Example:

Question 1: Professional and Ethical Behaviour

a) Describe a time when you had to negotiate conflicting professional values in

executing your work, with specific reference to: • the specific values; • what was at
stake for all involved; • what you did; and • how you decided that this was an
appropriate course of action.

Me and my manager had conflicting ideas on how to recognize revenue based on the timelines our client
had. I was told to use a method that I felt might have been unethical and may have tax implications that
may cause the valuation of tax payable to be incorrect. I felt by using the method that is suggested will
cause unfaithful presentation of the financial statements. If I ignore the situation and listen to the manager
then I will be going against Integrity and Due Care which is one of the CPA values. Our client who's file we
were working on was at stake because as a CPA firm we need to make sure our client is represented 100%
ethically. I approached the firm partner and explained that the method I am asked to use does not line up
with ASPE of IFRS and that I don't feel comfortable applying it. I felt as a professional employee and a
future CPA that I need to address the issue to the partner as though it can put me in a negative situation. I
had two options: 1) Going to the partner and talk to them about my concern. The pros for this option will be
that the partner is notified about the practices that might be going around at the firm and by going to the
partner my concern will be heard. The cons of going to the partner would be that I might ruin my
relationship with the manager and may result in a negative atmosphere for myself. 2) Speak to the manager
and try coming into an appropriate conclusion. Pros for this option is that the problem stays between myself
and the manager and the cons will be that if we don't come to an appropriate conclusion, our relationship
might be hindered.

b) What impact did your course of action have on all involved?

My firm partner made modifications to the procedures and had an open discussion with my manager and
myself and explained what we should do next time a similar situation arises. Because the client we were
working on was a private corporation, we were suggested we used the guidelines under ASPE on how to
recognize the revenue. 

c) If confronted with a similar situation in the future, specify: • What would make it easier
for you to act; and • What you would do differently.

I would act in a similar way because if I don't bring it to the partner's acknowledgement, then the firm can
be acting unethically. By acting this way, we were all able to have an open discussion and come to an
agreement so therefore the firm is leading towards better practices.
Question 2: Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
A level 2 proficiency response must include all of the following:
 Identify the CPA value impacted
 Provide more than one alternative solution
 Analyze each alternative - list the pros and cons for each option
 Ensure the conclusion is consistent with the analysis
 Identify what else you can do to further improve your enabling development

a) Describe a time when you solved a problem or made a decision in the workplace, with specific reference
to how you: • defined the scope of the problem; • collected and verified relevant information; • performed
appropriate analyses; • integrated information to investigate each potentially viable solution or conclusion; •
recommended and justified a solution or conclusion; and • used creativity and innovation during the
problem solving or decision making process.

While working at the accounting firm, I was faced with a similar problem of hiring a qualified
staff like most of other accounting firms are faced. Hiring has become a fundamental problem
for almost every accounting firms these days. The leaders and senior accountants are at the
corner of retirement and firms should be ready to fill that vacancy immediately after staff
retirement otherwise it will damage company’s performance.
One of the senior staff in our company was retiring within a year and I was given the task to
cover up for his work once he leaves and until a new staff is recruited for that position. This put
me in tremendous pressure because I have been working with this firm for two years now and
suddenly working at a senior position would affect current performance.
So I started spending time with the retiring senior accountant to get to know his work. This
would give me an idea if I was able to do it or not. After spending some time with the retiring
accountant, I decided to meet my manager and discuss this situation with him.
In a meeting with my manager, I told him that I will not be able to perform the tasks of senior
accountant and advised him to hire another staff for that position. In reply he said that it is very
time consuming and expensive to find someone for that position which is true in the financial
industry. At that position no one will quit working with their company and join your company
unless you pay huge amounts in salary.
After considering all the facts, I advised my manager to outsource that position for now until we
find another staff for that position.

b) What impact did your solution or conclusion have on your organization?

When we outsourced the senior accountant position, it did not bring down the company’s
performance because the third party company had experienced professionals who could easily
perform the tasks we wanted for that positon. Moreover, I was left to focus fully on my current
position and was given time to get trained for the senior position. Additionally, outsourcing was
way cheaper than hiring a new staff because new staff would require huge salary, employment
benefits, insurance and more.
c) What did you learn from this experience and how will it influence your future behaviour?

I learned that every big problem has a solution if you can implement it rightly. Through this
experience I learned that it is very important to understand the problem thoroughly before
taking any action and coming up with solutions. It is also important to discuss your situation
with your peers before making a decision like I did with my manager. I will definitely take the
same steps if faced with similar problems in the future.

