2024-02-17 05:01:04
Repetitive work, endless numbers, a profession of men, a future darkened by artificial intelligence… Everything we hear regarding chartered professional accountants (CPA) does not correspond to reality. When it comes time to draw up the accounts, those primarily concerned make it their duty to deconstruct old stereotypes and re-establish some truths.
The president and CEO of the Order of Chartered Professional Accountants of Quebec is the first to recognize this. “There are certain myths that continue to stick to the profession,” declares Geneviève Mottard, who has made it her mission to “debunk” these clichés. An accounting graduate from Concordia University, the president has led several campaigns aimed at shattering preconceived ideas since she took over the helm of the CPA Order in 2016.
Setting the record straight is a major challenge for the future of the profession, while we must ensure the succession of a generation of baby boomers ready to pass the torch. And there are old stereotypes that die harder than others among younger people. “All professions face a purely demographic challenge,” analyzes Ms. Mottard. “But we also have challenges specific to the CPA profession. Because young people still see us as a dull and boring profession. »
A privileged position
Contrary to what is still a widely held belief, CPAs do not have endless columns of figures as their only horizon. Their skillset, like their sphere of activity, goes beyond simple compliance and financial statements. “The CPA is one of the only people in a company with a 360-degree vision. He must understand operations, finance, strategy, communication. Which means that the CPA has an influence on all kinds of activities,” underlines Ms. Mottard.
“The training to become a CPA is very transversal. Accounting is important, but we also take courses to develop our thinking skills and to provide recommendations to CEOs,” says Pier-Alexandre Corriveau-Larochelle, CPA and vice-president of finance and operations at Duvernois Esprits. creative. “This training leads us to be managers rather than simple accountants, true right-hand men and business people involved in the company’s strategy. »
Social issues
Often associated with tedious shadow work, the CPA profession is much more valuable than one might think. And not just within companies. We may not know it, but CPAs have an important role to play in protecting the public on issues as essential as the fight once morest financial abuse of the elderly. “We made it our duty to sit down at the table with the government and work on a bill,” confides Ms. Mottard.
“The Order has held consultations with several partners in the financial sector to put in place mechanisms allowing CPAs to sound the alarm when they notice cases of financial mistreatment. Because of our roles, CPAs are often on the front lines of these types of situations. And we must make our voice heard on social issues,” continues the president of the Order, who has also worked to establish a legislative framework aimed at better regulating credit agencies.
“I work with several companies throughout the year, and it’s a great opportunity to learn from different backgrounds. My days are never the same, nor are my weeks. » — Ariane Villemure, chartered professional accountant
The choice of diversity
In recent years, the Order has also worked to highlight work in private practice, which is somewhat of an “unloved” profession in the profession. It is a fact that at the end of their training, young CPAs prefer a career in business, generally considered more rewarding. But it can be just as fulfilling and enriching to pursue a practice.
“Working in a firm allows you to be surrounded by a large team of all levels whose people have very varied experiences. So we learn at great speed and it’s very educational,” confirms chartered professional accountant Ariane Villemure.
After passing her professional exam in 2020, the 26-year-old CPA found her place at MNP, one of the leading professional services firms in Canada, where she works as an auditor and certification director. And Ms. Villemure does not regret her choice.
“I decided to work in a firm for the diversity it brings me. I work with several companies throughout the year, and it’s a great opportunity to learn from different backgrounds. My days are never the same, nor are my weeks,” she says.
A profession in full evolution
Like Ariane Villemure’s experience, the CPA profession is increasingly attracting more women. Long gone are the days when accounting was considered primarily a men’s business. “We have almost reached parity today,” underlines Geneviève Mottard. “We even expect things to change in the coming years, because we have a majority of female students in our faculties. We are one of the most diverse professions, but also the most equal in Quebec. »
When we talk regarding the future of the profession, another question arises from the debates. Isn’t it risky to train for a profession whose death is predicted to be planned? The galloping development of artificial intelligence has brought its share of dark omens, with some not hesitating to predict the end, in the more or less long term, of CPAs. But as with the introduction of the first computers at the beginning of the 1980s, the accounting professions are especially likely to evolve with technological innovations rather than disappear completely.
“150 years ago, we worked with manual registers. Today, we work with technological tools like AI. It’s a profession that adapts,” summarizes Ms. Mottard. “AI makes it possible to focus more on the other areas of a CPA’s skills, which are professional judgment and business development, rather than on bookkeeping and tax returns. Artificial intelligence is simply a tool, and can never replace professional judgment. »
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty in collaboration with the advertiser. The editorial team of Duty had no role in the production of this content.
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