International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd., where she recently completed a term as chair of the Audit Committee and led a governance review which resulted in the adoption of a new governance model for the financial planning global network.
Thomas recognizes the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the Canadian profession. "Not only is our profession evolving but so too is the global environment in which we operate," says Thomas. "It is an honour to be given this opportunity to represent the profession that I am deeply passionate about. I look forward to working with provincial and international accounting bodies along with our members and other stakeholders to help effect positive change."
Côté acknowledged the valuable contributions of CPA Canada's retiring president and CEO.
"Kevin Dancey successfully guided the profession through several significant transformations during his ten years at the helm of first CICA and then CPA Canada," says Côté. "He played pivotal roles in the unification of the Canadian accounting profession, the transition to International Financial Reporting Standards, the creation of private company standards, and launching the profession's Enhancing Audit Quality initiative as well as CPA Canada's award-winning Financial Literacy program. Kevin is leaving with the organization and profession in a strong position."
About CPA Canada
The new Canadian designation, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), is now used by Canada's accounting profession across the country. The profession's national body, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), is one of the largest in the world with more than 200,000 members, both at home and abroad. The Canadian CPA was created with the unification of three legacy accounting designations (CA, CGA and CMA). CPAs are valued for their financial and tax expertise, strategic thinking, business insight, management skills and leadership. CPA Canada conducts research into current and emerging business issues and supports the setting of accounting, auditing and assurance standards for business, not-for-profit organizations and government. CPA Canada also issues guidance and thought leadership on a variety of technical matters, publishes professional literature and develops education and professional certification programs. cpacanada.ca
SOURCE CPA Canada
Image with caption: "Joy Thomas, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CNW Group/CPA Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160205_C3012_PHOTO_EN_614877.jpg
Tobin Lambie, Principal, Media, CPA Canada, T: 416-204-3228, C: 647-302-3761, [email protected]
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