CGA Manitoba Public Practice Series
The
Public Practice Series provides technical updates to all members and their staff as well as workshops directed specifically to public accounting firms.
Note: If you plan to register for practice as a sole practitioner or a partner in a designated public accounting firm, these courses are required for registration purposes.
Interested in a Career in Public Practice?
Take control of your own path and explore the opportunities at the Public Practice Information Session. This event is open to all CGA members and students who are thinking about entering public practice, looking for potential employment opportunities with CGA firms, and those who are considering the idea.
Newly certified CGAs, with appropriate practical experirence, are in demand for senior positions in public accounting firms. As a CGA with public accounting experience, you are in an optimal position to consider partnership opportunities or to commence practice on your own. If you enjoy working with people and have an entrepreneurial spirit, public practice may be the career choice for you.
For information on a career in Public Practice, contact Kristine Kaban, B.A., Manager, Public Practice at the Association office at 204.477.1256, ext. 213, 800.282.8001.
Back to Top
Public Practice Series Registration Information
There are two ways to register:
- Online through MyCGA Web Services (click onto Meetings/Events)
- Download Printable Regisration Form [PDF] (available August 2012), complete, and fax to 204.453.7176
Questions about your registration, special accommodations, etc., please contact
Sev Trueman, B.A., Coordinator, Professional Development at 204.477.1256, ext. 223, or 800.282.8001.
CGA Manitoba's
Refund Policy Back to Top
Schedule of Requirement Seminars/Workshops
| Starting Your Own CGA Practice | September 10, 2012 |
| Performing Compliation and Review Engagements | September 11, 2012 |
| Practice Administration Issues | September 12, 2012 |
| Handbook Refresher (includes GAAP & GAAS Update) | December 6 & 7, 2012 |
| GAAP & GAAS Update | December 7, 2012 |
| Audit Engagements | May 14 & 15, 2013 |
Back to Top
Seminar/Workshop Descriptions
Starting Your Own CGA Practice
Date: September 10, 2012
Time: 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Presenter: D. Scott Anderson, FCGA
Location: CGA Manitoba, 4 Donald St S, Winnipeg, MB
Competencies: Practice Management
CPD Hours: Six (6)
The success of your practice depends not only on the quality of
your work, but also on the organization of your office and how
you present yourself and your services to clients. This session will
provide new practitioners, as well as those contemplating a career
in public practice, with valuable information on the various ways
to start an accounting firm. Participants will learn when they are
ready to start their own practice, how to prepare the business plan
and establish their operating policies, and what preparations are
necessary before opening their office.
Highlights
Professional Matters:
• Making the decision/practice requirements/professional services
• Performing professional engagements/relations with clients
• Code of ethics/obligations to the association, the public, and clients
• Mentor Program and practice reviews
Practice Development and Administration:
• Business plan/marketing plan/practice development
• Advertising/business cards/brochures
• Fee determination/time and billing records/staffing
• Office administration/office equipment and furnishings
• Reference library
• Practice management questionnaire
Acquiring a Practice:
• Purchase vs. development of a practice
• Planning your purchase/financing considerations
• Negotiating an agreement/making the transition
Back To Top
Performing Compilation and Review Engagements
Date: September 11, 2012
Time: 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Presenter: D.Scott Anderson, FCGA
CPD Hours: Six (6)
Competency: Assurance
This session will equip new practitioners with the tools necessary to undertake compilation and review engagements in their practice. Participants in this interactive workshop will learn all aspects of the engagement, from accepting clients’ records to the drafting of Notice to Reader or Review Report and conducting the client wrap up meeting. Through case examples and exercises, participants will learn working paper file and financial statement and communication processes. Common problems and ethical dilemmas will be addressed throughout the session exercises.
The content of the seminar complies with Canadian accounting standards for private enterprises (ASPE) and Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations (ASNPO).
Highlights
• Client relations/selecting the appropriate engagement/accepting an engagement/independence issues
• Lead sheets/supporting working papers/adjusting entries/organizing the file
• Compilation procedures, checklists
• Review procedure examples
• Implications of the conversion to ASPE/ASNPO and review engagements and first-time adoption issues
• Sample compilation working paper file and sample CGA-Canada Public Practice Manual checklists, correspondences, and working papers.
Back To Top
Practice Administrative Issues
Date: September 12, 2012
Time: 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Presenter: Ryan Campbell, B.Comm. (Hons.), C.G.A.
