PD Pathways
PD Pathways is a monthly digital newsletter for CPAs and business professionals, showcasing the latest news and resources in CPABC Professional Development.
Six Ways to Align Your Learning Goals with Your Career Path
Professional development is most effective when it supports where you want your career to go. While it can be tempting to choose courses based on what's trending or immediately available, aligning your learning goals with your career path helps ensure that every investment in learning contributes to your long-term success.
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Whether you're preparing for a new role, building leadership skills, or deepening your expertise, a clear connection between learning and career growth can help you stay motivated and make better development choices.
Here are six ways to align your learning goals with your career path:
1. Define Your Career Objectives
Think about where you want your career to be in the next one to three years. Are you preparing for a leadership role, strengthening your technical expertise, exploring artificial intelligence, or expanding your business skills?
Having a clear destination helps you identify the skills, knowledge, and experiences you'll need to get there. When your learning is tied to specific career objectives, it becomes easier to prioritize the opportunities that will have the greatest impact.
2. Identify Your Skill Gaps
Once you've identified your career goals, evaluate where you are today. Which skills are already strengths, and which areas need further development? Consider feedback from managers, colleagues, clients, or mentors to gain additional perspective.
For example, a CPA preparing for a leadership role may need to strengthen people management and communication skills, while someone pursuing a technical specialization may need deeper expertise in tax, financial reporting, or assurance.
Understanding these gaps allows you to focus your time and energy on learning that supports meaningful professional growth.
3. Set Specific and Achievable Goals
Vague goals such as "learn more about tax" or "improve leadership skills" can be difficult to act on. Instead, create goals that are clear, measurable, and realistic.
For example:
- Complete a certificate program within six months.
- Attend three professional development courses this year.
- Build knowledge in a new technical area by completing a learning series.
- Dedicate two hours each month to professional learning.
Specific goals provide direction, make progress easier to track, and help you stay focused on outcomes rather than simply accumulating professional development hours.
4. Choose the Learning Format That Fits You
Not every learner has the same needs. Some professionals benefit from comprehensive certificate programs that provide a structured learning pathway, while others prefer shorter, focused courses that target a specific skill or topic.
Today's professional development options offer more flexibility than ever, including conferences, learning series, certificate programs, and modularized courses. Choosing a format that aligns with your schedule, learning style, and career objectives will help you stay engaged and maximize the value of your learning experience.
5. Build a Learning Plan and Take Action
The best learning strategy is one that turns intentions into action. Create a plan that outlines the skills you want to develop, the programs you want to complete, and realistic timelines for achieving your goals.
Remember that professional development is a journey, not a one-time event. Small, consistent investments in learning can lead to greater confidence, stronger performance, and new career opportunities over time.
6. Review and Adjust Your Plan Regularly
Career aspirations can evolve as industries, organizations, and personal priorities change. Taking time to review your learning plan annually helps ensure it continues to align with your goals and professional needs.
Being adaptable is just as important as having a plan. The most successful professionals continuously evaluate their development needs and adjust their learning journey accordingly.
At CPABC’s Professional Development Program, we offer learning opportunities for every stage of a CPA's career. Whether you're developing leadership skills, building technical expertise, exploring AI, or preparing for your next career move, the right learning path starts with a clear goal and a commitment to continuous growth.
When your learning supports your career goals, every course becomes a meaningful step toward your future success.
Upcoming Executive Programs
These multi‑day Executive Programs connect you with a diverse network of peers while empowering, inspiring, and challenging you in an inclusive environment. Explore the in-person sessions available this fall:
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Controller’s Operational Skills Program
You’ll enhance your impact on the management team by sharpening your skills in risk management, internal controls, and ethical leadership. You’ll also build your expertise in planning, budgeting, forecasting, performance measurement, and financial reporting, helping you contribute more effectively to organizational success.
Whistler | September 16-19, 2026
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CFO’s Leadership Program
You’ll strengthen your leadership capabilities through a highly interactive experience that blends best practices, case studies, group discussions, and role-play. As you progress, you’ll move beyond the technical aspects of finance and position yourself as a confident, strategic business partner.
Whistler | September 20-23, 2026
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CFO’s Operational Skills Program
You’ll build your knowledge of corporate governance and risk management, including how these areas have evolved in the post-pandemic business environment. You’ll explore key CFO competencies such as business valuation, strategic planning, M&A, and behavioural economics, while also strengthening your ability to communicate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
Whistler | October 19-22, 2026
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Controller’s Management Program
You’ll learn alongside your peers while applying real-world scenarios and proven leadership strategies. By the end of the program, you’ll have the tools to inspire your team, drive accountability, and confidently navigate complex workplace challenges.
