It is important to periodically stop and reflect on accomplishments and the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) of Alberta do this through their achievement awards.

I have written about being part of the award process in two previous blogs: ‘CPA Awards & the Public Service‘ and ‘CPA – FCPA Cheat Sheet’ although this time my role is slightly different as I am on the evaluation rather than the nomination committee.

Feeling Either Inspired or Old

Reviewing the Early Achievement Awards I am amazed at the energy and ambition of individuals who are my children’s age.  On the one hand it is inspiration that the world is in the good hands of such capable people; on the other hand you realize that you are getting old when you feel tired simply reading about their volunteer, work and family activities!

An Inspired Rubric

To help me fairly evaluate the submissions I needed a rubric or scoring sheet to complete the evaluations.  The following sections provides my scoring criteria as I go into the review meeting.  Documenting the criteria is my way of externalizing the rubric to self-evaluate as well as share/have-critiqued.  Generally the scoring is out of 5.0 with the following general assignment which is then modified to match specific criteria:

0.  Not Applicable.
1. Met the norms of an average CPA; CPA Award = No.
2. (1+) demonstrated behaviours above norms but these are not exceptional; CPA Award = Likely No.
3. (2+) Demonstrated above average but not exceptional behaviours in many to all areas; CPA Award = Maybe.
4. (3+) Demonstrated exceptional behaviour in one area in particular or strong in many areas; CPA Award = Yes.
5. (4+) behaviour was far and beyond that expected; CPA Award = Definitely.

A ‘5’ has to be for an individual who is exceptional in a particular criteria and normally are not given out.  The scoring for the criteria are averaged on a non-weighted basis.  The examples provided are intended as a guideline as the evaluation process is in of itself subjective.

Early Achievement Award (EAA)

From CPA-Alberta: The Early Achievement Award recognizes CPAs who have had their accounting designation for 10 years or less and have rendered exceptional service to the profession or whose achievements in their careers or in the community have earned them distinction and brought honour to the profession.

Criteria	Description	Scoring Range – Guidelines
1. – >2008	Received CPA after January 1, 2008.	0 / 5; binary value, consider scoring on a gradient = 5-(0.5 x years since designated).
2. – Education	Education or exceptional professional development.	1 = None (e.g. only CPD) 2-3 = Other non-credit courses 4 = Masters, other post-secondary
3. – Volunteer	Commitment and excellence in community or volunteer services	None listed. Minimum. < 10 hours/week and/or self-benefiting (e.g. kids, sales, personal passion). < 15 hours/week, or CPA focused, or selfless, or used unique skills. (3+) more hours and/or exceptional results.
4. – Career	Excellence, innovation or remarkable accomplishment in one’s accounting career	Undertaken typical tasks as a designated accountant. (1+) Demonstrated strong leadership, mentoring, client service, etc. (2+) Supported or was part of the implementation of innovative actions (see 4 below). (3+) Proposed/implemented highly innovative actions that are clearly innovative and have added significant value.
5. – Time Period	Activities undertaken or accomplished since graduation.	Expected activities for someone in the 20-30’s. (1+) meaning above average but not exceptional (2+) Having completed activities many years in advance. (3+) Considerable and exceptional activities.
6.1. – Outstanding	Are the above activities outstanding or remarkable	Activities are typical or within norms for life position and experience. (1+) Activities are noteworthy but not necessarily remarkable. (2+) One or more activities are outstanding. (3+) the individual has undertaken activities significantly beyond norms and expectations.
6.2. – Honour	Honour to the CPA Designation	Activities and actions are those expected of an equivalent CPA. (1+) Other CPAs would note the advancements to the designation made by the individual. (2+) Employers and associates would note the value of the CPA designation’s role in the activities. (3+) Larger society would note the value of the CPA.
7. – Awards	Awards or honorary distinctions	Continues to be a CPA in good standing. Internal work/volunteer awards inwardly focused; presentation in trade or equivalent magazines. Award provided in a larger CPA or societal context. Significant societal, industry or CPA recognition of activities.
8. – Support	Letters and Testimonials	None or only from nominator. (1+) <2 additional letters, or letters are non-committal. (2+) <5 additional letters which are strong and verify the nomination’s claims. (3+) Very strong and compelling letters that provide additional detail and descriptions on the achievement(s).
9. – Rounded	Well-Rounded Person, demonstrates a good all round development as a CPA.  These areas include family, community, work, thought leadership, accounting, etc.	Not provided or person has few interests. (1+) Young family, work and other interests. (2+) Family in addition to demonstrating broad personal rounding in a few activities and life focuses. (3+) Very well rounded and successfully contributes to many areas.
10. – Work	Career Progression, holds a responsible position at or above what would be expected 10 years in the work place (e.g. senior accountant, manager, etc.).	Holds an expected level/position per education/graduation. One to two levels above expectations. Entrepeneur or two or more levels. Significant senior position many years beyond expectations.
11. – Industry	Industry currently working in or having worked in for a large portion of their career.	Public Accounting Firm Consulting Firm Industry Self Employed or Start Up Company Non-profit organization Public Sector
12. – Score	Average of the above	SUM [1 to 11] / 11 and rounded to 1 decimal place
13. – Comments	Rationale particularly for low or high scores.	A short paragraph on the individual proving my (working) opinion on whether the have brought honour to the designation or are simply ‘mehh’.

