A chance to write my own summary of accomplishments for a soon to be bestowed FCPA Award. A challenging activity to say the least in which hubris is offset by modesty.

Becoming a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants (FCPA) is an interesting honour. One the one hand, it is humbling to be recognized. On the other hand, it is something you don’t apply for but which you need to prepare for once awarded.

The start of that preparation was some self-reflection of the dumb luck and opportunities that allowed one to be bestowed this accolade. This was done in the previous blog, Thank You for the FCPA. Preparing that post was interesting. If I was still on the Awards Committee, I would have awarded if it went to someone else. When I think of it being for me, ‘aww-shucks’ kicks in.

Nevertheless, here I am. My peers say I deserve the FCPA so who am I to argue (and I am grateful and humbled).

Writing My Own Summary

Preparing an awards package is a lot of work and the scrutiny of that package is real [1]. The process is also confidential. This means what is said about a recipient is never validated with the person.

As a result, the details that went forward I did not have an opportunity to validate. The information was factually correct but with some minor tweaks. In addition, I would move the focus to items of greater importance to me. Given that this is a public document, the following is my FCPA summary (confirmed with my friend and nominator Jeanette S.).

Frank is a transformative leader whose contributions to public service, mentorship, thought leadership, and community engagement have left a lasting impact. His ability to drive change, and mentor future professionals has strengthened the profession and community.

Frank’s career started in healthcare but has worked for/in international organizations (NATO, UN Agencies, and regional security organizations) as well as the Government of Alberta (2007–2020). He describes himself being a non-traditional accountant relying on the traditions of accounting to help these organizations be successful. In these roles, he was often at the nexus of strategy, technology, planning, and organizational change.

An example of this was leading the groundbreaking 2013 “Stampeding to Help” campaign within the Alberta Government. This effort raised significant dollars for flood relief and was the first time a cross-Ministry campaign was attempted of this magnitude. The achievement was recognized by then Premier Alison Redford.

Frank’s mentorship has empowered young professionals. He has hired 50 interns and cooperative education students and put them through a proven program to prepare them for a career. Many of these individuals now hold senior roles in their respective organizations.

Semi-retired since 2020, he keeps active promoting and protecting Alberta’s natural areas. He initiated an annual report to the responsible provincial Minister on the state of these sites. He accounting background helps to make these reports credible and informative. Concurrently, a passion project is YEGVille.ca, where to go in the metro-Edmonton area for self-propelled activities such as hiking, cycling, paddling, snowshoeing, or skiing.

Accounting is a profession focused on communications. Frank has taken this to heart running multiple websites, a YouTube Channel, and other social media such as LinkedIn. Through these channels, Frank makes his content freely available. Some topics he is most proud of include Anti-Fragile Risk Management, COSO for the Public Sector, Financial Literacy, and best practices in nonprofit and volunteer organizations. On these, and other topics, he has written a dozen articles and hundreds of blogs.

His leadership has extended to his volunteer efforts with CPA Alberta, where he championed initiatives that increased recognition within the profession. Serving on the Achievement Award Nomination and Review Committees (2017–2022), he helped reshape engagement strategies, launched public-sector marketing campaigns, and hosted virtual town halls.

From leading a conservation group to organizing CPA Community Ambassador conferences, Frank’s dedication to service is unparalleled. His work exemplifies the highest ideals of leadership—creating meaningful change without seeking recognition. He is a nontraditional accountant who has benefited and applied lessons learned from the accounting profession.

Introduction Questions

• 1. Why have you chosen the CPA designation?
• I became a Certified Management Accountant because this designation offered a mid-point between the traditional accounting mindset and a MBA.
• I selected accounting mostly because it was logical and balanced – it told the story of organizations.
• The CPA designation has created an opportunity for this blend of the traditional accounting trajectory to be blended with the fast paced evolution of business.

• 2. How has being a CPA impacted you?
  • An Accounting Designation has provided professional credibility as well as opening doors.
  • Although it is a cliche to think of accounts as introverted homebodies, I have found anything but.
  • A designation and an advanced degree, is a calling card that delivers a One-Two punch that makes CPA’s highly competitive.

• 5. What is one of the greatest things you’ve learned about leadership?
  • I was blessed with many exceptional mentors and leaders throughout my life.
  • They have imparted great wisdom which I have taken to heart and converted to something I call a ‘Phrankism‘, here are a few:
  • On Management:
    • The number one rule of management is never do what you can delegate.
      • The number two rule is more important than the first; it is never delegate what cannot be done.
      • In other words, a manager manages but a leader never wishes their problems away on their subordinates.
    • On Accolades:
    • Give away any glory that comes your way to those who serve under you.
    • It belongs to them; if any of the glory you deserve, it will be reflected back to you.

• 7. What professional experience in your life do you feel most grateful for? 
  • To be born where and when I was.
  • I would not have been successful if not for computer technology.
  • Also, I have been blessed with a series of mentors, bosses, co-workers, and friends who have made the journey easy.

• 10. What’s your personal motto?
  • ‘Managed Serendipity‘.

• Thank You Quote
  • Thank you to my wife of 36+ years for putting up with me and sharing this award with me.

Notes and Further Reading

1. There are two awards committees, one to solicit the applications and another to review their merit. I have served on both. See Achievement-Award posts for my methodologies.