Vancouver | October 21-24, 2026
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Upcoming Series
Our PD Series brings together subject matter experts and professionals in a structured, multi-session format designed to fit your schedule.
Retirement Essentials Series
This three-part series will cover retirement income, explore how to build a fulfilling life beyond work, and review estate, incapacity, and health-care planning.
Live Virtual | Starts Sept 11
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Level Up: Career Catalyst Series
This five-part, bi-weekly seminar series will offer practical tools and actionable strategies to help you confidently navigate the next stage of your career.
Live Virtual | Starts Sept 29
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Income Tax Series
This monthly seminar series offers timely updates on current announcements and critical topics in income tax.
Live Virtual | Starts Oct 8
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The “Quick 5” Leadership Series
These fast-paced, two-hour virtual sessions are designed for busy professionals who want practical leadership tools they can use immediately. Grounded in research and based on real workplace challenges, each session will offer strategies to strengthen confidence, communication, engagement, and team performance in today’s changing workplace.
Live Virtual | Starts Oct 21
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Upcoming New Titles
Discover new opportunities to learn, grow, and stay current. Our new titles bring together expert knowledge, practical insights, and relevant topics to support your ongoing professional development and career success.
The Art of the Steal: Corruption, Money Laundering and Financial Fraud
Through practical examples and case studies, participants will strengthen their ability to recognize fraud-related risks and consider the professional responsibilities and ethical challenges accountants may encounter when addressing them.
Live Virtual | Oct 20
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From Data to Decisions: Analytical Thinking for Better Decision-making
This half day course develops basic and practical analytical thinking skills to help professionals make better decisions, solve complex problems, and communicate insights with clarity and confidence.
Live Virtual | Oct 22
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Ethics for Government and Non-profit Organizations
The course emphasizes navigating legal and institutional constraints, documenting professional judgment, and responding effectively to ethical pressures in hierarchical and publicly accountable settings.
Live Virtual | Oct 23
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From Experimentation to Execution: Operationalizing AI Governance
The course focuses on evaluating use cases, assessing readiness, defining governance responsibilities, and determining whether AI initiatives are positioned to deliver meaningful business value.
Live Virtual | Nov 6
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IFRS 18 - Impact on Preparation of Financial Statements
This course introduces the pervasive impact IFRS 18, Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements, will have on the preparation of the financial statements as entities must now classify all income and expense into one of five categories.
Live Virtual | Nov 30
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PSAS - Conceptual Framework and New Reporting Model
Participants will build foundational knowledge of the conceptual framework and new reporting model under PS 1202.
Live Virtual Dec 3
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Upcoming In-Person Sessions
Elevate your learning by joining face‑to‑face sessions in Vancouver that encourage easy collaboration and conversations that lead to genuine insights.
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Overloaded and Disconnected: The Hidden Cognitive, Cultural and Ethical Costs in Today’s Workplace
This interactive workshop explores how workplace overload can quietly erode performance, collaboration, and relationships. Participants will gain practical tools to strengthen communication, reconnect with their teams, and build trust and collective accountability for sustained success.
Vancouver | Oct 16
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Advanced Strategic Management Certificate Program: Links
This case-based, interactive session takes participants through a process of analysis and review, allowing a big picture perspective, balanced with emphasis of key details and the importance of making hard choices throughout the process.
Vancouver | Oct 20
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Advanced Strategic Management Certificate Program: Maps
Using strategy mapping, participants will be able to understand how to assess and consider limited resources in strategic planning and how to best make hard choices between strategic alternatives, priorities and resources.
Vancouver | Oct 21
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Compilations - Application of the Standard
Participants will learn how to apply CSRS 4200 end-to-end—acceptance and continuance, planning, performance, completion, and reporting—using practical tools, examples, and documentation templates.
Vancouver | Oct 22
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Leadership and Coaching
Participants will learn how to create a positive workplace environment, strengthen their leadership effectiveness, and apply coaching techniques that encourage growth, accountability, and improved performance across individuals and teams.
