CGA Alberta launches social media contest to find Alberta's Next Top Accountant

CALGARY, Jan. 26, 2012 /CNW/ - The Certified General Accountants' Association of Alberta (CGA Alberta), in partnership with Husky Energy Inc. (TSX:HSE) today announced its search for Alberta's Next Top Accountant, a social media contest where students submit videos outlining why they are the right person for the job. The contest's grand-prize winner receives a paid summer internship at Husky Energy located in Calgary, Alberta, a scholarship with CGA Alberta, a $3,000 cash prize plus a $5,000 donation to their school.

"We are very excited about this innovative contest," said John Carpenter MBA FCGA, Chief Executive Officer of CGA Alberta.  "Leveraging on the success and popularity of a reality TV show and using YouTube and Facebook to reach our audience, our aim is to showcase what it means to be a CGA. The contest displays the kind of education and experience the CGA program gives students and what kind of unlimited career potential they can enjoy."

Partnering with a prestigious company such as Husky Energy highlights the fact that CGAs are top accountants - and in demand by highly regarded organizations. "We are eager to discover the talented individual who will covet the title!" Carpenter added.

"This is a great opportunity for Husky and the CGA to collaborate," said Husky Energy Controller Angela Butler. "It's a creative way for students to share their skills and should generate some healthy competition among emerging talent. We look forward to the Next Top Accountant spending time with us so we can help prepare them for their profession."

CGA Alberta is building on the success of last year's contest which garnered 17 video submissions, receiving more than 15,000 views. 2011 contest partner Talisman Energy Inc. hired SAIT student Stephanie Greve for the summer internship and extended her contract to a full time position.  "This was a great opportunity for me to enter the business world and gain even more work experience in a new and challenging environment," said Greve.  "Being called Alberta's Next Top Accountant is something I am very proud of. My goals have certainly changed because now I see a future with Talisman and I believe I am on the right track to make it happen." Talisman Energy Inc. also extended an offer of employment to Next Top Accountant 3rd place winner Ahmed Bilal Abida.

This year, contestants are again asked to submit a video outlining why they should be Alberta's Next Top Accountant and to post the video on CGA Alberta's YouTube channel. Members from the general public can vote on the entries by visiting www.nexttopaccountant.ca and "Liking" the video. The 5 entries with the most "Likes" will continue to the next stage of the contest, where they will develop a business case study to be judged by a panel of CGAs and a Husky Energy representative. New videos are submitted weekly, so check back often to view the new contestants.

The contest is open to all residents of Alberta 18 years or older. Contest entries can be made from now until March 5, with voting closing on March 6. Business case studies are due by March 22 and the interview process will take place March 30, with the winner announced that day.

• The grand prize package includes a paid summer internship at HuskyEnergy in Calgary, Alberta, $3,000 cash and CGA student entry fee and transcript evaluation ($880 value). The winning school will also receive a $5,000 donation
  
  
• 2nd place: $2,000 cash, $2,000 CGA scholarship
  
  
• 3rd place: $1,000 cash, $1,000 CGA scholarship

The Certified General Accountants' Association is responsible for the education, regulation and promotion of CGAs in Alberta. There are more than 75,000 CGA members and students working across the country and around the world, at every level and in every sector. CGA is the fastest growing accounting designation in Canada and is the designation of choice for students pursuing an accounting career in Alberta.

Husky Energy is one of Canada's largest integrated energy companies. It is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, and is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols HSE and HSE.PR.A. The Company operates worldwide with Upstream, Midstream and Downstream business segments.

For more information on Alberta's Next Top Accountant, go to www.nexttopaccountant.ca.
For more information on CGA Alberta, go to www.cga-alberta.org.
For more information on Husky Energy Inc., go to www.huskyenergy.com.

or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Janice Harrington
Vice President, Communications and Government Relations
CGA Alberta
403.614.7941