The Lifetime Achievement Award formally recognizes Fellows of the Chartered Professional Accountants who have continued to render exceptional services to the profession or whose achievements in their careers or in the community have earned them distinction and brought honour to the profession.
2024 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Jim Downie FCPA, FCMA
Throughout his career, Jim displayed the expertise and integrity that raises the reputation of CPAs. His professional skills took him across the globe with Imperial Oil, including to Houston, Texas, where he served as US Production Controller, and to Africa. There, as the Controller of ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Angola, Jim was responsible for overseeing financial activities for the company’s offshore oil and gas operations, as well as the development of the local Controller’s team. Jim’s career culminated in serving as the Chief Audit Executive at Imperial Oil prior to his retirement.
It is a testament to Jim’s character that, during his time in Angola, he committed to learning Portuguese—the main language in the country—in order to better connect with local team members. He also became an active volunteer in the country, joining his team members going onto the streets and markets of Luanda, the capital city of Angola, to participate in projects such as raising awareness of HIV, cleaning up the beaches, and volunteering at orphanages by setting up bunk beds and mosquito nets.
A proud professional accountant, Jim has always been a strong champion of and ambassador for the profession. He served as a member of the board of the legacy CMA body, including serving as Chair and representing Alberta at the national level, and was actively involved in two provinces (Alberta and Nova Scotia, during his time working in Halifax). During his time on the board, his leadership and knowledge was instrumental in advancing the governance model of the organization. He has also been a regular speaker at numerous professional events and conferences. To ensure deserving CPA colleagues were recognized by their peers, Jim served seven years on the CPA Alberta Achievement Awards Review Committee (from 2016 to 2022), including serving as Chair from 2018 to 2022. During his time as Chair, he ensured all committee members were heard and constructive dialogue was held around each nomination. His leadership helped modernize the committee’s and organization’s approach to the recognition process. Jim also served as co-chair of CPA Alberta’s Sector-Specific Energy Advisory Group, which provided the view of Alberta CPAs and gave practical advice on the energy sector competency needs, emerging topics, partnerships, and thought leader identification.
Perhaps Jim’s biggest impact in the profession came through his support of new professionals. He could also always be counted on to share his experiences with those interested in pursuing a CPA career, actively participating in the profession’s recruitment activities. This included helping to create a career fair on post-secondary campuses and creating opportunities for post-secondary students to be placed at Imperial Oil, acting as a judge in governance case competitions for students, and mentoring many young members of the profession during his career.
Throughout all of these endeavours, Jim has been a role model for others in the profession.
How did you feel or what was your reaction when you were first told you were this year's Lifetime Achievement Recipient?
When I received the call to tell me that I was named the recipient of the CPA Alberta Lifetime Achievement Award, I was both surprised and humbled. There are so many CPAs having significant impacts in their careers, the community and the profession. To have my contributions be considered within that group is truly an honour, on its own. One greatest satisfaction we can have is knowing that our actions have had a positive impact on others. With that in mind, I already feel that I have been richly rewarded for my efforts. Achievements are not accomplished alone, many others have helped me along the way and who I’m truly indebted to.
How do you think CPAs have and can impact the province?
CPAs are much more than accountants. Using their disciplined thought process and understanding of business, CPAs hold an important seat at the decision making table in all major business, public and the not for profit sectors. Their knowledge and skills will be essential as organizations adapt to the rapidly changing future.
What accomplishments have made you feel the most alive and why?
The accomplishments that have made me feel most alive or energized, have involved supporting the development of early career professionals. Whether it involves establishing formal programs for career development, mentoring or simply acting as a sounding board you can make a real difference. Seeing others succeed, overcoming barriers and reaching their career goals can be extremely rewarding. It’s also a nice way to pay forward all the support that I have received during my career.
What is one of the greatest things you've learned about leadership?
It is important to create an environment in the organization or team where everybody feels that they have an opportunity to be heard, contribute and be successful. To achieve this you need to invest the time to get to know each of your team members and maintain open two way communications.
What advice would you give to others looking to succeed?
Focus on what you can do for the role and not what the role will do for you. When I take on any opportunity or assignment, be it career, volunteer or service to the profession I want to first understand what impact I can have in the role. I don’t want to just fill the seat, but rather make a real difference. If I can’t do that, then I’m likely not the best fit.
What professional experience in your life do you feel most grateful for?
The opportunity to live and work in Africa for three years was life changing and was certainly one of the most interesting assignments of my career. I enjoyed working with a young organization, in a quickly growing industry that had significant impacts on the country’s economy. At the same time, we had the opportunity to live in a developing county where a large portion of the population faced many significant challenges including poverty and malaria. Through our volunteer opportunities in the community, we learned to appreciate how well everyone looked out for each other when in need, regardless of their own personal situation.
Thank you note.
Real successes that I have had in life have always involved significant contributions from others towards the achievement. This includes mentors, managers, team members, and colleagues. Most importantly it also involved the tremendous support that I received from my family especially my wife Bridget and children Andrew, Jessica and Nicholas.