CPD Hours: Six (6)
Competency: Technical Knowledge
This series includes four components:
• Ethical Issues for Professional Accountants
• Civil Penalties
• Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
• Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA)
Ethical Issues for Professional Accountants
The CGA-Canada Code of Ethical Principles and Rules of Conduct (CEPROC) and Independence Standard impose requirements on members engaged in the practice of public accounting beyond those expected in industry or government. Public practitioners must be vigilant in meeting these requirements and fulfilling the role expected of them by society. In this session, you will learn more about your ethical obligations and how to ensure your firm’s compliance.
Civil Penalties
Civil penalties are intended to deter third parties from making false statements or omissions in relation to income tax or GST/HST matters. Section 163.2 of the Income Tax Act (ITA) and Section 285.1 of the Excise Tax Act (ETA) provide for the application of these penalties. Participants will learn how to protect themselves against assessment under either the planner or preparer penalties.
Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
Application of PIPEDA to the accounting profession became effective January 1, 2004, and regulates the collection, use or disclosure of personal information in the course of commercial activities. In this session, you will learn what information is covered in the Act and the guiding principles behind the legislation. You will determine your obligations and learn how to obtain proper consent, to employ safeguards within your firm, to respond to breaches, and to properly set up a privacy compliance program including the use of proper compliance tools.
Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA)
The PCMLTFA makes it mandatory for accountants and accounting firms to report a variety of transactions to the Financial Transaction and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). This session will give you an overview of the Act and your obligations. You will learn how to ensure compliance with this legislation and gain the tools to guide your judgement in meeting the requirements.
Back to Schedule
Handbook Refresher
Date: December 6 & 7, 2012 (1 1/2 Day Format)
Time: 10:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. (Day 1) and 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. (Day 2)
Presenter: Howard Wirch, C.G.A.
CPD Hours: Nine (9)
Competencies: Financial Accounting and Assurance
Accounting and assurance standards are under review in Canada, the Handbook is constantly growing and evolving. In view of the move to international standards, expectations are for continued and frequent revisions to the Handbook. This course is designed to refresh members’ skills in applying and using the Handbook. Participants will become more proficient at researching and retrieving information from the CICA Handbook through problem-solving exercises and group discussion.
Highlights
- “Why” – current Handbook practices
- “How” – you can use the Handbook to deal with requirements for financial statement preparation and presentation
- “What” – are the requirements and how can you make sure that you do not omit or overlook any of them
- Why you should consider the CD-ROM or online version of the CICA Handbook
Note: The Handbook Refresher is a 1-1/2 day seminar and includes the GAAP & GAAS Update. Members may also register for the GAAP & GAAS update as a one-day seminar. Back To Top
GAAP & GAAS Update
Date: December 7, 2012
Time: 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Presenter: Howard Wirch, C.G.A.
CPD Hours: Six (6)
Competencies: Financial Accounting and Assurance
Maintaining current knowledge of audit, accounting and financial reporting standards is critical to members offering professional services to the public as well as those responsible for financial reporting functions for their employers. As Canada moves closer to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), CGAs will be relied upon for facilitating this transition. This session will highlight recent changes in standards as well as enlighten participants on technical changes to expect in the future. This session is most relevant to members in small-medium enterprises and in public accounting firms.
Back To Top
Audit Engagements
Date: May 14 & 15, 2013 - Two Full Days
Time: 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. daily
Presenter: Betty Thompson, FCGA
CPD Hours: Twelve (12)
Competency: Assurance
Regardless of the size of your organization, you need to be aware of ongoing changes to the professional standards and procedures that guide the performance of every auditing engagement. Although small audits have inherent challenges, it is a common misconception that the professional auditing guidelines are geared strictly to larger audits. During this session, you will understand how and why the same standards apply to all audit work, no matter how large or small. You will also appreciate the need for users of audited financial statements to have assurance that the same quality of work has been applied to each engagement.
The content of the seminar complies with Canadian Auditing Standards (CAS).
Highlights
• Introduction to Canadian Auditing Standards (CAS)
• Case study — Using the PPM CAS audit programs and an alternative approach based on memorandums for the financial statements audit of an NPO
• Overview of the audit process under the CGA-Canada Public Practice Manual CAS audit programs
• Recommendations for identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement/enhanced discussions on fraud risk and responses to identified risk factors
• Recommendations for audit procedures to address the risk of misstatement due to fraud
Note: Those members attending the workshop for entry into Public Practice are required to attend both full days to meet the Public Practice Entrance Requirement.
Back To Top