Seminars and events
Connecting corporate directors using satellite television
A national Deloitte initiative has been designed to provide tools to help corporate directors understand tax risk, liability insurance and new accounting rules and regulatory requirements. Through a series of three sessions, called The Directors’ Series, participants in 11 centres across the country will have direct access to Canada’s thought leaders on these relevant issues. Each session includes a high-profile panel of directors, advisors and Deloitte subject matter experts. Polling technology ‘takes the pulse’ of national directors and offers real-time results to questions posed.
On November 18 the topic was “Tax Risk in the Boardroom” and participants learned about assessing, managing and getting comfortable with their company’s tax position. Local director Harry Schaefer shared his expertise at the session.
The second session on December 6 covered an important equation: “Risk - Director's Effectiveness = D&O Insurance.” The focus was on director liability insurance and understanding and managing strategic risk.
The final session on January 12, 2005 will address new accounting rules and regulatory requirements, how to review 2004 financials, and will include a handy ‘need to know’ checklist.
Calgary businesswomen treated to ‘talk show’ inspired event
On September 22 the Deloitte Women's Initiative Network hosted the first in a series of breakfast events for Calgary businesswomen. Over 100 guests listened to three high-profile businesswomen speak about leadership styles and barriers to entry into leadership positions. Our panelists were Jan Campbell of Precision Drilling, Irene Pfeiffer of Moorgate Holdings and Cynthia Simmons of the Haskayne School of Business. The event mirrored a talk show with its panel format. The audience enjoyed hearing three very different styles the panelists have used to help them ‘climb the corporate ladder.’ The next event will be held in March 2005.
Determining tax risk for cross-border transactions
Firm Director John Hollas, Tax Senior Manager Keith Falkenberg, Enterprise Risk Services Senior Manager Craig Trail, and Partner Rob O’Connor from Toronto hosted tax directors at a seminar on October 7 at the Fairmont Palliser. Guests learned about using the mock audit tool to help determine tax risk associated with cross-border, intercompany transactions, and to help assess tax planning opportunities.
Helping to understand changes to U.S. Tax Act
A webinar style event was held for Deloitte clients at the Hyatt Regency on November 8. Our tax group hosted the session and speakers from Toronto presented changes to US deferred compensation to an audience across the country using web cast technology.
In another seminar, Tax Senior Managers Mitch Conaghan, Gary Anderson and Dan Cassidy presented with Partner Dennis Metzler from Toronto on November 25 at the Hyatt Regency. Eighty guests in the audience learned about the new American Jobs Creation Act.
Keeping up with ever-changing reporting and regulatory environments
The popular Audit Seminar Series continued through the fall with three seminars at the Fairmont Palliser. The first in the fall series was held on October 12 and focused on navigating today’s reporting environment. Over 150 attendees learned practical tips and techniques on financial reporting to help deal with today’s constantly changing environment.
On November 26 an audience of 80 learned about variable interest entities and the regulatory environment. The final seminar of 2004 was held on December 13 and covered lessons learned from Sarbanes-Oxley.
Technology Fast 50 and 50 Best Managed Companies Programs
Alberta technology companies double their presence on Deloitte Fast 50 winners list
The Technology Fast 50 is a prestigious annual award honouring the 50 fastest growing Canadian technology companies, based on percentage of revenue growth over a five-year period. This is the only award specifically for technology companies in Canada. Winners of this award vary from size to sector; they include large and small, public and private companies, from all technology industry segments. Alberta winners span many industry segments, including communications/networking, telecommunications, software, wireless, manufacturing, equipment and life sciences.
This year Alberta nearly doubled its contribution to the list, with 11 finalists compared to only six last year. This gain positions Alberta as ranking third following B.C., which slipped to second place with 14 companies from 15 in 2003. Ontario holds the lead position with 16 finalists, compared with 15 last year. One Alberta company (BioWare Corp.) has made the annual list for four consecutive years.
The Alberta companies that made it on the list include:
For more information on the Fast 50 program, visit http://en.fast50.ca.
Six Alberta companies await ranking on 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada list
Being selected as one of the best managed companies in Canada may sound daunting, but Calgary fared well on this year’s 50 Best Managed list. This program recognizes companies operating at the highest levels of business performance. This was by far the most competitive year in the program's 12-year history. Calgary has six winners this year, to be officially announced in January. Sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post and Queen's School of Business, the program celebrates Canadian-owned and managed companies and recognizes the efforts of the entire organization.
Five Alberta companies have joined the Platinum Club, awarded in recognition of outstanding companies that have sustained a standard of excellence and leadership in all areas of their business practices, and have qualified in the award program for at least six consecutive years. This year, Alberta platinum winners include Komex, SMART Technologies, Palliser Lumber Sales, Fountain Tire, and PCL Construction Group.