Distinguished Service Award (DSA)

From CPA Alberta, The Distinguished Service Award recognizes members or supporters of the profession who have demonstrated a significant achievement within the last five years and have therefore brought honour to the profession.

Criteria	Description	Scoring Range – Guidelines
1. – >2008	Activities completed since 2013-01-01..	0 / 1; binary value.
2. – Education	Education or exceptional professional development.	1 = None (e.g. only CPD) 2-3 = Other non-credit courses 4 = Masters, other post-secondary
3. – Volunteer	Commitment and excellence in community or volunteer services	None listed. Minimum. < 10 hours/week and/or self-benefiting (e.g. kids, sales, personal passion). < 15 hours/week, or CPA focused, or selfless, or used unique skills. (3+) more hours and/or exceptional results.
4. – Career	Excellence, innovation or remarkable accomplishment in one’s accounting career	Undertaken typical tasks as a designated accountant. (1+) Demonstrated strong leadership, mentoring, client service, etc. (2+) Supported or was part of the implementation of innovative actions (see 4 below). (3+) Proposed/implemented highly innovative actions that are clearly innovative and have added significant value.
5. – Mentoring	Mentor excellence, by significantly contributing to the development of young CPAs or youth in general.	No obvious involvement and/or CPA Recruitment or CPA Offices in an accounting firm. (1+) Significant firm mentorship and/or leading a CPA Office in industry.  Other equivalent mentoring. (2+) Testimonials of significant personal impact within a firm; large number or overcoming adversity in mentoring; supporting disadvantaged youth pursue a CPA. (3+) unique and innovative methods of promoting financial literacy or a career in business, government, self-employment or a CPA designation.
6.1. – Outstanding	Are the above activities outstanding or remarkable	Activities are typical or within norms for life position and experience. (1+) Activities are noteworthy but not necessarily remarkable. (2+) One or more activities are outstanding. (3+) the individual has undertaken activities significantly beyond norms and expectations.
6.2. – Honour	Honour to the CPA Designation	Activities and actions are those expected of an equivalent CPA. (1+) Other CPAs would note the advancements to the designation made by the individual. (2+) Employers and associates would note the value of the CPA designation’s role in the activities. (3+) Larger society would note the value of the CPA.
7. – Awards	Awards or honorary distinctions	Continues to be a CPA in good standing. Internal work/volunteer awards inwardly focused; presentation in trade or equivalent magazines. Award provided in a larger CPA or societal context. Significant societal, industry or CPA recognition of activities.
8. – Support	Letters and Testimonials	None or only from nominator. (1+) <2 additional letters, or letters are non-committal. (2+) <5 additional letters which are strong and verify the nomination’s claims. (3+) Very strong and compelling letters that provide additional detail and descriptions on the achievement(s).
9. – Rounded	Well-Rounded Person, demonstrates a good all round development as a CPA.  These areas include family, community, work, thought leadership, accounting, etc.	Not provided or person has few interests. (1+) Young family, work and other interests. (2+) Family in addition to demonstrating broad personal rounding in a few activities and life focuses. (3+) Very well rounded and successfully contributes to many areas.
10. – Work	Career Progression, holds a responsible position at or above what would be expected 10 years in the work place (e.g. senior accountant, manager, etc.).	Holds an expected level/position per education/graduation. One to two levels above expectations. Entrepeneur or two or more levels. Significant senior position many years beyond expectations.
11. – Industry	Industry currently working in or having worked in for a large portion of their career.	Public Accounting Firm Consulting Firm Industry Self Employed or Start Up Company Non-profit organization Public Sector
12. – Score	Average of the above	SUM [1 to 11] / 11 and rounded to 1 decimal place
13. – Comments	Rationale particularly for low or high scores.	A short paragraph on the individual proving my (working) opinion on whether the have brought honour to the designation or are simply ‘mehh’.

