Uncommon Sense

In the episodes focusing on the evolution of accounting education at the post-secondary level, we welcome Dr. Sherif Elbarrad, Dean of Management at Concordia University of Edmonton. With decades of experience teaching, planning and leading accounting education, Dr. Elbarrad has a close-up view on changes in the classroom and how they relate to the workplace and beyond. He discusses how new techno...

In this episode, Alberta CPA and author, Nadine Niba, shares how her own experience as an immigrant inspired her to write her book, called “Quarterback.” The book is a guide to Canadian business culture for immigrants new to Canada, and it offers advice, tips, and positive thinking about how new Canadians can get their careers started and prosper in their new business environment. Let us know what...

Frank Potter FCPA, FCMA dedicates much of his time to raising awareness about the beauty and diversity of Alberta's thousands of natural areas. In this episode of Uncommon Sense, Frank talks about his work to promote natural areas and the importance of using them wisely. He also shares his perspectives on why volunteering in the community can be uniquely rewarding. Frank's own commitment to volunt...

For many accountants, being a CPA isn't simply a 9-to-5 job. Across Alberta, CPAs are lending their expertise and energy to many charitable causes and volunteer projects. On this episode of Uncommon Sense, host Jessica de Groot sits down with Edmonton-based CPA Mark Siderson to talk about his involvement in community-oriented activities--activities that range from volunteering at his synagogue to...

Season 2 begins in conversation with Cheryl Gibson KC, FCPA, FCA, an Edmonton-based accountant and lawyer who has earned the highest honours in both professions. She also happens to be one of Canada's most-distinguished competitive swimmers, having won medals at the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, the Pan-Am Games, and many other competitions. In this episode, Cheryl talks about what it has been...

In this memorable encore episode, CPA Tetyana Litot talks powerfully about her career and life journey from Ukraine to Edmonton, and how she works today to support Ukrainian newcomers to Alberta.

CPA Katherina Richard was a member of Alberta's first-ever graduating class of CPAs following the unification of the accounting profession in 2015. In this episode, Katherina talks about what it was like to be a part of that historic moment and how her life and career have evolved in the decade since she graduated.

Josh Spurrell CPA, CA is the guest on this encore episode, outlining the ins and outs of starting your own small business.

Noted author and financial planner (and CPA!) Robin Taub CPA, CA provides tips and insights for parents on how to make their children money-smart.

BIPOC CPAs Tope Roth CPA, CGA and Meagan Schroeder CPA, CGA talk about how they have built their own, very unique accounting firm.

Artificial intelligence and its potential impact on the workforce are the topics of this encore episode, with guest Rachel Lee CPA. Uncommon Summer is a collection of encore episodes from the first season of Uncommon Sense, and from our previous podcast, Straight From the CPA's Mouth, to help you through the dog days of summer. Enjoy!

Guest Deepa Maisuria CPA, CA, talks about how to be your best, in and out of the office. Uncommon Summer is a collection of encore episodes from the first season of Uncommon Sense, and from our previous podcast, Straight From the CPA's Mouth, to help you through the dog days of summer. Enjoy!

July 1, 2025, marks the 10th anniversary of the unified regulated accounting profession in Alberta. To celebrate this milestone, we're wrapping up the first season of Uncommon Sense with a look back at the unification process that led to the creation of the CPA designation, and the impact of unification on the profession over the last decade. And there's no one better to lead this discussion than...

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis—usually referred to as AGLC—is a crown corporation with a huge, complex, and important mandate when it comes to serving Alberta. As the organization's Chief Executive Officer, Kandice Machado CPA, CMA leads a team committed to effectively regulating alcohol, gaming and cannabis on behalf of Albertans while generating revenues that support charities across the pr...

Jennifer Neal CPA, CMA has dedicated much of her career to roles in the non-profit sector, or, as Jennifer more aptly calls it, the for-impact sector. She derives meaning from her work by helping to create possibilities for others. In this episode, Jennifer describes the work she does with AdaptAbilities, an organization that supports those with disabilities, and reflects on why it's important for...

As part of its annual Elevate celebrations, CPA Alberta hosted the 2025 Chair's Long Service Awards ceremony on May 20. This year's celebration was in the form of a brunch at Edmonton's Fairmont Hotel MacDonald and was held to honour CPAs who had reached milestones of 40, 50, 60, and even 70 years as designated accountants. The Uncommon Sense team dropped into the brunch to chat with many of the h...

To earn one of the CPA Education Foundation's awards is a notable accomplishment for any student. To receive four of those awards, as CPA Sydney Eyre did during her time as a student, is an unprecedented achievement. Sydney joins us on this episode of Uncommon Sense to talk about her multiple-award-winning performance as a student at the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business, her suc...

This episode of Uncommon Sense features Carolyn Graham FCPA, FCA, a 2025 recipient of CPA Alberta's highest honour, the Lifetime Achievement Award. In this conversation with host Chris Pilger, Carolyn discusses some highlights of her distinguished career, her incredible record of board service and other types of volunteerism, and her thoughts on leadership. She also reflects on her experiences as...

If you have ever wondered how the common fruit fly can be used in groundbreaking scientific work (and who hasn't wondered that?), then you'll want to tune in to this episode of Uncommon Sense, featuring guest Matthew Alexander CPA, CA. Matthew is Vice President of Finance and Administration at Future Fields, an Edmonton-based biotechnology company. In this conversation with host Jessica de Groot,...

With over 15 years of experience as an accounting educator and student mentor at the U of A's Alberta School of Business, Trish Stringer FCPA has made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of students. And, her contributions to student learning don't end at the classroom door. She has devoted countless hours to advising and coaching student case competition teams, including many of those...

CPA Cheryl Pereira's career path has taken a sharp turn in 2025—by applying her CPA skills and completing some recent further education, she has moved into the field of psychological counselling. With her training as a counsellor nearing completion, Cheryl is launching her own counselling practice focused on what she calls financial therapy. In this episode, Cheryl talks about what led to her movi...

The Alberta Securities Commission (or ASC) has an important mandate: it oversees Alberta's capital markets and protects the investments of Albertans. The ASC plays a key role in countering fraud in the capital marketplace and educating Albertans on how to protect themselves when investing. In this episode, Brian Banderk CPA, the ASC's Chief Accountant, joins host Gord Beal to talk about the vital...

Many Albertans have heard about the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, better-known as AIMCo. But do you know what AIMCo's role is and what it does on behalf of the province? If you've ever wanted to learn more about this important organization, then this episode of Uncommon Sense is for you. Our guest is Vic Cheema, another of our featured guests in our "First Class" series, profiling mem...

This episode of Uncommon Sense is another in our series of conversations with members of Alberta's "first class" of CPAs, that first group of CPA graduates in Alberta to receive the CPA designation following unification of the accounting profession in 2015. This episode's guest is Donald Meurs CPA, a member of that 2016 class whose career has progressed impressively quickly over the last decade. D...

In Part 2 of our two-part series featuring CPA Nikki Marchiel, Nikki and host Erin Schwartz continue their conversation about financial literacy, how money decisions affect other parts of one's life, and the ways we can teach children how to make smart choices about money and money management. Nikki explains how the phrase "Don't wish for it, work for it" can underpin responsible financial choices...