Controller's Operational Skills Program (May 2024)

This program will be offered as a live virtual session, delivered over four days: (times may be slightly adjusted)

May 26, 2024 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
May 27, 2024 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
May 28, 2024 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
May 29, 2024 | 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

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.

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.

Program Content

• 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. 

Who Will Benefit

Are you responsible for management and financial reporting? Do you want to build upon your operational skills and knowledge of Controllership? Do you want to gain more confidence and be more effective in your role? If you answered “yes”, and if you are either an aspiring Controller or an existing Controller, then this is the program for you.

Terms of Registration & Cancellation Policies

All registrations must be accompanied by payment. Due to limited seating and some pre-work, all registrations should be received no later than 3 weeks prior to the start date. Changes or cancellations to this registration must be made in writing (email is acceptable) to the Professional Development at CPA Alberta, and will be subject to the cancellation policy as indicated below.

We will issue refunds for cancellations based on the following:

• More than thirty (30) days prior to the program start date – a refund less an administrative fee of $100 will be granted upon receipt of written notification.
• Fifteen to thirty (15-30) days prior to the program start date – a refund less cancellation fee of $800
• Less than fifteen (15) days prior to the program start date – no refund and/or credit will be granted. Full program fees will apply.

Is there Pre Work associated with this Program? 

There are approximately 3.5 hours of Pre Work time required for this Program. These Pre-Work hours are already included in the total CPD hours possible

How and where to I access the Pre-Work for this Program? 

All of the Pre-Work, instructions on completion, and agenda can be found through CPA Alberta's Learning Managment Portal.

How many CPD Hours are associated with this Program? 

There are up to 29 CPD Hours associated with this program.

Is there a Certificate available with this Program? 

All participants will receive a downloadable certificate via CPA Alberta’s Learning Management Portal. Upon completion of both the Controller’s Management and Controller’s Operational Skills Program, participants will receive the CPA Alberta Controller’s Executive Program Certificate of Completion.

How many CPD Hours are associated with this Program? 

There are up to 29 CPD Hours associated with this program.

The CPA Alberta 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 can choose to complete only one of these programs, but if you complete both components you will receive a certificate upon completion. Note that these programs can be completed in any order as they focus on separate and distinct skills.