Fellow – CPA (FCPA)

From CPA Alberta,  The Fellow of Chartered Professional Accountants (FCPA) will be granted to those members who have rendered exceptional service to the profession or whose achievements in their careers, the community, or in the profession have earned them distinction and brought honour to the profession.

Criteria	Description	Scoring Range – Guidelines
1. – Merit	1st impression of meritorious service/achievements bring honour to the profession	An accountant and citizen in good standing but does not stand out. (1+) Perhaps worthy of a DSA but achievements are not those of a lifetime. (2+) Consistent and numerous achievements which in aggregate qualify for a FCPA and/or a few significant and unique achievements. (3+_ An obvious individual worthy of a FCPA.
2. – Education	Education or exceptional professional development.	1 = None (e.g. only CPD) 2 = Masters, PhD Education; Sessional Instructor. 3 = Taught at a Post-Secondary Level at least 5 years. 4 = (2 or 3+) Contributed to Thought Leadership in a significant and consistent manner.
3. – Volunteer	Commitment and excellence in community or volunteer services	None listed. Minimum. 10+ years and/or self-benefiting (e.g. kids, sales, personal passion). (2+) CPA focused, or selfless, or used unique skills. (3+) more hours and/or exceptional results.
4. – Career	Excellence, innovation or remarkable accomplishment in one’s accounting career	Undertaken typical tasks as a designated accountant. (1+) Demonstrated strong leadership, mentoring, client service, etc. (2+) Supported or was part of the implementation of innovative actions (see 4 below). (3+) Proposed/implemented highly innovative actions that are clearly innovative and have added significant value.
5. – Mentoring	Mentor excellence, by significantly contributing to the development of young CPAs or youth in general.	No obvious involvement and/or CPA Recruitment or CPA Offices in an accounting firm. (1+) Significant firm mentorship and/or leading a CPA Office in industry.  Other equivalent mentoring. (2+) Testimonials of significant personal impact within a firm; large number or overcoming adversity in mentoring; supporting disadvantaged youth pursue a CPA. (3+) unique and innovative methods of promoting financial literacy or a career in business, government, self-employment or a CPA designation.
6.1. – Outstanding	Are the above activities outstanding or remarkable	Activities are typical or within norms for life position and experience. (1+) Activities are noteworthy but not necessarily remarkable. (2+) One or more activities are outstanding. (3+) the individual has undertaken activities significantly beyond norms and expectations.
6.2. – Honour	Honour to the CPA Designation	Activities and actions are those expected of an equivalent CPA. (1+) Employers and associates would note the value of the CPA designation’s role in the activities. (2+) Larger society would note the value of the CPA. (3+) Obvious honour worthy of a FCPA.
7. – Awards	Awards or honorary distinctions	Continues to be a CPA in good standing. Internal work/volunteer awards inwardly focused; presentation in trade or equivalent magazines. Award provided in a larger CPA or societal context. Significant societal, industry or CPA recognition of activities.
8. – Support	Letters and Testimonials	None or only from nominator. (1+) <2 additional letters, or letters are non-committal. (2+) <5 additional letters which are strong and verify the nomination’s claims. (3+) Very strong and compelling letters that provide additional detail and descriptions on the achievement(s).
9. – Rounded	Well-Rounded Person, demonstrates a good all round development as a CPA.  These areas include family, community, work, thought leadership, accounting, etc.	Not provided or person has few interests. (1+) Family, work and other interests. (2+) Family in addition to demonstrating broad personal rounding in a few activities and life focuses. (3+) Very well rounded and successfully contributes to many areas.
10. – Work	Career Progression, holds a responsible position at or above what would be expected 10 years in the work place (e.g. senior accountant, manager, etc.).	Holds an expected level/position per education/graduation. One to two levels above expectations. Entrepeneur or two or more levels. Significant senior position many years beyond expectations.
11. – Industry	Industry currently working in or having worked in for a large portion of their career.	Public Accounting Firm Consulting Firm Industry Self Employed or Start Up Company Non-profit organization Public Sector
12. – Score	Average of the above	SUM [1 to 11] / 11 and rounded to 1 decimal place
13. – Comments	Rationale particularly for low or high scores.	A short paragraph on the individual proving my (working) opinion on whether the have brought honour to the designation or are simply ‘mehh’.