About The Entrepreneurial Chartered Accountants of Calgary

Why Choose an ECA Member / Executive Members

We are an informal group of Chartered Accountants with most of our members being sole practitioners, partners or senior staff of a small C.A. firm. However membership is open to all C.A.'s in good standing, including those in industry.

We have regular monthly luncheon meetings and our luncheon speakers have covered a wide variety of topics, for example, special skills among our members, accounting computer programs, typical fee and collection methods and tax issues.

We also offer technical sessions often focusing on tax matters. Besides these advantages we offer opportunites for group buying, referrals, staff sharing and social functions.

Our Purpose

It is our mandate to provide a forum for discussion and liaisons among our members. Members are encouraged to discuss their concerns with their professional peers and attempt to resolve them. Professional development continues to be an on going issue.

History Of ECA

The ECA was formed in the fall of 1988, when two Calgary Chartered Accountants (CAs) recognized the need to develop closer professional relationships with other CA practitioners. Larry Hooge and Doug Ringstrom founded the organization because they realized the benefits of getting together with a larger group to discuss common issues. Besides Larry and Doug, the first group of practitioners included Brian Ware, Bob Maertens-Poole, Bob McGregor, Ron Onishenko, Morris Reef and Jane McKinnon.

Based on an eager response to a mail campaign_,the group had twenty members in 1988. The first meeting, held in the Central Library, included the creation of committees and executives. The first executives were: Doug Ringstrom, President; Larry Hooge, Secretary; John Hallam, VP/Treasurer; Jim Broadwell headed the Constitution Committee and Mike Shaikh handled Programs.

Originally the group met on an after-five basis. In 1989, the meeting times changed to luncheons and an administrator, Brenda Stephenson, was contracted.

Increased membership has brought innovation. In 1991, Ken Cudmore organized the first Saturday morning development workshops. The workshops have continued to offer timely education on such subjects as computer programs, GST, E-mail, and December year ends.

In 1992, the ECA Newsletter, THE SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE, was introduced by Jerri-Lynn Morrison. Carol Sadler soon added her time and support to get the paper out on time.

In 1993, Ken Cudmore introduced our first client workshop to fifteen participants. Also, in 1993, we held our first annual golf tournament and children's Christmas party.

Part of our mandate has always been to create a voice with the governing Institute for Chartered Accountants. We offer honorary memberships to any council member serving for Calgary. Through our efforts with the Institute, we hope to enhance their understanding of the concerns and issues of the small CA practitioner. We also hope to develop an appreciation of the challenges the Institutes face in implementing our requests. We recognize the need for the Institute, want to support it, and have it support us.