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The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants  Organizations Face Talent Shortage
According to a survey by Deloitte & Touche LLP, attracting and retaining key talent are two top issues facing Canadian and global organizations. In the 2005 survey of human resource (HR) professionals in 1,400 organizations worldwide, 74% of Canadian respondents cited both issues as critical. Globally, 69% cited talent attraction and 66% cited talent retention as critical issues. Work/life balance plays a major role in solving this worldwide problem CA Magazine, Findings, April 2006 CAs Strike Work-Life Balance Options promoting work-life balance are becoming increasingly popular within companies and employers of CAs are no exception. A recent member survey found that the most common program offered gave members the option to leave for personal reasons (67%). Other common programs included those offering employee assistance and flexible work hours (65% each). Less widely offered were the options to work from home (39%), take sabbaticals (26%) and compressed work weeks (25%). CA Magazine, Findings, December 2005 http://www.camagazine.com/index.cfm?ci_id=29024&la_id=1 Tallying up Work-Life Balance Planning to take work along on your winter getaway? If so, you’re in the minority, according to a first-ever study on CAs’ work-life balance by the Ontario institute. Only 25% of more than 2,400 Ontario CAs who responded to the online poll work during their vacation, but more than 70% bring work home on evenings and weekends. Overall, 73% are satisfied or “neutral” with their work-life balance. CA Magazine, Upfront News and Trends, December 2004 http://www.camagazine.com/index.cfm?ci_id=23970&la_id=1 Working out a life By Rosalind Stefanac The quest for a greater balance between work and home life is nothing new. Many companies — including the large CA firms — initiated flexible work policies a number of years ago to address the issue. The question is, are these policies actually helping people achieve that coveted balance? CA Magazine, May 2003 http://www.camagazine.com/index.cfm/ci_id/14125/la_id/1.htm Work Life Balance Strengthens Employee Commitment and Loyalty Employees are increasingly looking for flexibility in the workplace so they can balance the demands of carig for children and/or elderly parents or simply pursuing personal interests. An organization’s intitiatives in meeting these needs have proven to strengthen employee commitment and loyalty, resulting in higher productivity and a better bottom line. CA Practce Advantage March 2005 http://www.cica.ca/multimedia/Download_Library/Services_and_Products/Small_and_Medium_Practices/
CAPA/EN_CAPA_2005_03.pdf First Take Deep Breath In the Face of Stress by Karen Denega Feeling stressed? You're not alone. How does an already overly busy professional deal with stress? In fact, given time constraints, is stress management even possible? This article discussed some steps to better stress management. Checkmark mid October 2009 More than a legacy by Robert Gagnon The accounting profession provides many opportunities for role models and mentors to leave their imprint on others. This article looks at role models and mentors in the CA profession and notes that you are never too old to acquire new role models -- even as you retire. CA Magazine, September 2009 http://www.camagazine.com/archives/print-edition/2009/sep/regulars/camagazine29519.aspx Home Advantage This short article profiles a recent study that notes that Canadian companies could save $50 billion a year by encouraging people to work at home. CA magazine, August 2009 http://www.camagazine.com/archives/print-edition/2009/aug/upfront/bits-and-bites/camagazine28564.aspx Balance or Bust This short article highlights some of the findings of the recent worklife survey. It notes that 96% of responding CAs said work-life balance is important to them and that 82% of CAs surveyed said that work-life balance would play into their decision to leave their employer. CA Magazine, August 2009 http://www.camagazine.com/archives/print-edition/2009/aug/upfront/news-and-trends/camagazine28557.aspx The Value of Interest Interesting work and work-life balance remain the top priorities for young CAs, according to a recent CICA survey. CA Magazine, September 2009 http://www.camagazine.com/archives/print-edition/2009/sep/upfront/news-and-trends/camagazine29299.aspx Calculating work-life conflict Accountants may think they have one of the most challenging jobs out there when it comes to managing work-life stress — particularly coming off of April’s tax deadline. But that may not be the case, according to recent research that examined the behaviours required to perform 126 different occupations. CA Magazine March 2009 http://www.camagazine.com/archives/print-edition/2009/may/upfront/bits-and-bites/camagazine9181.aspx Help Workers Avoid Burnout Tips to help nip the cycle in the bud (the Bottom Line, September 2006) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta Work, Life, Balance By Sonia Maryn Balance. It’s the buzz word of the day. And it applies, without a doubt, to all working professionals, regardless of gender or age. But there’s a special connotation for many women professionals and especially for those with young families. Laura McLeman CA shares her insights into finding the right work/life balance as an early career CA and married mom of two pre-schoolers. http://www.icaa.ab.ca/become/spotlight%5Fu/spring2006.shtml#work Updated version in “Spotlight U” magazine, spring 2006 http://www.icaa.ab.ca/publications/spotlight/spring2005.shtml In “Spotlight U” magazine, spring 2005 Summer Fun, or How to Relieve a Years Worth of Stress in Two Weeks By Sonia Maryn & Lora Zaprianova Essentially, vacations recharge us, allowing us to be more efficient once we get back to the office. That simple truth goes double for professionals, and especially professionals – like CAs – in Norht America, who work more hours than anyone else. http://www.icaa.ab.ca/publications/spotlight/summer2005.shtml In “Spotlight U” magazine, summer 2005 The Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia Understanding Gen Y CAs
Beyond Numbers, May 2008 What the ICABC research reveals about this growing demographic in the CA profession, including their views on work life quality, and the upshot for employers and the ICABC. http://www.ica.bc.ca/kb.php3?pageid=4181 Cover Story: Balanced Living
Beyond Numbers • May 2001 by Michelle McRae, Editor The need for balance “Balanced living” isn’t just a topic on Oprah anymore. In the past few years, the concept has had serious impact on the business world. Provoked in part by the increasingly clear link between stress and illness over the past decade, more and more people are seeking balance in their lives—to reduce their stress levels, to make more time for their families, to give their lives greater meaning. It’s not just those later in their careers who are now seeking balance between their personal and professional lives—many people just starting out are making it a priority from the outset. What does this mean for CA firms? In a tight job market such as the CA profession, firms have to sit up and take notice if they want to attract and retain employees. http://www.ica.bc.ca/kb.php3?pageid=932&term0=work&term1=life&term2=balance Financial Facts and Money Matters: Taking Time Off to Do a Better Job
Beyond Numbers • June 2003 By Thane Stenner, CIM, FCSI Timing is Everything Without time away from the office to pursue new interests, develop family relationships, or simply recharge the batteries, CAs and other professionals run the risk of burning out. http://www.ica.bc.ca/kb.php3?pageid=2050&term0=work&term1=life&term2=balance Feature Story: Getting What You Want from Your Work and Your Life
Beyond Numbers • September 2005 By Deborah Folka, MA, APR Striking the right balance.” “Creating the life that works for you.” “Less stress, more fun.” The self-help section of most bookstores is crammed with books that contain phrases like these—so much so that they've become cliché. Yet there's clearly a need for these kinds of resources. One self-help topic in particular resonates with a large percentage of the population, including busy professionals like CAs: solving the work-life puzzle. With this in mind, the ICABC's Professional Development department will host a full-day “work-life balance Conference” at the Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver on October 5th…. http://www.ica.bc.ca/kb.php3?pageid=3235&term0=work&term1=life&term2=balance The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia Work Life Flexibility Committee eScan e-newsletter • June 2006 A description of the committee follows. http://www.icans.ns.ca/media/documents/ESCANJune2006.pdf |
