Uncommon Sense

The Uncommon Sense podcast profiles Alberta CPAs who prove how diverse and unpredictable careers as CPAs can be. The words "diverse" and "unpredictable" certainly describe the unconventional career path of Nikki Marchiel CPA, CA. In this first part of a two-part series, Nikki discusses how she journeyed from more-typical accounting roles to become a post-secondary educator as well as a resource fo...

It's another on-the-road episode of Uncommon Sense! We popped into the February 21 CPA convocation ceremonies in Edmonton to talk with a number of the successful grads as well as CPA Alberta leaders and other guests. As we wandered through the crowd with our microphone, we came across a lot of excited grads and proud parents, many of whom chatted with us about the value of earning a CPA designatio...

It's another episode in our series featuring members of the first-ever class of Alberta graduates from the CPA program following the unification of the accounting profession in Canada 10 years ago. In this episode, we chat with Dave Doneleshen CPA, another member of that historic class. Dave chats with host Erin Schwartz about what it was like to be part of that inaugural class of Alberta CPAs as...

Uncommon Sense is back with its annual tax tips episode! In Part 1 of this two-part episode, CPA Antonia Stiuca walks listeners through some valuable information that will come in handy when they're preparing their 2024 personal tax returns this spring. If you're wondering if the Canada Carbon Rebate is considered taxable income or how the talk in 2024 about changes to taxes on capital gains might...

In this second half of our two-part tax tips episode for 2025, CPA Antonia Stiuca provides more information and pro tips for listeners as they work on their 2024 personal tax returns. Antonia explains how to claim medical expenses on your 2024 personal tax return, talks about what you can do if you don't get a T4 slip from an employer, and covers a whole lot of other topics related to filing your...

Over the next several months, Uncommon Sense will feature occasional episodes focusing on an historic group of CPAs: members of the first-ever class of Alberta graduates from the CPA program following the unification of the accounting profession in Canada. These CPAs, who crossed the CPA convocation stage in February 2016, were the first in Alberta not to have a legacy designation attached to thei...

In this episode, we wrap up our two-part conversation with Calgary CPA Nadine Niba, a Black woman with a powerful story. Nadine reflects on the importance of mentors, colleagues, and friends to her personal and career success, and discusses the work she currently does to support and mentor Black women and other newcomers who face many of the same struggles she did as a new immigrant to Canada. She...

Calgary CPA Nadine Niba is a CPA from Cameroon whose story of struggle and success as a Black woman immigrant is powerful, inspirational and unforgettable. To mark Black History Month, this episode of Uncommon Sense focuses on Nadine's journey from West Africa to Calgary about a decade ago. Nadine speaks openly about the gut-wrenching challenges she faced as a Black immigrant as well as the resolv...

There's a big debate these days about whether AI is a useful tool or a threat. But there is no debating that AI is here to stay—in business and in our personal lives. In this episode, CPA Stan Korsountsev shares his expertise to unravel some of the mysteries about AI, how it works, and its role in and outside of the workplace.

Conversion of vacant office space into residential housing has become a popular trend in cities across Canada in the years since the pandemic. On this episode of Uncommon Sense, CPA Heather Weir of the Astra Group of Companies talks about her company's experiences in turning vacant office buildings into vibrant housing units; describes the positive economic, environmental, and social impacts of co...

In this episode, CPA David Filewich, the current CEO of CPA Insurance Plans West (CPAIPW), talks about his journey from entrepreneur in the tech sector to leadership of an organization that serves CPAs and their families across western Canada. He offers insights and reflections about entrepreneurship based on his experiences and also provides a valuable overview of CPAIPW and its services to the C...

In this timely episode, CPA Candy Davis introduces us to the complicated and fascinating world of cybercurrencies and provides some valuable tips on how to avoid being victimized in cryptocurrency scams. If you don't know your bitcoin from your non-fungible tokens, then you don't want to miss this episode.

The CPA Western School of Business and its predecessor have educated generations of CPAs in Alberta and across western and northern Canada. As 2025 begins, the School's Executive Vice President of Learning, Lara Greguric FCPA, FCA, joins the podcast to discuss current trends, changes and programming at the School. If you're an employer of CPAs, or if you're thinking of becoming a CPA or know someo...

In this episode, CPA Tina Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Edmonton Community Foundation, chats about career and community with CPA Education Foundation Director Erin Schwartz. Tina discusses her unique career path and how she balances risk vs. reward as a professional. She and Erin also chat in-depth about the important role of the Edmonton Community Foundation, the nature of philanthro...

Special "Streeter" episode, recorded live at CPA Alberta's "Meet Your Employer" CPA student recruitment event on September 6, 2024.

CPA and long-time executive recruitment specialist Joe Gagliardi discusses the best ways for new graduates and young professionals to seek out and obtain the jobs they’ve always wanted in the post-pandemic era.

For many years, Alberta CPA Mark Mowbrey has dedicated much of his time to supporting the restorative justice approach to dealing with young offenders. In this episode, Mark talks about his experiences and the value to the community of restorative justice.

In the final episode of this two-part discussion, Janice Anderson shares her perspectives on businesses achieving sustainability, "greenwashing," and the outlook for the future.

What do CPAs have to do with sustainability in business? CPA Janice Anderson chats with CPA Alberta Senior Vice President Gord Beal about bringing her accounting skills to the area of sustainability reporting for businesses, and how businesses can approach sustainability reporting.

CPA, accounting educator, and raconteur Jeff Herzog talks with CPA Education Foundation Director Erin Schwartz about teaching Gen Z students and the unique circumstances for Gen Z students as they build their careers. (Oh, and they talk about a bunch of other stuff, too.) If you want to hear more from Jeff and are looking for Jeff’s Hot Tips for Time Management (for case writing), you can find it...

Jeff dives into the importance of representation, giving back to the Queer community, and the responsibility he feels, as a gay man, to become an accessible (and visible) mentor for the next generation. If you want to hear more from Jeff and are looking for Jeff’s Hot Tips for Time Management (for case writing), you can find it here: https://vimeo.com/383783797 To find out more about the scholarsh...

Shauna Frederick, a CPA and Family Enterprise Advisor, shares her expertise on financial wellness for entrepreneurs, her work in supporting women and girls, and her unique initiative, The Finance Cafe.

Gord Beal, CPA Alberta’s Senior VP of Outreach, sets the stage for an upcoming series of episodes on sustainability and the future of the CPA profession.

Métis accounting educator and CPA Education Foundation Board Member, Joshua Letendre CPA, discusses his experiences teaching accounting courses to Indigenous students and his work to connect Indigenous Albertans with educational and career opportunities.

Tetyana Litot CPA talks candidly about her immigration from Ukraine to Canada (via Chicago), her path to earning her CPA designation, and her community work to support fellow immigrants from her home country.