Accounting for the Future

Closing entries: 2025 in review and takeaways for the year ahead Dec 10, 2025 37:48 As we close out 2025 at Accounting for the Future, this final episode brings together the standout insights around how Canadian businesses are navigating uncertainty. Host Anne-Marie Henson highlights the key conversations that stood out and insights that will continue to shape business strategy well into the year ahead. Some of the topics we revisit include: How uncertainty in public markets

Leveraging audit data analytics for strategic insight Nov 19, 2025 28:18 How can audit teams turn data into a strategic asset? This episode of Accounting for the Future explores the real-world impact of data analytics on the audit profession. Host Anne-Marie Henson welcomes Dominic Chow, Head of Operations, Technology Risk Assurance at BDO Canada, for a candid discussion on how analytics is reshaping audits. They explore how technology is enabling auditors to move bey

Cybersecurity risk management as a strategic business priority Oct 30, 2025 36:43 In this milestone 50th episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson and Rob Philpotts, a Partner in BDO's Cybersecurity practice, explore how cyber threats have evolved into a strategic business priority for organizations of all sizes and offer actionable advice for CFOs and finance leaders. They also cover the impact of geopolitical activities on cybersecurity, real-world exam

Protecting business value: Strategies for sustainability and resilience Sep 25, 2025 35:52 As climate volatility and new regulatory pressures escalate, business leaders are increasingly framing complex strategic decisions through the lens of sustainability and resilience. In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson, Partner, National Industry Leader, sits down with Simon Hutton, National Sustainability Leader, to discuss how organizations are integrating sust

Rethinking the ROI of organizational learning Aug 21, 2025 40:13 Learning and development (L&D)—is it just a cost centre, or is it a performance lever, retention strategy, and competitive advantage for your organization? Join host Anne-Marie Henson on Accounting for the Future as she explores the value of L&D with Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning and Development Officer at BDO Canada. They unpack the evolving dynamics between CFOs and learning, why innovatio

Breaking barriers: What CFOs need to know about Canada's interprovincial trade landscape Jul 31, 2025 33:03 What do interprovincial trade barriers mean for Canadian businesses and what's changing? In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson sits down with Jonathan (Jono) Kalles, Vice President of McMillan Vantage and former advisor to the Prime Minister, to unpack the implications of Bill C-5 and how the interprovincial trade landscape is evolving in Canada. From the removal o

Working with your board Jul 24, 2025 40:03 How can you communicate effectively with your board and turn them into one of your most valuable strategic assets? In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by Anthony Marinelli, Board Chair and Partner, Assurance-East Leader at BDO Canada, and Janet Boyle, Independent Board Member at BDO Canada and Senior Vice President at RBC. Together, they unpack how CEOs

Going private: Why companies are exiting capital markets and who's buying them Jun 10, 2025 27:56 In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by Sunil Sharma, National Leader of Transaction Services and Private Equity at BDO Canada , to unpack what's fueling the rise in companies going private. They discuss how current market conditions, including interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty, and undervalued assets, are influencing M&A activity in 2025. The conv

Unlocking value in the finance function May 22, 2025 39:32 In today's evolving market, finance leaders are moving beyond traditional back-office functions to become strategic leaders and value creators. Anne-Marie sits down with Jesus Ballesteros and Charlotte Zhen of BDO's value creation team, to explore how the modern CFO is transforming into a chief value creation officer—aligning finance, operations, and strategy while leading digital transformation t

Scaling AI in the manufacturing industry Apr 24, 2025 30:00 Host Anne-Marie Henson sits down with Paul Dostaler, BDO's Partner and National Manufacturing and Distribution Leader, to unpack how manufacturers can move beyond pilots and start scaling AI effectively. They explore the current pace of AI adoption in Canada, the roadblocks many businesses face, and what's needed to realize long-term ROI. The episode features data from Momentum: BDO's Manufacturin

