Beverly Jean Gilbert CPA, CA
Calgary
Professional career
- Chartered Accountant designation (2001). Experienced CPA with more than 30 years of professional experience in tax, regulatory compliance, strategic planning, professional education, and stakeholder engagement.
- National Leader, Commodity Tax, Beverly Gilbert Professional Corporation; practises exclusively in commodity and indirect tax, advising businesses on GST/HST, excise tax, provincial sales tax, motive fuel taxes, tax compliance, reporting, registrations, and dispute resolution.
- President, Micro Gold Cannabis, for eight years; provides leadership in a heavily regulated industry, with significant involvement in strategic planning, compliance, governance, and business decision-making.
- Former National Director of Commodity Tax, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Calgary; led the firm’s national commodity tax practice and advised clients across Canada on complex indirect tax matters, business structures, contracts, accounting procedures, and interactions with federal and provincial revenue authorities.
- Former GST and Commodity Tax Senior Manager, Deloitte Canada; managed and grew the Calgary commodity tax practice, contributed to national planning, reviewed technical correspondence, and delivered training at national conferences
- Former Senior Auditor and Interpretation Officer, Canada Revenue Agency; audited large corporations, interpreted Excise Tax Act requirements, researched policy and precedent, and mentored junior auditors.
- Co-chair of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers indirect tax group, working with government and industry on strategic planning and tax-related issues affecting Alberta and Canada’s energy sector.
- Member of the YYC Study Group and instrumental in organizing the first annual Summit, supporting professional development, technical education, collaboration, and engagement within the indirect tax community.
- Trainer, presenter, writer, and advocate on indirect tax matters for government and industry; has authored numerous technical papers and presented many times at the CPA Symposium and CRA/CPA roundtable sessions in Alberta.
- Extensive experience working with businesses, not-for-profit organizations, industry groups, government officials, and revenue authorities to resolve complex issues and support practical, compliant outcomes.
- Demonstrated leadership in national practice development, strategic planning, technical risk management, professional mentoring, and the development of policies and procedures that support compliance, accountability, and sound decision-making.
- Brings a strong public-interest perspective developed through experience in public service, private practice, and regulated industry, including an understanding of regulatory oversight, professional standards, and the importance of maintaining confidence in the CPA designation.
Candidate statement
I am seeking election to the CPA Alberta Board because I believe strongly in the value of the CPA designation, the importance of effective self-regulation, and the profession’s responsibility to serve the public interest. Since receiving my Chartered Accountant designation on January 15, 2001, my career has combined public-sector regulatory experience, senior professional advisory roles, national leadership in indirect tax, and executive leadership in a highly regulated industry.
As President of Micro Gold Cannabis for eight years, co-chair of the CAPP indirect tax group, and a member of the YYC Study Group involved in launching the first annual Summit, I have been deeply involved in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, government engagement, professional education, and practical problem-solving. I have also contributed to the profession as a trainer, presenter, advocate, and author of technical papers, including presentations at CPA Symposiums and CRA/CPA round table sessions in Alberta.
If elected, my priorities would be to protect the public interest, support strong governance and accountability, maintain confidence in the CPA designation, and ensure CPA Alberta remains responsive to members working in increasingly complex business, regulatory, and technological environments. I would bring a collaborative, practical, and strategic perspective to the Board, grounded in experience with government, industry, professional education, and regulated business leadership.
What do you see impacting the CPA profession, and how can CPA Alberta best respond?
A major issue impacting the CPA profession is the rapid advancement of AI and its effect on education, audit, assurance, regulation, and professional judgment. The new CPA Professional Program is an important opportunity to ensure future CPAs are prepared for this change. The new certification process must carefully address how students use AI in coursework and examinations. There is a necessary balance: candidates should be trained to use AI responsibly and effectively, while still demonstrating the technical knowledge, ethics, skepticism, and judgment expected of a CPA.
AI is also increasingly being used in financial statement audits, which raises important questions for regulators and the profession. CPA Alberta can best respond by supporting clear guidance on appropriate AI use, oversight, documentation, accountability, confidentiality, and the continuing role of professional judgment in audit and assurance work. The profession must ensure AI enhances audit quality without weakening independence, skepticism, or responsibility.
CPA Alberta should work with CPA Canada, educators, employers, audit firms, and regulators to support practical guidance, continuing professional development, and strong standards. By helping members and candidates adapt while protecting the public interest, CPA Alberta can ensure the profession remains credible, relevant, and trusted.
How do your skills and background position you to positively contribute to the CPA Alberta Board and lead the governance of the profession?
My background positions me to contribute meaningfully to the CPA Alberta Board through a combination of regulatory experience, strategic leadership, technical expertise, and service to the profession. I have worked in public practice, government, industry, and professional advisory roles, giving me a broad understanding of the environments in which Alberta CPAs operate.
My experience as President of Micro Gold Cannabis has strengthened my governance, compliance, and strategic planning skills in a highly regulated industry, while my leadership in indirect tax has required practical judgment, risk assessment, collaboration, and engagement with government and industry stakeholders.
As a former CRA auditor and interpretation officer, national commodity tax leader, CAPP indirect tax group co-chair, trainer, presenter, and technical author, I bring a strong understanding of regulation, accountability, professional standards, and public-interest decision-making. I would bring to the Board a practical, collaborative, and strategic perspective focused on protecting the public, supporting effective self-regulation, maintaining confidence in the CPA designation, and ensuring CPA Alberta remains responsive to the evolving needs of members and the profession.