Meet the New FCAs

Beyond Numbers, Feb 2007 by Folka, Deborah

David M.S. Elliott, FCA

"When the president of the Institute called me, I thought that he'd made a mistake," recalls David Elliott. "I really felt I hadn't done enough to warrant this honour. Given that my brother Robin Elliott, FCA, has even been president of the Institute, I almost said: 'Are you sure you have the right guy?'"

Surprised he may have been, but David has made valuable contributions to the CA profession himself; they include serving terms on the Board of Examiners, the Professional Conduct Enquiry Committee, the Accountants' Professional Liability Task Force, and the Rulings Committee.

A native of Vancouver and graduate of the University of British Columbia, David became a CA in 1973. He joined BC Sugar early in his career and held increasingly senior roles over the years, culminating in his appointment as president and chief operating officer of the operating company Rogers Sugar in 1995. In 1999, he moved to the US to become president of the International Group, a large food wholesaler in St. Louis, Missouri. David left this last corporate role in 2002 and returned home with his wife Anne to enjoy retirement closer to their three children, two of whom are also CAs-son Patrick, who works with Canfor, and daughter Kelly, the new mother of twins in Canberra, Australia; son Dan is a sportscaster with Global TV.

David currently serves as a director and audit committee chair of several of the Hunter Dickinson Inc. group of companies (global mining industry) listed on the Toronto and American stock exchanges. In the community, he has served as a director for a number of public companies and on the boards of the UBC Alumni Association and the BC Cancer Foundation.

"I encourage every young CA to get involved," David says. "Whether it's tutoring, coaching, or raising awareness for a disadvantaged segment of our society, we all have a responsibility to reach out in our communities."

Bob Elton, FCA,

"I couldn't imagine what the phone call from the Institute was about," Bob Elton remembers, "but I am aware of what a rigorous process it is to elect FCAs, and what it means in terms of professional respect from your peers. I am very proud and quite emotional about my election."

A native of England, Bob received a graduate degree in English from Cambridge University in 1973 and joined PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Manchester shortly afterwards. He earned his CA designation in 1976, placing eighth in the national exams. In 1977, he moved to North America, working first in New York and then in Vancouver.

A specialist in business valuations, Bob completed his CBV designation in 1987, the same year he became a partner with PwC. Along with Martin Roberts, CA-CBV, he established the firm's valuation practice and spearheaded the groundbreaking valuation to support the Government of Canada's redress payment to Japanese Canadians for their losses during World War II.

In 1996, Bob left PwC to become CFO of the Eldorado Gold Corporation, a public company with global mining operations. He left this position in 2001 to join BC Hydro, where he served in a variety of roles, including executive VP and CFO, before assuming his current title of president and chief executive officer.

In the community, Bob is currently active as chair of the Canadian Business Council for Social Responsibility and as a board member for the World Business Council for Social Responsibility, the BC Investment Management Corporation, the Vancouver Board of Trade, the World Economic Forum, and Simon Fraser University. He also has a long history of coaching and supporting women's soccer in BC.

"If young CAs bring their values to work, they will never go wrong," Bob says. "I think it is a gift to spend our formative career years in the environment of a CA firm where people ask on a daily basis 'what is the right thing to do?' It shapes how we spend the rest of our lives."

Grayden Hayward, FCA

Grayden Hayward was 19, working in a menswear store, and considering a career in dentistry, when the CEO of a major clothing company suggested that he look into becoming a CA, "because it was so portable."

"I took aptitude tests, found I was suited, and got my designation in 1965," Grayden recounts. "Receiving the news of being elected an FCA was a complete surprise, and I am very honoured to be recognized by my peers."

Grayden is the president and CEO of Carrera Property Group, which comprises several companies with cumulative sales totals that surpassed the $100-million mark last year. His prior work includes serving as executive VP and CFO of the Bentall Corporation; VP of Environment, Government & Community Relations for Transmountain Pipe Line; Deputy Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Culture and Municipal Affairs for the Province of BC; City Administrator in Nanaimo and Kamloops; Assistant Deputy Minister of Transportation for the Province of Alberta; VP and secretary treasurer for St. Lawrence College in Kingston; and treasurer of the Sault St. Marie School Board.