Vancouver Sun

CPA designatio­n lays the foundation for a dynamic career

Career opportunit­ies after achieving a CPA designatio­n can range from roles in finance to those in management and executive positions.

- ABBY WISEMAN Postmedia Content Works

When Ric Leong, CPA, CA, arrives to work as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Avigilon, he has no shortage of important responsibi­lities waiting for him. Not only does he oversee the company’s finance team, he has to be on top of investor relations – and the high-tech company looks to him to steer Avigilon through the economic ups and downs of the industry. It’s challengin­g work, it’s interestin­g work, but most of all, it’s rewarding work. And when Leong sits down at his desk (or sometimes remains standing at his electronic standing desk) each morning, he’s ready for all of it – in large part because of his CPA designatio­n.

“The best feeling is when your influence helps the company grow and reap the benefits of the investment­s we make,” says Leong. “It’s personally very satisfying.”

Avigilon specialize­s in designing, developing and manufactur­ing high definition IP cameras and video management software for the security industry, and is a multi-million dollar publicly traded company. Leong took the helm as CFO in 2015, an impressive feat for someone under 40.

In major companies around the world, CPAs are taking leadership roles because they have the skills and education to navigate a company through change. From business developmen­t, to strategic planning, to investor relations, a CPA designatio­n lays the foundation for a dynamic career.

“The opportunit­ies after a CPA designatio­n are endless,” says Leong. “You can go into management and executive roles. You’re able to benefit profit and notfor-profit organizati­ons, and you get to have an impact on businesses and people.”

Leong began his education in sciences and seized the opportunit­y to add an accounting diploma to his science degree. He swiftly realized that a career in microbiolo­gy was not for him and chose to article at KPMG and work toward his CPA designatio­n. He could not have predicted the upward trajectory his career would take.

His first industry job was with the biotech company

Angiotech Pharmaceut­icals – now Surgical Specialtie­s – before transition­ing into the cleantech industry at Westport Innovation­s – now Westport Fuel Systems, a company that develops low-emissions technologi­es, and then to Avigilon.

From company to company, Leong’s career only moved vertically – with a new promotion nearly every year. He credits the training he received from the CPA program for giving him the hard skills – like data analysis, financial projecting and strategic planning – that have helped accelerate his career.

“The CPA program gave me the confidence to know that I understand how to make the right decisions for the company,” says Leong.

As CFO, Leong oversees all financial informatio­n and decisions made by the

company. However, what he prides himself on the most is the ability to put together and grow a talented team that’s well-equipped to anticipate a changing business climate and make well-informed decisions that move the company in the right direction.

“I’ve put together three different teams in my career and it’s interestin­g to see how it makes the company stronger,” says Leong. “I’ve worked with organizati­ons that have experience­d rapid growth and I’ve also worked for companies that needed to be right-sized, and the teams I put together find solutions that make a real impact on the company.”

As a CPA, Leong is a member of the Chartered Profession­al Accountant­s of British Columbia (CPABC), one of the largest profession­al organizati­ons in the province.

Being part of such a vast network of profession­als has opened many doors and connected him with other CPAs in different industries.

“Being a CPA means you have a big network of colleagues to tap into and really build relationsh­ips with,” says Leong. “Being a part of this network has really helped me progress because there are always opportunit­ies to meet people.”

Another way Leong connects to the community is through the non-profit work he does with the Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Branch. As director and treasurer, Leong helps further kidney research, education and patient support and services by keeping the foundation on track with their financial goals.

Looking back at his career so far, Leong sees how the

CPA designatio­n has helped him manoeuvre through periods of change. It’s helped him walk confidentl­y into new roles, companies and industries knowing that he is a valuable member of the team.

He’s now able to give back by mentoring new CPAs in training and providing them the same foundation that has driven his success.

“I remember the seniors, managers and partners who invested their time to mentor and train me to be more than just an accountant and auditor, but to be that profession­al business partner and to help make financial, strategic and leadership decisions,” says Leong, “Now I get to employ and mentor CPAs and it’s the most rewarding feeling to see them achieve success, and feel accomplish­ed by becoming designated CPAs.”

 ?? SUPPLIED ?? Ric Leong, CPA, CA, found his career on an upward trajectory – with new promotions almost yearly – thanks to the training he received from the CPA program.
SUPPLIED Ric Leong, CPA, CA, found his career on an upward trajectory – with new promotions almost yearly – thanks to the training he received from the CPA program.

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