PD Pathways

PD Pathways is a monthly digital newsletter for CPAs and business professionals, showcasing the latest news and resources in CPABC Professional Development.

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Feature-Article

The CPA PRO Advantage: Four Reasons to Choose Learning Designed for CPAs

CPA-Pro-Wordmark (2CBlueGreenTrademarked) (1)The pace of change in today's business environment means CPAs must continually learn, adapt, and grow. Developed by the CPA profession for CPAs, CPA PRO courses are designed to help you maintain competency, stay current, and build practical skills that support long-term career success.

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Here are four reasons why CPA PRO is the professional development choice for CPAs:

1. Developed Specifically for CPAs

Not all professional development courses are created equal. Exclusively developed by the CPA profession for CPAs, CPA PRO courses deliver practical, relevant learning designed around the real-world challenges and opportunities CPA members face. From strengthening technical expertise in areas such as taxation to enhancing leadership and management skills, CPA PRO provides learning you can apply immediately in your role and throughout your career.

2. Stay Current on Standards, Legislation, and Regulation

Keeping up with change is one of the biggest challenges facing professionals today. CPA PRO courses provide timely updates on standards, legislation, regulations, and best practices, helping members stay informed, compliant, and prepared for an evolving business environment.

To ensure quality and relevance, CPA PRO courses undergo a rigorous review process to verify that regulatory and technical content is accurate, current, and delivered at an appropriate level of depth. This gives you confidence that your learning is focused on the issues that matter most to the profession and your role as a CPA.

3. Build Practical Skills That Deliver Results

Professional development should deliver more than theory. CPA PRO courses focus on practical, high-quality learning that can be applied directly in the workplace. Covering technical, business, and leadership topics, the curriculum helps you build the skills needed to address today's challenges while preparing for future opportunities. The result is relevant, actionable learning that strengthens your professional expertise, enhances your business acumen, and supports long-term career success.

4. Learn in the Way That Works Best for You

Balancing professional development with work and personal commitments can be challenging. That's why CPA PRO courses are offered in a variety of learning formats, including in-person, live virtual, and on-demand options. This flexibility allows you to pursue learning when and where it fits your schedule.

Whether you prefer the engagement of a live classroom, the convenience of virtual learning, or the flexibility of self-paced study, there is a format designed to support your learning goals.

Invest in Learning Designed for the Profession

As a CPA, your knowledge is one of your most valuable assets. CPA PRO courses provide focused, relevant, and practical learning developed specifically for CPA professionals. Stay current, strengthen your expertise, and continue building the skills that will help you succeed in an ever-changing profession.


Course-Highlight

Upcoming Certificate Programs

Develop new skills and deepen your knowledge through certificate programs led by industry experts. Each program offers a meaningful learning pathway that helps you stay competitive in a rapidly changing profession.

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FP&A Fundamentals Certificate Program

Whether you’re transitioning into FP&A, strengthening your business partnering capabilities, or increasing your strategic impact, this certificate provides practical tools, frameworks, and real-world examples you can use right away.

Live Virtual | November 2-13

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Data Analytics Certificate 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.

Live Virtual | November 17, 18, 24 & 25

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AI Strategies and Implementation Certificate Program

Through real-world examples, hands-on learning, and a focus on responsible AI adoption, participants will learn how to align AI initiatives with business objectives, manage organizational change, and navigate implementation challenges with confidence.

Live Virtual | November 24, 25 & 26

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AI Strategy for Accountants Certificate Program

Discover how to integrate AI into your practice to improve efficiency, decision-making, and client outcomes.

Live Virtual | November 30, December 1 & 2

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Upcoming Ethics Sessions

Ethical decision-making is at the core of the CPA profession. Gain practical insights and tools to address emerging ethical challenges in today’s evolving business environment.

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Ethical Leadership in an Age of AI

Through practical scenarios and discussion, participants will strengthen their ability to identify ethical considerations, assess risks, and apply a structured approach to AI-related decisions.

Live Virtual | October 26, November 9, November 19

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A Threats and Safeguards Approach to Ethical Decision Making

In this workshop, you’ll explore situations in your professional roles that involve ethical challenges and examine how these can pose threats to your compliance with the Fundamental Principles of the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct.

Live Virtual | November 2, November 14, December 5

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Becoming an Ethical Leader: How to Navigate Power, Pressure, and the Grey Zones of Modern Businessncome Tax Series

Drawing on behavioural ethics and real-world examples, participants will learn how to recognize common ethical pitfalls, navigate complex stakeholder interests, and apply strategies that support sound judgment, accountability, and ethical leadership in today's business environment.

Live Virtual | November 5

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Real Ethics, Real Decisions: Practical Strategies Shared by CFOs and Controllers

Using Canadian case studies, participants will examine how financial leaders can navigate conflicts of interest, reporting pressures, governance lapses, and personal conduct issues - all while protecting organizational integrity and making principled decisions.

Live Virtual | November 13

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Upcoming In-Person Sessions

Elevate your learning by joining face‑to‑face sessions that encourage easy collaboration and conversations that lead to genuine insights.

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Corporate Tax - Update 2026

Participants will receive an up-to-date overview of key corporate tax developments from the past year, including rate changes, enacted legislative changes, proposed legislation, emerging tax developments, CRA interpretations, administrative guidance, and recent case law affecting private corporations.