Vancouver | Oct 23
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Income Tax - Advanced and Emerging Issues in Investment Income
This course provides a practical overview of investment income reporting for income tax purposes, focusing on the distinctions between income and capital, timing of recognition, and the tax treatment of increasingly complex investment products.
Vancouver | Nov 18
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Fall into Learning: Discover What's New in CPABC PD This Season
This fall, CPABC Professional Development is bringing more opportunities than ever for CPAs to stay ahead, build in-demand skills, and meet the evolving needs of today's profession. With new certificates, expanded learning series, modularized courses, and refreshed course titles, our Fall Program has been designed with flexibility, relevance, and career growth in mind.
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Today's CPAs are expected to do more than ever before. From navigating emerging technologies and regulatory changes to leading teams and driving business strategy, the skills needed to succeed continue to evolve. That's why CPABC PD's Fall Program has been thoughtfully designed to provide practical, relevant, and flexible learning opportunities to meet members where they are.
Leading this season's new offerings are three certificate programs focused on the future of the profession. The AI Strategies and Implementation Certificate Program equips participants with the knowledge to effectively incorporate artificial intelligence into business processes and decision-making. The Leading AI Integration for Agile CPAs Certificate Program focuses on leading organizational change and building confidence in AI adoption. For those looking to strengthen their leadership capabilities, the Management Essentials Certificate Program provides a strong foundation in people management and workplace leadership.
In addition to these new certificates, this fall also brings several new learning series designed to support members at different stages of their professional journey. The Level Up: Career Catalyst Series focuses on career growth, helping participants build the skills and confidence needed to advance their careers. The Retirement Essentials Series provides valuable guidance for members preparing for retirement and planning for the next phase of life. For busy professionals looking to sharpen their leadership skills, The Quick 5 Leadership Series delivers practical leadership insights in a concise and accessible format.
Flexibility is another major focus of this year's Fall Program selected PD courses will be offered in shorter, focused formats, giving learners more control over their professional development journey. Rather than enrolling in a single course that covers multiple topics, participants can register for individual modules that align with their specific learning needs or combine several modules to create a broader learning experience.
The following selected courses have been redesigned into shorter, modular learning offerings: Income Tax Update, Corporate Tax - Review of Tax Planning, ASPE - Review of the Standards and Personal Tax - Review of Tax Planning. This approach allows members to focus their time on the topics most relevant to their roles while creating a learning schedule that fits their busy professional lives.
Whether you're exploring the potential of AI, building leadership skills, staying current on technical updates, or customizing your learning experience through modularized courses, CPABC PD's Fall Program offers more ways than ever to learn, grow, and succeed.
Discover how CPABC PD can help you build knowledge, gain confidence, and stay ready for what's next. Your next professional development opportunity starts here.
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Building Critical Thinkers and Effective Leaders
Meet Dr. Shawn Ireland, a founding partner and Managing Director of HRCgroup, Inc., where he works with Fortune 500 companies, foreign governments, and international aid organizations to help leaders and teams navigate complex challenges. With expertise in critical thinking, strategic change, virtual teamwork, and human behaviour, Shawn brings practical insights and real-world experience to every learning experience.
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In addition to his consulting work, Shawn serves as an Adjunct Faculty member in the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) graduate program at Adler University in Vancouver. His engaging and thought-provoking approach equips participants with the skills and perspectives needed to adapt, collaborate, and thrive in today's evolving workplace.
Dr. Shawn Ireland brings decades of experience in leadership development, critical thinking, organizational change, and human behaviour. Participants can benefit from his expertise through courses such as Fostering Critical Thinking and Self-Reflection, From Data to Decisions: Analytical Thinking for Better Decision-Making, Leader as Coach – Becoming a Coaching Oriented Leader, The Ethics Advantage in Business, Project Leadership vs. Project Management – Getting to Successful Project Outcomes, Managing Across the Generations, Personal Effectiveness: Self Awareness and Balanced Thinking, We Have to Talk - Having the Difficult Conversations. His sessions challenge participants to think differently, make better decisions, strengthen leadership effectiveness, and build the skills needed to succeed in today's evolving workplace.
Your Path to Growth Starts Here.
Take the next step in your professional journey with Learning Pathways, a personalized guide to courses that support your professional goals. Whether you're exploring a new career direction, building technical skills, enhancing your project management capabilities, or advancing your impact in the non-profit sector, our curated pathways help you find the right learning opportunities.
Explore the pathways below and discover courses tailored to your goals, with new pathways added regularly.
PD Pathways
