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2008 PD Brochure is Out!
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The current brochure has been mailed out to all members. Check out the webinars, seminars and conferences we have planned beginning is September. The information, as well as the pdf of this brochure, will be available on our new website coming next week.
"Shift Happens"
Annual 2020 Canada Members Conference
Nottawasaga Inn, Alliston
October 24-25, 2008
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Opportunity International
Fund Raising Totals
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Opportunity International (OI) sponsored our Members' Morning Lunch and did a short presentation on the Micro-Financing and the work of their organization.
The response from our 2020 Members in attendance was tremendous. All donations were matched 1:1 by an OI Governor's contribution as well as 0.7:1 match by CIDA, so we raised $9,724, all of which will be used to fund small business loans in impoverished areas in Ghana and Mozambique. If you would like to explore what OI does or contribute to this charity (the fund matching program continues until June 15), please go to www.opportunityinternational.ca or call 416-444-2448 and let them know you are with 2020 Canada - Peggy Tyers,
Thank you so much to all of our members.
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Technology Tip
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Digimemo by Solidtek
The DigiMemo A502 is a
stand-alone device with storage capability that digitally captures and
stores everything you write or draw with ink on ordinary paper, without
the use of computer and special paper. Then you can easily view, edit,
organize and share your handwritten notes in Windows. Place any ordinary paper or notepad on the
digital pad. Write on the paper with the digital inking pen. The
digital pad digitally records anything you write in its built-in
storage device or an optional CF card in real time. One page you write
is stored as one digital page. Cost : approximately $140 |
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 The
Canadian Innovator |
| Greetings!
Blue Skies are Beckoning!
We had our first Members' Morning on May 28 with Chris Frederiksen chairing 4 great presentations by our members with a special presentation on Advisory Services by Mark Holton of Terrigal, NSW, Australia. It was a great morning with lots of discussion. One new member who was at his first 2020 meeting wrote:
"I've never been at a meeting of accountants where everyone was so positive. I didn't agree with everything said but enjoyed the morning."
That is what 2020 is about - sharing ideas, finding what fits with you and moving ahead in your firm.
We have a new inspirational movie send you off with, to think about over a cool one on the patio. This month it is entitled:
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ICAO says NO to
Practice Inspection Webinar
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We have been advised by the Institute that the webinar "Preparing for Practice Inspections" and how to alleviate the anxiety and scramble associated with an inspection cannot be presented as planned for June 10, 2008 at 1:00 pm.
Grant Dickson, MBA, FCA, Director of Practice Inspection, ICAO, e-mailed the decision as follows: "The restriction as set out in the agreement has now been
underscored by recent developments. As part of the harmonization process
on practice inspection across the country, it was agreed this spring that it was
inappropriate for our inspectors to make presentations or be involved in the
development of seminars about the practice inspection process - that the
regulatory side is separate and distinct from the member services side.
What we do provide to the post qualification learning group is a detailed
summary of common deficiencies across the country so that they can ensure that
these matters are covered in their PD course development.
Copies of letters sent to all practising offices each June
are posted on our website setting out matters that firms should address in
reviewing their own standards. The description of the program also on the
website sets out the details of how the inspection program is structured and
conducted.
Please advise 2020
Canada that as an inspector for the
Institute you are no longer able to participate in this seminar."
In reviewing the ICAO Professional Development Course List, we do not find a course like this that will aid CA's in this area.
For all of you who have registered for this course, we will contact you individually and refund your fees.
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Client Surveys
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Do you know: What your clients care about? What your clients' concerns are? How your clients rate your firm? How your clients rate your practice? What other services are your clients interested in receiving? Do you know? OR (more likely) ... Do you think you know? Have you asked them? Unless you ask the questions, you never really know.
The most successful and prfitable practices take the time to listen to their clients to truly add value to their practice. Through the 2020 Group, we have developed a proven methodology of surveying your clients.
How does it work?
We will provide you with a standard letter to
send to your top 50 clients (or more) which have been selected by the partners. The
letter indicates the importance of both positive and negative feedback and that
if they should be contacted over the phone, would they mind spending a few
minutes with a specialist from the 2020 Group.
2020 then personally telephones all of the clients and
summarises the results. Typically the telephone interviewing will cover 90% -
100% of the clients listed.After summarising the results, we will visit your
firm to present the findings to all of the partners. You are also provided with
recommendations gained by covering over 15,000 past interviews. Specifically
this means that you are provided with recommendations as to how other firms
have dealt with areas of weakness and specific client concerns will also be
highlighted.
Please contact us at info@2020canada.ca for more information.
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ICAO Practice Profile Survey
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As you are aware, 2020 sent out a reminder about the mandatory nature of this survey. While the Institute was not pleased that we took that initiative, the results were worthwhile.
Of our 2020 Members, 50% opened it and 43% went onto the survey. Of non-members, 768 (54%) opened it and 462 (60%) went onto the survey.
We helped more than 500 CA's comply with the requirements of the survey. All in a days work.
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We will be introducing our new website in the next week or so. It will have a whole new clean, look and it will be much easier to navigate, to review information as well as sign up for our professional development programs and PD Hour packages.
Sincerely,
Peggy Tyers
2020 Canada
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