The evolving impact of women in leadership roles Mar 7, 2025 32:13 Host Anne-Marie Henson welcomes two of WXN's Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada: Shilpa Mishra, Managing Director and National Leader of Capital Advisory at BDO, and Alyssa Barry, co-founder of irlabs and President at Alliance Advisors. They discuss navigating male-dominated industries, the power of authenticity and allyship, and how economic uncertainty impacts their roles. The conversation ex

Navigating political uncertainty: Cash flow forecasting and scenario planning for Canadian businesses Feb 13, 2025 33:28 In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson, Eastern Canada Markets Leader, sits down with Daniel Ma, Partner, Valuations & Modeling, to discuss the challenges of navigating political uncertainty following recent tariff announcements by the Trump administration. They explore the potential impact on Canadian businesses and share proactive strategies for managing risk throug

The importance of standard setting - Part 2 Jan 23, 2025 26:54 In part two of this two-part mini-series, host Anne-Marie Henson welcomes back Armand Capisciolto, Chair of Canada's Accounting Standards Board, BDO alumnus, and former host of the Accounting for the Future podcast. In this episode, they delve into the significant changes that have occurred among different standards, the importance of optionality in standard setting, as well as the impacts of cry

The importance of standard setting - Part 1 Jan 9, 2025 20:04 Host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by Armand Capisciolto, chair of Canada's Accounting Standards Board, BDO alumni, and former host of the Accounting for the Future podcast. They discuss the importance of accounting standards, the process of setting them, and Canada's influence on international standards. The episode also highlights how standards improve financial information and the role of stakeho

Cybersecurity on the rise Oct 31, 2024 23:57 In this episode, host Anne-Marie Henson explores the growing realm of cybersecurity threats with guest Sacha Blasiak-Priestley, BDO's National Leader of Cloud Security. They discuss some of the biggest cybersecurity breaches this year, including Christies, London Drugs, and AT&T. The conversation uncovers the lasting operational and reputational impacts of cyber attacks, AI's intricate role in cyb

Enhancing productivity: Data-driven solutions for audits Aug 29, 2024 28:08 Learn how technology, particularly AI and data-driven solutions, is revolutionizing the audit profession, leading to enhanced productivity. Host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by Paul Vetrone, Innovation and Change Director at BDO Canada, and Youssef Hounat, VP of Product at DataSnipper. Together they discuss the integration of innovative technologies in auditing, emphasizing the shift towards more e

What should business leaders expect from their auditors? LIVE in Oakville Jul 18, 2024 28:43 Auditors can provide value beyond the numbers through practical solutions and advice on governance and regulatory changes. In a special live episode, guest host Mary Mathews is joined by Anthony Marinelli, Assurance-East Leader and Chair of BDO Canada's Board, in a discussion on how the role and expectations of auditors have evolved and how business leaders should select auditors. They also discus

AI governance: Navigating innovation in the boardroom Jun 13, 2024 28:43 AI holds immense transformative potential for revenue optimization. Yet, governance, ethical considerations, and continuous monitoring cannot be undermined for responsible and effective AI implementation. Guest Achille Ettorre, Advisory Board Member at Queen's University, TedX presenter, and Faculty Member and Executive Consultant at the International Institute for Analytics, joins our conversatio

Strengthening your foundations: Internal controls for public companies May 9, 2024 27:14 Having robust internal controls is necessary for accurate financial reporting. In this episode, host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by Michael Crolla, Partner and National Capital Markets & Public Company Services Leader, and John Asher, Partner and Risk Advisory Services Leader in Western Canada. Drawing from their experience, they discuss the current Canadian regulatory landscape for public compani

Navigating the Complexities of Fraud Prevention Mar 20, 2024 27:08 Navigating the complexities of fraud prevention and detection in your organization is critical. In this episode, host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by Alan Mak, Partner and National Leader of BDO's Forensic Disputes & Investigations, and Mary Mathews, Partner in BDO's Accounting Advisory Group. Drawing from their expertise, they delve into the pervasive issue of fraud in today's financial landscape,