Question 3: Communication
A level 2 proficiency response must include all of the following:
 Identify the CPA value impacted
 Provide more than one alternative solution
 Analyze each alternative - list the pros and cons for each option
 Ensure the conclusion is consistent with the analysis
 Identify what else you can do to further improve your enabling development

Writes and speaks to enhance work performed

a) Describe a time when your communication, either written or oral, enhanced your work. How did it do so?

The company I worked in is very diverse, people from different cultural backgrounds work here.
People at work will always want to work along with people who share the same background and
culture as theirs. This creates problems for the company because the manager wants to
communicate to his workforce as one cohesive team. Therefore, it degrades client’s expectations
and company’s performance.
In order to increase company’s performance, I advised my manager to mix people of different
backgrounds together so they can understand each other, therefore communicating easily and
perform the tasks more efficiently. By doing so, we achieved efficiency at work as everyone was
able to understand each other easily when communicating which helped the firm in fulfilling
client’s expectations on time.

b) How did your organization benefit as a result?

As a result, less time was used by employees to communicate with each other which overall
increased efficiency in the organization. Employees now would easily understand each other and
willing to work with any one in the organization.

c) What did you learn from this experience and how will it influence your future behaviour?
Through this experience I learned that communication is a crucial part of the organization and in
order to make it beneficial, the managers in each company should take all steps to make it
effective. In the future, I will make sure that all employees understand the importance of
communication in firms.

Question 4: Self-Management
A level 2 proficiency response must include all of the following:
 Identify the CPA value impacted
 Provide more than one alternative solution
 Analyze each alternative - list the pros and cons for each option
 Ensure the conclusion is consistent with the analysis
 Identify what else you can do to further improve your enabling development

Engages in professional development

a) What are your career goals for the next three-to-five years?

In the next three to five years, I am looking to be a partner in the accounting firm where I am
currently working.

b) What have you done to achieve these goals and what role have others played in helping you achieve
these goals?

I have worked extremely hard to achieve these goals. My education and work experience
helped me achieve these goals. Additionally, my parents, my professors and colleagues have
also played a vital role in helping me get here.

c) What will you do to achieve these goals and what role will others play in helping you achieve these goals?

I will continue to work hard to achieve my goals while seeking help from my mentors and
professors. I will complete my CPA designation which is my greatest goal while learning new
stuff everyday at work to move up in the organization.

Question 5: Teamwork and Leadership

A level 2 proficiency response must include all of the following:
 Identify the CPA value impacted
 Provide more than one alternative solution
 Analyze each alternative - list the pros and cons for each option
 Ensure the conclusion is consistent with the analysis
  Identify what else you can do to further improve your enabling development

Works effectively as a team member

a) Describe a time when, as a member of a team, you worked with others to achieve a particular objective.
What challenges did you encounter and how did you overcome them?

While working in a group for one of our clients, we were preparing financial statements when
we were faced with a problem. After completing all the work, we realized that the total
expenses have been understated by $700. The trial balance amount (provided to us by client)
was different than the one on actual receipt and after double checking we found out that the
number on trial balance is wrong and that expenses has been understated.
Now working in a group, we had different opinions from each group member. One of the
member said that since it is not a material error, therefore we should not make any changes
and submit the financial statements as it is. Few other group members agreed with him while
other don’t. Another group member advised to discuss this the client and proceed according to
their decision.
Finally, I reminded the team of integrity, one of the core values of working as an Accountant.
The moment I said the word integrity, all team members gladly agreed with me and than we
decided to present financial statements that were free from error. Therefore, we changed the
amount of expenses and made financial statements accordingly.

b) What did this experience teach you about yourself and others?

This experience taught me to always listen and appreciate the advises of team members but
always work with integrity.

c) Having gone through this experience, what would you do differently next time?

If faced with same problems next time, I will make sure that all group members are fully aware
of the CPA core values and therefore should provide suggestion within accordance to these
values.

Summary Questions
1. Identify key competency areas (enabling and/or technical) you will focus on developing or
improving between now and your next meeting with your mentor. What is your action plan for doing
so?

When I am working on something I focus too much on it since I always complete my tasks with full
enthusiasm and professionally. However, this leads to a little more time consuming and away from
other work going on in the office. I am managing this by creating deadline for every task so I can
achieve on time.
2. Looking back at your experience captured in this report, in which competency areas (enabling or
technical) do you feel most confident in your abilities and why?

My team members have always enjoyed working with me and they would always refer to me as an
excellent team player. I belief that I am more confident by working in a team because to me it looks
really interesting. The most interesting part of working in a team is that everyone looks to the
situation through their own perspectives and bring different ideas and solutions to the problems.
After putting all ideas from the group members on the table, I have the ability to choose the best
solution in the group and most of the time everyone agrees with me.