CPAs on CPAs: Called to serve

Clare Birks CPA, CFO of the Calgary Food Bank, and Susan Simpson CPA, CA, CFO of the Alex Community Health Centre, each found their professional purpose in the non-profit world. The two finance leaders discuss their paths into the sector, the critical role CPAs play in non-profits, and how their work differs from public practice and industry.

Clare: How long have you worked in the non-profit sector, Susan?

Susan: Just three and a half years. The Alex is my first venture into working in non-profits. I had sat on boards of non-profits as the audit and finance chair for a long time before that. Back in the day, I used to be an auditor, and I did audit a number of non-profits as well. So there’s always been an interest there.

How about yourself?

Clare: I have worked in the non-profit sector for about 20 years now. I started my career in hospitality, did a little bit of time in oil and gas, and then really just fell into non-profit and loved it. I previously worked at the YWCA as a controller and then moved to Theatre Calgary. When I got the call about the Food Bank, it sparked that interest in returning to social services, where you can really be part of the frontline work you’re supporting.

Susan: I was looking for a change of scenery when this opportunity came up. I was blown away by how much the Alex does. I liked the opportunity to not just look after finance… but to have the opportunity to broaden my horizons.

Clare: Yeah, I agree. That’s part of what I love about my role as well—big picture thinking. As a CPA in a non-profit, I think I’m incredibly lucky to be able to get involved in so many differ- ent sides of the organization.

The Food Bank is 100 per cent donor-driven. We rely on Calgary as a community to be able to do what we do, and that’s quite humbling.

Susan: We are almost the opposite; we’re about 85 per cent funded by various levels of government, so we’re not as heavily reliant on fund development.

What would you say is the biggest challenge for you working for a non-profit in general?

Clare: Getting organizations and non-profits to understand that we really should operate as a business with the right controls and the right governance.

Susan: I think that ties in with what I see as one of our big challenges. I think some staff are not super happy that we’re investing in a CFO with a designation, thinking that money could be better used elsewhere, but there is a value to it.

Clare: Absolutely, I see that as well. I’ve heard before that “we’re getting too corporate.” But we need to run like a business so that we can continue to provide the support and services to our clients into the future.

Susan: The stewardship piece is super important. People trust us with their money. Whether it’s donor or government money, it’s still taxpayer money, and you are responsible for that.

Clare: In a lot of businesses, a stakeholder gives the cash because they’re buying something, and then they’re the customer at the end. In our world, cash comes from one side, but the customer is another side. That’s an interesting dynamic.

Susan: And I think this is the difference: frontline staff are very much focused on one side, and admin staff are focused on the other.

Clare: And I still think non- profits struggle to get funders to understand that there is a need to fund administration costs. If I remember correctly, getting admin costs into a grant contract is incredibly difficult.

This learning is on the board side as well. I’ve seen boards…starting to learn that maybe we do need to invest in properly trained people. I think that’s really great.

Is there a difference in culture between non-profit and corporate?

Susan: Absolutely. People in non-profits care so much, and that’s what I love about it. One of our values is that we have grit, and I think that’s super important because you can’t do the work we do without a lot of grit.

Clare: One of ours is we have each other’s backs. We’ve got to have an awful lot of determination to get things done. That is really what has led me to stay in the non-profit sector for so many years—that absolute joy of working with people who truly want to be where they are, doing what they’re doing.

Susan: We did a staff satisfaction survey recently, and the highest score was people’s alignment with the vision and mission. You’re here because you want to be—because what you’re doing speaks to you. That’s what makes going to work great. I love the people I work with. I love the opportunity to learn new things…and to bring in some levels of controls that weren’t there before.

Clare: I agree. I love working with my team. I love that I get this glimpse into the things that I wouldn’t have done if I were just in that finance lane all the time. And it blows my mind that the Calgary Food Bank feeds 800 families every day. Our main warehouse and distribution centre are over the road from our administration offices, so whenever I can, I like to walk over there and be reminded of exactly what I’m doing and why I’m doing it.

Susan: If I have a day when I’m wondering, “What am I doing?”—I wander down to our front reception, and there are always people there, waiting to see a physician or access mental health support or going to the kitchen for food. It’s incredible.

Clare: What advice would you give CPAs considering moving into the non-profit sector?

Susan: Do it. I think maybe even coming in straight from school is good, but getting experience in the corporate world first isn’t a bad thing either because it gives you a different perspective to bring into the organization.

People used to think non-profit work meant low pay, and sure, you might make more money elsewhere, but the rewarding part of the work is what makes it worthwhile.

Clare: I agree. It might not always pay as much as the other sectors, but for me, the work satisfaction far outweighs that.

That sense of value, of making an impact— that’s everything. I go home feeling like I’ve done something that matters.

CPAs on CPAs features candid conversations between two CPAs on a specific topic related to the profession and/or the business world. Some quotes have been cut or edited for length or clarity, but all thoughts and opinions belong to the CPAs.