Bill S-211 – Forced Labour in Canadian Supply Chains Feb 22, 2024 30:40 How can Canadian companies prepare to comply to Bill S-211? In this episode, host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by Pierre Taillefer, Partner and National Sustainability and ESG Leader at BDO Canada, in a discussion on the evolving landscape of ESG reporting and compliance. He sheds light on regulatory requirements in Canada, specifically, Bill S-211, highlighting the importance of understanding and

AI in the Finance Function Jan 18, 2024 30:13 From enhancing audits to streamlining processes and predicting financial outcomes, AI is here to empower the finance function. In this episode, host Anne-Marie Henson is joined by David McKellar, a Partner and key leader in BDO's Innovation & Change team and Senior Leadership Team, to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the accounting and finance function. Together, they explore

Leading the Finance Function of the Future Jan 4, 2024 29:52 Despite the effects of the great resignation, there is still appears to be a scarcity of financial talent. In our latest episode, host Anne-Marie Henson, Partner, Eastern Canada & SMB Leader for Markets & Industry Canada, and Barbara Palmegiani, National Leader for CFO Services at BDO Canada, explore the challenges of hiring and retaining financial talent and the evolving role of CFOs, emphasizing

What is Audit Quality? Dec 7, 2023 23:27 Audit quality is a key issue for the interest and governance process of both auditors and companies. In today's episode, host Anne-Marie Henson, Partner, Eastern Canada & SMB Leader at BDO, welcomes BDO's Head of Global Audit Quality, Nazia Lakhani for a look at the importance of quality assurance, the challenging power of CSQM1, recent changes in assurance and quality standards and what the futu

Revisit: Putting the G in ESG Nov 23, 2023 40:22 The speed of movement surrounding ESG changes is continually increasing and can't be ignored any longer. In today's episode, host Anne-Marie Henson, Partner, Eastern Canada & SMB Leader at BDO, is joined by Mary Mathews, Partner in BDO's Accounting Advisory Group, to discuss the rapid pace at which ESG standards are being implemented and the impact that it can have on companies. They then turn to

Revisit: Raising Funds in a Tough Market Nov 9, 2023 26:05 Over the past year, increasing interest rates, high inflation, and the threat of recession continue to affect the ability to raise funds. In today's episode, host Anne-Marie Henson, Partner, Eastern Canada & SMB Leader at BDO, is joined by Mary Matthews, Partner in BDO's Accounting Advisory Group. Together, they discuss key points of raising funds including the importance of data transactions and

Revisit: The Great Resignation and the Finance Function Oct 26, 2023 43:57 In this season of the Accounting for the Future podcast, we feature three timely, previously aired episodes with additional insights and background information, in addition to three brand-new episodes. In today's episode, host Anne-Marie Henson, Partner, Eastern Canada & SMB Leader at BDO, is joined by Mary Matthews, Partner in BDO's Accounting Advisory Group. Together, they reflect on the impact

How to Make Your Financial Statements Say What They Mean Jun 8, 2023 28:26 Financial statements should ideally tell the right company story and provide meaningful information. Still, increasingly complex IFRS requirements have resulted in financial statements that can be both overwhelming and lacking in useful information. In today's episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson, BDO Partner, is joined by BDO Accounting Advisory Group Partner and return po

Reshoring as a Strategy May 25, 2023 31:38 With unprecedented supply chain shortages, exorbitant shipping costs, and scrutiny over sustainability, companies are questioning whether importing is best to ensure their company's long-term growth and viability. In today's episode of Accounting for the Future, host Anne-Marie Henson, BDO partner, is joined by BDO Canada's Director of Operational Improvement, Charlie Reid, for a conversation abou

