Controller's Operational Skills Program (November 2025)

This program will be offered as an in-person session, delivered over four days:(times may be slightly adjusted)

November 23, 2025 | 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm*
November 24, 2025 | 8:30 am - 8:00 pm
November 25, 2025 | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
November 26, 2025 | 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

*Check in and refreshments 3:00 pm - 4:00 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.

The Program

This is an in-residence program, and although not mandatory, participants are strongly encouraged to stay on-site. The program cost includes course materials and some meals. The accommodation costs are separate, and will be paid directly to the hotel. See the section below on Accommodation for more information.

Registration Deadlines
Early bird price $3350, available until September 23, 2025.
Regular price $3650, available from September 24 to October 27, 2025.
Registration closes on October 27, 2025.

Thank You to our Sponsor

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.

Accommodation

Although not mandatory, participants are strongly encouraged to stay on-site. We have negotiated special rates with the program facilities - note that the cost of the accommodation is separate from the program fee. You are responsible to make the accommodation arrangement yourself. Please contact the hotel directly as directed upon confirmation of registration. Attendees will pay for their accommodation fees directly to the hotel upon checkout.

Pre and post program dates are not always guaranteed at the same negotiated rates, and rooms outside the conference dates may not be available during peak periods.

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) business 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) business days prior to the program start date – a refund less cancellation fee of $800
• Less than fifteen (15) business days prior to the program start date – no refund and/or credit will be granted. Full program fees will apply.