The Chartered Professional Accountants Act is in force

MONTREAL, May 18, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Chartered Professional Accountants Act came into force on May 16, 2012 thereby establishing the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés (CPA) du Québec with a membership of 35,000 accounting professionals who were until now members of the Ordre des CA, the Ordre des CGA and the Ordre des CMA. This unification means that the strengths and expertise of these three orders are now combined within the Ordre des CPA.

According to the new Chair of the Ordre des CPA, Stephan Robitaille, FCPA, FCGA, "this is a historic day since we are witnessing the outcome of the fifth attempt in nearly 40 years to unify the accounting profession in Quebec. This extraordinary achievement will certainly enhance the protection of the public, but also promote the development of the profession and consolidate its presence at the international level."

"We are very pleased with the creation of the new Ordre des CPA and are proud that Quebec is leading the way for the accounting profession in Canada. This successful move will certainly be a model and an inspiration for our counterparts across Canada," added Daniel McMahon, FCPA, FCA, new President and CEO of the Ordre des CPA.

Positive impacts
With a single gateway to the mechanisms for protecting the public and regulations that draw on the highest ethical and professional standards of the three orders, the new Ordre des CPA has the tools it needs to better protect the public. Unification also allows for the introduction of a new single core designation and globally recognized business credential for professional accountants in all economic sectors. Strengthened by the distinctive competencies of its members and the synergies they create, the accounting profession will be in an even better position to serve the business community as well as organizations.

A new team in place
For several months now, the leaders of the three orders have been preparing for the creation of the new Ordre des CPA. Everything is now in place to ensure a seamless transition, with the valuable assistance of its Board of Directors and Executive Committee, which are composed of the following members:

Members of the Board of Directors of the Ordre des CPA

• Chair - Stephan Robitaille, FCPA, FCGA, Desjardins Securities, Laval
• First Vice-Chair - Manon Durivage, FCPA, FCA, BDO Canada, Montreal
• Second Vice-Chair - Nathalie Houle, FCPA, FCMA, Desjardins Group, Lévis
• Marc Bélanger, FCPA, FCMA, Qualité Investissements, Montreal
• Alain Dugal, CPA, CA, PwC, Montreal, Member of the Executive Committee
• André Dugal, CPA, CA, KPMG, Montreal
• Ginette Fortin, FCPA, FCGA, National Bank of Canada, Montreal
• Jacques Lefebvre, ASC, Corporate Director, Quebec City, Member of the Executive Committee
• Suzanne Maisonneuve-Benoit, Consultant, Mont-Tremblant
• André Miville, CPA, CA, Comptroller of Finance of Quebec, Quebec City
• Hélène Racine, CPA, CA, HEC Montréal, Montreal
• Nelly Rodrigue, Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq), Quebec City
• Alain Tremblay, CPA, CA, CA•IT, Lemire Morin Tremblay inc., Gatineau
• Germain Trottier, Quebec City
• Sylvie Valois, CPA, CMA, Bombardier Aerospace, Dorval
• Rénald Vigneault, FCPA, FCGA, Société de Bienfaisance Marie-Soleil et Jonathan, Montreal

Members of the Executive Committee of the Ordre des CPA

• Chair - Stephan Robitaille, FCPA, FCGA, Desjardins Securities, Laval
• First Vice-Chair - Manon Durivage, FCPA, FCA, BDO Canada, Montreal
• Second Vice-Chair - Nathalie Houle, FCPA, FCMA, Desjardins Group, Lévis
• Alain Dugal, CPA, CA, PwC, Montreal
• Jacques Lefebvre, ASC, Corporate Director, Quebec City

About the Ordre des CPA du Québec
The Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec has over 35,000 members and 6,500 candidates for the practice of the profession. The Order ensures the protection of the public and the visibility of the profession. It represents all areas of expertise of the accounting profession—assurance, financial accounting, management and management accounting, finance and taxation—at the service of enterprises, organizations and the general public.

Image with caption: "Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés (CPA) du Québec (CNW Group/Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés (CPA) du Québec)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120518_C9075_PHOTO_EN_13939.jpg

Ginette Bourbonnais
Ordre des CPA du Québec
T  514 849-1155, ext. 246 or 1 800 263-5390
[email protected]