The ever-changing role of the CFO May 11, 2023 42:30 The CFO of the past may have been focused on the past, but the CFO of today needs to be focused on the future. In today's constantly changing environment, there is a greater demand than ever for competent CPAs and forward-thinking CFOs. In today's Accounting for the Future episode, host Anne-Marie Henson, BDO partner, sits down with Pamela Steer, President and CEO of CPA Canada. Together, they d

Learning from the crypto breakdown Apr 26, 2023 29:53 Cryptocurrency is a hot topic in today's world, but is the crypto apocalypse here?  How is crypto impacting BDO clients and businesses?  What are some concerns surrounding crypto, and what considerations should a company looking into investing in cryptocurrencies be aware of?  On today's Accounting for the Future episode, host Anne-Marie Henson, BDO partner, is joined by Mary Matthews, BDO Ac

What's Next for Accounting for the Future Mar 30, 2023 28:37 Today host Anne-Marie Henson, BDO Partner, and co-host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and leader of accounting advisory services, team up one last time to explore their changing roles as well as some trends that are impacting both of their new roles. Together they discuss the role and importance of private equity, its relevance in today's accounting environment, an

Getting our head into the cloud Mar 16, 2023 34:24 Cloud transformation is changing the way that data is handled today, but what does that mean from an accounting standpoint? To help understand the impact, cost, and many benefits of cloud transformation, host Anne-Marie Henson, BDO Partner, and co-host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and leader of accounting advisory services, are joined by Feng Liu, BDO Lixar's Hea

Private Equity in the Mid-Market Mar 2, 2023 33:24 Every business owner must face their exit at some point, and those who think about planning their exit strategy in advance are likely going to experience a better transition than those who leave it to the last minute. Today, host Anne-Marie Henson, BDO partner, and co-host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and leader of Accounting Advisory services welcome Sunil Sharm

Putting the G in ESG Feb 16, 2023 34:24 We hear a lot about the environmental and social aspects of ESG, but what about governance? Many companies have already implemented some ESG policies, but there may still be an overwhelming amount of work to be done. Today, host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and leader of accounting advisory services, is joined by current co-host and future host of the Accounting

The Acceptance of Non-GAAP Measures Feb 2, 2023 36:34 Financial statements are more than just a compliance document, they're also a communication tool. But what message are you communicating with hard to understand, vague, or overly complicated financial statements? Host, Armand Capisciolto, is joined by Anthony Scilipoti, Founder, President and CEO of Veritas Investment Research and board member of the Capital Markets Advisory Committee of the In

Exploring the Private Equity Landscape Jan 19, 2023 25:52 Private equity is everywhere these days, regardless of your location or firm size. This episode features a conversation from BDO's internal Assurance Conference. At this conference, Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and Accounting Advisory Services Leader, met with BDO Assurance partner Ian MacDonell, and BDO Valuations partner Amanda Tso. Together they discussed the

Life of a Public Company Dec 8, 2022 31:11 Many private companies consider going public as the finish line, when in reality, it is simply the starting line for an entirely new life with deadlines, board members, investors, and regulations that have to be answered to. In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and Accounting Advisory Services Leader, sits down with Ale

Director Responsibility for Climate Risk Management Nov 24, 2022 42:16 Climate risk management is a hot topic in boardrooms today. Organizations around the world are actively talking about climate change risk management and what that looks like in their governance structure, strategic plans and financial reporting. In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and Accounting Advisory Services Leader

Accounting for Going Green Nov 10, 2022 27:34 Around the world, companies are working to achieve net-zero, and BDO is no different. But why is this an accounting issue? This week, we welcome Mary Mathews and Braham Moondi, both Partners in BDO's Accounting Advisory practice. Together, they discuss the role that accountants play in moving companies toward net-zero and best practices for approaching specific considerations along the way. What

Mitigating Risk in Mergers and Acquisitions Oct 27, 2022 27:33 Whenever you have down markets in a recessionary environment, you are likely to see an increase in litigation, particularly in the M&A space. What are the key moves that companies can make now to avoid surprises — and potential litigation — when preparing for M&A? In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and Accounting Advis