Surrey | October 28

Victoria | November 9

Vancouver | November 16, November 17, November 18

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RIP - Estate Planning

Participants will develop practical estate-planning skills for owner-managers and high-net-worth clients, integrating tax considerations, trust usage, business-succession tools, and risk controls.

Vancouver | October 28

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AI Risk Management for Accountants: A Deep Dive

This course explores the evolving AI risk landscape and provides practical guidance on governance, regulatory compliance, data protection, cybersecurity, and internal controls. 

Vancouver | November 5

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Rapid Dashboard Development with Power BI Desktop 

In this course, we will give you an introduction to the five different areas that make up Power BI: Sourcing data, Modeling Data, Building Formulas, Creating Visualizations and Sharing.

Vancouver | November 17

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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 | November 18

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Income Tax - Everyday Issues for General Practitioners

Participants will focus on the everyday Canadian income tax issues practitioners encounter with owner-managed clients, translating rules into practical decisions on income characterization, remuneration, shareholder benefits/loans, mixed-purpose expenses, and topical developments.

Vancouver | November 20

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Skills-Development

Top 5 Trends and Issues Shaping the CPA Profession

The profession continues to evolve at a rapid pace. From emerging technologies and changing tax regulations to increasing expectations around leadership and ethics, CPAs are expected to do more than ever before. The good news? The right professional development can help you stay ahead.

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Here are five key areas to watch, along with courses that can help you build the skills needed to navigate them successfully.

1. Generative AI Is Moving Into the Mainstream

AI is no longer a future trend. Organizations are actively exploring how generative AI can improve productivity, streamline processes, and support decision-making. At the same time, concerns around accuracy, data security, governance, and professional judgment remain top of mind.

Courses to consider:

Understanding how to use AI responsibly can help CPAs leverage its benefits while maintaining the professional standards expected by employers, clients, and regulators.

2. Data Skills Are Becoming Business-Critical

Finance professionals are increasingly expected to move beyond reporting and provide strategic insights. The ability to analyze, visualize, and communicate data is becoming an essential skill set.

Courses to consider:

These courses can help you transform raw data into meaningful insights, build interactive dashboards, and support better business decisions.

3. Tax Changes Continue to Create Challenges and Opportunities

Tax legislation and administrative practices are constantly evolving. Staying up to date is essential for maintaining compliance, managing risk, and identifying opportunities for clients and organizations.

Courses to consider:

Whether you work in public practice or industry, a strong understanding of current tax developments can help you provide timely and informed guidance.

4. Ethical Decision-Making Matters More Than Ever

As technology advances and business environments become increasingly complex, ethical questions are becoming more nuanced. CPAs are often called upon to exercise professional judgment in situations where there is no simple answer.

Courses to consider:

Maintaining a strong ethical foundation not only protects your reputation but also reinforces the trust that underpins the CPA profession.

5. Leadership Skills Are Essential for Career Growth

Today's CPAs are expected to lead projects, manage teams, influence stakeholders, and communicate complex information effectively. Technical expertise remains important, but leadership and communication skills often distinguish high-performing professionals.

Courses to consider:

Investing in leadership development can help you expand your influence, increase your impact within your organization, and prepare for future career opportunities.

Your Knowledge Is Your Key

The most successful CPAs are those who continuously learn and adapt. Whether you're exploring the possibilities of generative AI, developing data analytics expertise, staying current on tax developments, strengthening your ethical foundation, or building leadership capabilities, investing in professional development can help you stay relevant in a rapidly changing profession.

This fall and winter, make your knowledge your key to unlocking new opportunities, strengthening your expertise, and preparing for what's next.

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Instructor-Spotlight

Helping Professionals Navigate Complexity with Integrity.

Meet Ken Lewchuk, CPA, an accomplished accounting and ethics educator with extensive experience across public practice, corporate finance, risk management, internal audit, and compliance.

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Ken Lewchuk

As both a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas), Ken brings a uniquely broad perspective shaped by leadership roles in Canada and the United States, including experience with PwC. Holding an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and a distinction-earned MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds, he is a sought-after speaker, university lecturer, and instructor who helps professionals navigate accounting ethics, business ethics, and the rapidly evolving ethical challenges of artificial intelligence.

Learn from Ken as he explores key ethics topics in one of his upcoming live webinars on Artificial Intelligence: Power, Privacy, and Prejudice, Business Ethics: From Enron to Lehman Brothers, Ethics at Our Core, The Art of the Steal: Corruption, Money Laundering and Financial Fraud , Professional and Applied Ethics For Canadian CPAs

PD-Resources

Access Free Professional Resources

Ethical decision-making is at the heart of the CPA profession. Explore these complimentary ethics resources to strengthen your professional judgment, stay current on emerging issues, and support your commitment to integrity and public trust:

Past-Issues

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Reminder

A Few Spots Remain for the In-Person Experience!

CPABC Infinite Conference

Trust at Our Core | November 26-27, 2026 | Vancouver, BC

Join CPAs, business leaders, and industry experts for two inspiring days focused on the ideas, insights, and connections shaping the future of the profession.


Did You Know

Beginning Fall 2026, participants who successfully complete eligible Certificate Programs, Executive Programs, and Professional Development Series will earn a digital badge recognizing their achievement.

More than a symbol of completion, a digital badge allows you to showcase your newly acquired knowledge, skills, and commitment to continuous learning. Share your accomplishment with employers, colleagues, and your professional network, while highlighting the value of your professional development journey.

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