On this episode, Simon Dermarkar, associate professor of accounting at HEC Montreal, discusses the evolving role of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and data governance. Simon emphasizes the critical importance of data as the fuel of AI. He argues that it is natural for CPAs to apply their expertise in assurance and internal controls to the vast domains of digital data and AI-driven processes. By ensuring the quality of data that feeds into AI models, CPAs can play a pivotal role in enhancing the reliability and integrity of technological systems across various sectors.

Simon has poured these insights into his popular course, Audit and Big Data. He encourages students to go beyond the AI tools that simply speed up traditional accounting tasks by understanding how to audit and govern digital data. Through this course, accounting students learn to see themselves as key players in shaping the future of business and information management.

This episode is a must-listen for accounting professionals, students and anyone interested in the intersection of AI, data governance and the future of the accounting profession. Simon Dermarkar shares a compelling vision of how CPAs can become strategic partners in the digital revolution, contributing to a more sustainable and trustworthy information economy.

• Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.
• Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.

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On this episode with Benjamin Alarie, CEO of Blue J and a tax law professor at the University of Toronto, we explore another case study of an AI-driven platform penetrating traditional CPA competencies. Blue J's “Ask Blue J” platform allows professionals to input complex tax queries and receive detailed, sourced responses in conversational language. This shift signifies a move from manual research to a streamlined, AI-enhanced approach.

Tax professionals may feel anxiety towards the incursion of this powerful AI tool into their field, but Alarie argues that Ask Blue J complements rather than replaces human expertise. By automating early research stages, AI frees advisors to focus on strategic tasks like analysis and client advice, thus bolstering their role in the advisory process.

The conversation explores serious issues in AI integration into tax practices, such as data privacy, security, and ensuring the accuracy of AI advice. Additionally, the episode digs into the thorny ethical and legal questions of who is ultimately accountable for the advice this AI offers. Is it the AI company or the CPA who relies on it?

Listen now for insights on AI’s transformative potential and the need for CPAs and tax professionals to grasp AI's opportunities and challenges in tax advisory, emphasizing the necessity for adaptability and continuous learning.

To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:

Foresight: The CPA Podcast

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To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:

Foresight: The CPA Podcast

CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative

CPA Canada English

CPA Canada (Français)

On this episode, Ryan Meyers, chief product officer at Manifest Climate, discusses how Manifest Climate, helps companies measure their sustainability efforts against regulations and see how they stack up against others. The platform uses AI to quickly check a company's reports against 50 regulatory standards, offering detailed comparisons and identifying where improvements are needed. Manifest Climate offers a case study in how artificial intelligence can be applied to the challenge of sustainability reporting and strategy. This is especially helpful for small and medium-sized businesses that might struggle to meet international sustainability standards due to limited resources.

While Manifest Climate doesn't rely on large language models (LLMs) for its core function, this technology is layered onto what the program is able to deliver to clients. Ryan Meyers talks about the potential benefits and drawbacks of using LLMs when summarizing and analyzing large amounts of data for compliance purposes. He stresses that while AI can be an amazing assistant, human judgment is crucial –especially for complex decisions.

Ryan Meyers shares a vision of how AI could make sustainability efforts more effective, and more achievable for small and medium sized companies. This episode is a valuable listen for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals eager to leverage AI for a more sustainable future.

• Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.
• Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.

To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:

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On this episode, Jean-Sébastien Charest, chief information officer at the Business Development Bank of Canada discusses Canada’s productivity crisis. Canada’s labour productivity, which is measured by the real gross domestic product (GDP) by hours worked across the economy, has been compared with the United States and other advanced economies, and Canada is lagging behind.

Charest believes one key factor to Canada’s falling productivity is the underinvestment in new technologies, particularly the hesitance of Canadian businesses to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), especially among small and medium enterprises where AI adoption is slowest.

Canada is ranked 20th among 35 OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries in AI adoption, so Charest outlines a practical “three horizon” strategy for AI integration to help these Canadian SMEs catch up.

This episode is a useful resource for any entrepreneur, business leader or professional looking to boost revenue and cut costs. Listen now to learn how AI can help close Canada’s productivity gap and its role as a transformative tool in reshaping the country’s businesses and economy.

We are continuing our conversation on Generative AI, often referred to as Gen AI, with Cathy Cobey, FCPA, global responsible AI co-lead at EY, to explore the potential risks that come with introducing this new technology to the accounting profession. Cobey brings extensive experience working on the ethics and control implications of AI and other autonomous systems. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the capabilities and limitations of Gen AI and how it falls to the CPA to ensure the origin, accuracy and reliability of the data and information, while also advocating for robust governance and transparency surrounding the use of this technology.

Episode 2 also touches on the evolving regulatory standards regarding AI in auditing and financial statement preparation. Cobey concludes with a realistic yet optimistic outlook on AI's role in accounting, stressing the importance of trust and control mechanisms in adopting and leveraging this technology effectively. Listen now to learn some valuable insights on navigating the new dynamics of AI as a CPA.

To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:

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• Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.
• Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.

We’re kicking off season six with Sree Balakrishnan, partner at Deloitte Canada, and Zohaib Akhtar, senior manager on Deloitte’s Omnia AI team, as we explore how the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be shaped by the evolution and adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI). Our guests bring their extensive experience working with CFOs and finance professionals to the table to discuss how Gen AI is moving beyond mere automation to become a strategic partner in enhancing productivity, controlling costs, and driving revenue growth.

Balakrishnan and Akhtar discuss Deloitte's latest findings, which highlight that an overwhelming 94% of companies are betting on AI for their success strategies. They discuss the way businesses can continue to embrace innovation and maintain control in the financial sector.

Listen now as they peer into the future and imagine a world where the role of the CFO expands beyond finance and describe how CPAs can update their skills to help capitalize on the adoption of Gen AI.

To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:

Foresight: The CPA Podcast

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• Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.
• Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.

On this episode, Shreya Verma Mair, CPA, senior associate at ESG Global Advisors discusses the launch of the new International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) sustainability disclosure standards and their impact on sustainability reporting. While for many, this is seen as a major and unsettling shift in the way we manage reporting standards that may cause panic, Verma Mair says this is an opportunity for CPAs – if they’re prepared.

Verma Mair believes that it is imperative for CPAs to get up to speed with ESG insights and scenario modelling to understand how climate risks can impact company value. As companies are required to merge sustainability reporting with their financial disclosures, it will be up to CPAs to lead that charge and work with other professions like actuaries and engineers to better quantify climate-related risks.

• Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.
• Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.

To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:

Foresight: The CPA Podcast

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CPA Canada English

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On this episode, Annie Veillet, the national Intelligent Automation practice leader at PwC Canada dives into the rise of generative AI and what it means for the accounting profession. Will these tools replace CPAs? Veillet doesn’t believe so. Hear her thoughts as she discusses how these tools are being used internally at PwC, as well as addressing the very real concern about the reliability of generative AI.

Veillet envisions a future where the relationship between AI and humans is collaborative: generative AI can take a larger role in financial analysis and auditing, but it will always require human oversight to authenticate data outputs. With that legwork done, CPAs will have an opportunity to utilize that data to provide additional insights and have more informed conversations with stakeholders.

To learn more about Foresight: The CPA podcast or CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative visit:

Foresight: The CPA Podcast

CPA Canada's Foresight Initiative

CPA Canada English

CPA Canada (Français)

• Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.
• Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.