Issues Before and After Acquiring a Business Oct 13, 2022 33:16 With lingering uncertainty in a post-pandemic market and increases in both supply and demand, worldwide M&A opportunities have reached trillions of dollars. To highlight issues that companies are facing both before and after acquiring a business, in this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and Accounting Advisory Services Leade

Choosing the Right GAAP Sep 29, 2022 28:55 Following the right Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) provides a communication and deal-making tool to help move your business plans forward. Opportunities in today's volatile marketplace come and go quickly, and those who have put in the work of advanced planning will be prepared to seize opportunities as they arise. In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Armand Capiscio

Raising Funds in Tough Markets Sep 15, 2022 18:38 Despite the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 were extremely busy years in the active capital markets with a host of companies going public and successful funds raised. So far, 2022 has presented a slowdown in the public markets, but what does that mean for early-stage companies that are looking to raise money now? In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Account

Taking a Company Private Sep 1, 2022 29:14 An impressive number of companies have gone public in recent years, but the benefits of being a public company are not always available to certain companies during a period of economic uncertainty. Does it make more sense to take a public company private? In this episode of Accounting for the Future, host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and leader of Accounting Advi

Mitigating the Impact of an Economic Downturn Aug 18, 2022 22:31 With inflation rates at their highest since the 1980s and unprecedented interest rate increases, companies are left wondering what steps they can take to mitigate the impact of the current economic environment. In this episode, host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and leader of accounting advisory services, is joined by Kevin Meyler, national leader of BDO's Busine

Sustainability and Financial Reporting Aug 4, 2022 28:31 Forward-thinking companies are working toward sustainability and increasing their focus on environment, social, and governance practices. Environmental and social issues are now business issues, but what is the impact of these efforts on financial reporting? In this episode, host Armand Capisciolto, BDO's National Accounting Standards Partner and leader of Accounting Advisory services, is joined b

The Great Resignation and the Finance Function Jul 21, 2022 34:03 This week we welcome Barbara Palmegiani, Partner and CFO Services Leader with BDO Canada, to talk about the significant impact The Great Resignation is having on the already lean finance profession. There is no formula to guarantee employment, but through transformation businesses can keep up with the future of the finance function. Spoiler alert: it's about more than technology. What You'll Hear

Navigating the Sustainability Reporting Landscape - Part 2 Jul 7, 2022 32:30 With compliance conversations heating up, sustainability reporting and options for meeting requirements continue to be top priorities for proactive businesses. This is the second part of our conversation with BDO partners Andrew Buchanan, BDO's Global Head of IFRS and Corporate Reporting, and Christopher Tower, BDO USA's ESG Strategy and Services Leader. Together they explore key sustainability re

Navigating the Sustainability Reporting Landscape - Part 1 Jun 30, 2022 22:48 Sustainability reporting is gaining momentum - and fast! Businesses that aren't already thinking about their ESG strategy are at risk of falling behind their competitors. To unravel some of the details regarding sustainability reporting around the world, in this two-part conversation we welcome BDO partners Andrew Buchanan, BDO Global's Head of IFRS and Corporate Reporting, and Christopher Tower,

Accounting For Scale Up Jun 16, 2022 32:55 This week, we welcome Anne-Marie Henson, BDO partner from our Montreal Office. Anne-Marie works with public companies, as well as many technology companies in both the start-up and scale-up stages. We discuss the difference between a scale-up and a start-up, why taking time to think over investment decisions matters, and a few success stories of companies who understood the benefits of investing

Welcome to Accounting for the Future! Jun 9, 2022 02:30 In this show Armand Capisciolto, BDO Canada's National Accounting Standards Partner, will take his everyday strategic conversations to the studio. In each episode, he'll uncover the challenges financial leaders face as they navigate change to achieve business growth.

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