A celebration for Calgary finalists was held at Divino’s Wine and Cheese Bistro on October 14. National winners will celebrate at a gala and symposium on January 24, 2005, in Toronto.
For more information, visit www.canadas50best.com.
Sponsorships
Diamonds in the rough featured at Women of Influence Luncheon Series
For a number of years, Deloitte has sponsored the Women of Influence Luncheon Series across Canada. These events continue to attract a full house at the Westin Calgary, and the 2004 year wrapped up with two speakers who ‘wowed’ the crowd.
The October 6 luncheon featured Eira Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Stornoway Ventures Ltd. Eira presented her adventures in exploration and shared her tips for success in the speculative world of diamond mining.
Deborah Grey, first Reform Party MP, presented "Never Retreat, Never Explain, Never Apologize" on November 19. A passionate motorcyclist and a regular on This Hour has 22 Minutes, Deborah entertained the audience with her humour and contagious enthusiasm.
For tickets or more information on the series, visit www.womenofinfluence.ca or call 1-800-354-3303.
The Famous 5 - a solid ‘foundation’ for women’s leadership
The Famous 5 Foundation educates and inspires Canadians by celebrating women's achievements, commemorating the Famous 5's courage, tenacity and conviction, and encouraging women's leadership. Deloitte recently became the lead sponsor of a Famous 5 initiative, the unveiling of the $50 bill featuring the Famous 5. This includes a Leadership Luncheon Series, which involves five luncheons between December 2004 and June 2005.
Front and centre with Conference Board of Canada
Deloitte recently signed on as the lead sponsor of the Western Corporate Governance Forum - Shaping Governance Controls to the Organization, to be held in Calgary April 7-8, 2005. The conference is targeted to senior directors and officers, all senior members of finance, operations, corporate communications and legal departments.
Analyzing Supply & Demand: Investing in Oil and Gas
FAS Senior Manager Stuart Parnell acted as Conference Chair for Supply & Demand: Investing in Oil and Gas on October 13-14 at the Telus Convention Centre. Stuart is past president of the Calgary Society of Financial Analysts, the lead sponsor of the conference. Deloitte was a silver sponsor of this event which welcomed 100 chartered financial analysts across North America. Deloitte Principal Jed Shreve was among the 30 high-profile presenters. Attendees learned about broad global trends such as the fundamentals of global supply and demand, the current capital market environment, and regulatory and reserve issues.
Reuniting Deloitte Alumni
On October 26, 150 past partners and employees of Deloitte gathered for the 13th Annual Alumni Reunion at the Fairmont Palliser. At the technical update, Partner and Leader of the Canadian Energy & Resources Group Dick Cooper presented the Value Map. A reception followed in the Crystal Ballroom where alumni caught up with Deloitte practitioners over a gorgeous appetizer buffet.
Another way we stay connected with alumni is through our online directory. This network includes over 10,000 alumni across Canada, 1,000 of which are in the Calgary area. Over 60 new members have joined since July. Get connected online to receive regular updates and to access the Deloitte Alumni Directory, a password-protected and comprehensive business contact system to help you maintain strong alliances with former colleagues and develop new business relationships.
You may already be signed up; call Chandra Hoffman at (403) 267-1834 for more information ,or visit our web site at www.deloitte.ca.
New to the Deloitte team
We continue to strengthen the Deloitte team with new talent:
Pankaj Rai, Manager, Audit
Kathy LeBlanc, Manager, Consulting
Andrew McColl, Manager, Consulting
Tom Feltham, Manager, Audit (ERS)
Dufton Lewis, Manager, Audit (ERS)
Bruce Warkentin, Manager, FAS
Geoff Hill, Senior Manager, Tax
Paul Leroux, Senior Manager, Tax
Theresa Acchione, Manager, Tax
David Cone, Manager, Tax
Ian Gent, Manager, Tax
Stacey Larter, Manager, Tax (Property Tax)
Lanny Watkins, Manager, Tax
Patrice Kirkham, Senior Manager, ICS (HR)
Promotions
Congratulations to our people who have recently been promoted:
Andrea Brownell, Senior Manager, Audit
Karina Guy, Senior Manager, Audit (ERS)
Aaron Noga, Senior Manager, Audit
Denis Perron, Senior Manager, Audit
Anna Roux, Senior Manager, Audit
Lisa Gutierrez, Manager, Audit
Alyssa Quinn, Manager, Audit
Peter Letal, Senior Manager, Tax
Trevor London, Senior Manager, Tax
Alison Howard, Senior Manager, Tax
Jeremy Lee, Manager, Tax
Dave Simpson, Manager, Tax
Kyle Fletcher, Senior Manager, Tax (Property Tax)
Scott Meiklejohn, Manager, Tax (Property Tax)
Richard Bauml, Manager, Consulting
Alain Guilbault, Manager, Consulting
Gina Campbell, Senior Manager, FAS
Katherine Pollard, Manager, FAS
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