Executive & Certificate Programs

Controller's Executive Program

Controller's Executive Program Certificate

The CPA Alberta Controllership Executive Program Certificate is a two-component curriculum designed to provide you with the foundation for success. The Controller’s Management Program will focus on management soft skills, while the Controller’s Operational Skills Program will focus on core technical and operational skills.

You have the option to complete either one of these programs. If you successfully finish both components, you will be awarded the CPA Alberta Controller’s Executive Program Certificate of Completion!

Controller's Management Program

As a Controller, you provide financial expertise in your organization and leadership as a key member of the management team. Building on the foundation of your technical skills, your management and leadership skills will take you and your organization to the next level.

2025 registration is opening soon!

Controller's Operational Skills Program

As a Controller, you are expected to be the financial expert in your organization. You are relied upon to produce, analyze and interpret the financial data that will be used by the executive team to make key financial decisions. To excel, you must continuously demonstrate leading-edge knowledge and keen business acumen.

Course Summary

The Controller’s Operational Skills Program is designed to enhance your role on the management team by sharpening your skills in risk management and controls, ethical leadership, planning, budgeting and forecasting, performance measurement approaches and financial reporting. You will explore ways to maximize the effectiveness of your accounting department through staffing and structure, policies and procedures, and process and quality management. You will gain insights into performance enablers for success, with a focus on information management and human resources management and an eye towards trends in Controllership.

Curriculum

The Controller’s Role

A framework for effective controllership
Risk identification, management and controls
Planning, budgeting and forecasting
Performance monitoring and reporting
Financial standards and statutory reporting

Running an Effective Accounting Department

Organizing an effective accounting team (including people and process)
Purchasing and payables
Credit, billing and collections
Inventory planning and management
Cash planning and management

Performance Enablers and the Way Forward

Brief introduction to managing change
Information technology – today and tomorrow
Controller’s role in HR management
Emerging issues and trends
Personal life skills, action planning, and closing

Approximately half of the total program time is allocated to group activity and discussion to build a high level of engagement, sharing of participants’ ideas and general networking.

There are up to 25 CPD Hours, including 4 Ethics Hours associated with this program. Please visit CPD Reporting for more information.

Instructor

Tammy Towill FCPA, FCMA, MBA

Tammy Towill FCPA, FCMA, MBA, is a partner in the Cordura Group and faculty with Capilano University, providing business advisory services and related education and training programs to organizations and communities seeking growth or change. For over 25 years, Tammy has worked with private and public sector companies throughout North America and Europe, providing education, training and facilitating in the areas of leadership, strategy, business planning and curriculum development and implementation. She has served on and worked with several boards in Canada and the US.

Registration: Controller's Operational Skills Program

Date	Learning	Register
November 24 – 27, 2024	In-Person	Controller's Operational Skills Program (November 2024)
April 13 – 16, 2025	In-Person	Controller's Operational Skills Program (April 2025)

Summary