CPA Canada celebrates excellence in public sector financial management

TORONTO, May 28, 2015 /CNW/ - Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) last night recognized innovation, leadership and career achievement with its Awards of Excellence in Public Sector Financial Management.

The awards were presented at a special dinner in Ottawa where the Deputy Chief Financial Officers' Council and Environment Canada were honoured with Innovation awards. Claude Rochette, CPA, CMA, assistant deputy minister and CFO, Department of National Defence captured the Financial Leadership (CFO) award. In addition, Paul Drolet, director of Financial Management Application, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) received the Lifetime Achievement award.

"The awards shine a much-deserved spotlight on these outstanding leaders," said Kevin Dancey, president and CEO, CPA Canada. "All of our winners have demonstrated exemplary commitment to sound public sector financial management and accountability."

2015 Innovation award

The Innovation award honours ground-breaking work that has made a significant contribution to financial management within the Government of Canada. The Deputy Chief Financial Officers' Council was nominated for the award for its holistic and sustained initiative to enhance the delivery of financial management services across the Government of Canada.  An intra-departmental team at Environment Canada was also honoured in the Innovation category for creating an integrated control framework for reporting environmental liabilities related to contaminated sites.

2015 Financial Leadership (CFO) award

The Financial Leadership (CFO) award honours individuals who exhibit excellence and/or leadership in accounting, management and strategy within the Government of Canada.

Rochette was honoured for exemplary performance in his previous role as vice president, Comptrollership Branch and chief financial officer at the Canada Border Services Agency. He developed a multi-year transformational plan that enhances core capacity, strengthens financial management capacity, improves strategic resource management and renews infrastructure management. 

He is also credited with having taken an active leadership role in the implementation of the Deficit Reduction Action Plan and playing a central role in the Beyond the Border Action Plan, which committed Canada and the U.S. to make significant investments in trade and traveller facilitation, border infrastructure, law enforcement and national security.

2015 Lifetime Achievement award

The Lifetime Achievement award honours individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to financial management throughout their career. It recognizes the contribution made to the Government of Canada as well as the financial management profession as a whole.

Drolet was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award for creating an enviable culture of excellence at AAFC by continually inspiring and leading his team to success. Through honesty, integrity and respect, Drolet modelled how to live the public service core values.

Drolet is a leader in supporting one of the largest groups of the SAP financial system in the Government of Canada. Drolet's innovative thinking and vision have made AAFC a model for hosting partnerships within the SAP financial system domain.

His efforts to ensure that AAFC's experiences are shared within the financial community have made him a recognized and respected leader in SAP financial management.

"We applaud all the winners for their dedication to sound management of taxpayer dollars," said Dancey.

The Awards of Excellence in Public Sector Financial Management is the only national program that recognizes outstanding financial management in the federal public service.

For more information on the awards and winners, visit: cpacanada.ca/PSFMawards

About CPA Canada

Canada's accounting profession is uniting under a new single designation, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). The profession's national body, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), represents and supports more than 190,000 members across the country. CPAs are valued for their financial and tax expertise, strategic thinking, business insight, management skills and leadership. CPA Canada has consolidated the operations of three national accounting bodies: The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada and The Society of Management Accountants of Canada. CPA Canada conducts research into current and emerging business issues and supports the setting of accounting, auditing and assurance standards for business, not-for-profit organizations and government. It also issues guidance on control and governance, publishes professional literature and develops certification and continuing education programs.

SOURCE CPA Canada

Related Links

www.cpacanada.ca