Anishinabekwe becomes Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant of Ontario

By Kelly Crawford

TORONTO – Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario) recognize Helen Bobiwash as a new Fellow (FCPAs).

“My work with Indigenous communities is unique and fairly isolated from other CPAs. The recognition as a Fellow makes me feel like I am part of a larger accounting community,” said Bobiwash.

According to CPA Ontario, “becoming an FCPA is the honour bestowed upon a CPA within the accounting profession. Nominated and selected by a committee of their peers, Fellows exemplify the values that the designation embodies, including integrity, high ethical standards, leadership and community engagement.”

Helen Bobiwash was honoured alongside 54 of her fellow members into the prestigious 1,423 FCPAs in Ontario. This year’s Fellows were honoured by Peter Mansbridge, former Chief Correspondent for CBC New and Anchor of the National. This designation acknowledges an outstanding career and an exceptional leader in both the business and community.

“With their wide and impressive range of skills and experiences, this year’s Fellows represent the very best of the profession,” said Carol Wilding, FCPA, FCA, President & CEO of CPA Ontario. “They are distinguished leaders, visionary innovators and dedicated mentors who have made a significant impact on the communities they live and work in.”

Bobiwash is Principal Accountant at Helen Bobiwash, CPA, an independent practitioner firm based in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, which provides services to First Nations and Indigenous organizations. She was the Fiscal Negotiator for the Anishinabek Nation supporting the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement – the first self-government agreement in Ontario of its kind and the largest in Canada.

“I feel proud to be recognized for my work with Indigenous communities when most CPAs who were recognized work with large, multinational corporations. I feel like my work makes a difference,” commented Bobiwash.

She supports province-wide clients in areas of financial management, reporting requirements, Indigenous financial literacy training and various facilitation activities. Bobiwash is a highly valued member of both Aboriginal Financial Officers Association (AFOA) Ontario and AFOA Canada. She has served as a member of the Anishinabek Nation Credit Union’s Credit Committee, the Ontario Power Authority’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee, and the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat’s Working Partnerships Advisory Committee.

The 55 recipients were honoured at a presentation ceremony and dinner in Toronto on December 3, 2019. To learn more about the 2019 Fellows, please visit cpaontario.ca/fellows .