Outstanding Achievement Award
For many years now, the title of Fellow of the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec (FCA) has been awarded to members who have rendered outstanding services to the CA profession or whose achievements in their careers or in the community have earned them distinction and brought honor to the profession.
Some of these Fellows continue to make an outstanding contribution as architects of the profession throughout their career. The Outstanding Achievement Award is intended to formally recognize these FCAs, who are also recognized for their determination and leadership as well as their notable community involvement.
The information in the biographies was current at the time it was first issued.
2012 winner
Richard William Pound, FCA
Partner
Stikeman Elliott
Recognized for his expertise in tax litigation, Richard William Pound, FCA, is a partner with the law firm Stikeman Elliott where he practices as a general tax adviser and commercial arbitrator.
Richard Pound graduated from McGill University and Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University), and became a chartered accountant in 1964. He was admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 1968 and the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1980. In the years before he obtained his CA designation, he also trained as an Olympic swimmer and stood on many podiums around the world, winning four medals at the 1962 Commonwealth Games and finishing fourth at the Olympic Games in Rome.
At 36, Mr. Pound was appointed to the prestigious International Olympic Committee (IOC), an exceptional accomplishment given his age. His litigation and tax expertise were considerable assets for the ICO and led him to direct all commercial negotiations related to Olympic sponsorships and broadcasting. At the same time, he advocated for integrity in sport and Olympic institutions. In 1999, as part of his efforts to step up anti-doping controls, Pound founded the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in Montreal. He remained the founding chairman until 2007 and is still a member of the agency’s Foundation Board. His work as the head of WADA earned him the Laureus Spirit of Sport Award. He was named one of TIME Magazine’s most influential people in the world for his anti-doping efforts, and in 2011 was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
His extraordinary achievements have earned him numerous honorary titles and distinctions, including Officer of the Order of Canada and Officer of the National Order of Quebec. The Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec also awarded him the title of Fellow in 2001. Throughout his career, Richard William Pound has always demonstrated integrity and commitment for the common good.
To see the ad published in The Gazette on March 28, 2012 >
To view the presentation of the Outstanding Achievement Award >
2011 winner
Denis Desautels, FCA
Chairman of the Board
Laurentian Bank
Denis Desautels, FCA, was one of Canada’s most renowned auditors general. In this position, he had a major impact on the public sector in this country. Mr. Desautels received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University in 1964, and his CA designation two years later. His career began in Montreal at Clarkson Gordon (now Ernst & Young), where he became senior partner. In 1991, he was appointed Auditor General of Canada. The innovations he put forward during his term of office made him one of Canada’s top auditors general. He was instrumental in the effort to overhaul public finances, requiring greater transparency and accountability of the federal government. His term ended in 2001.
Mr. Desautels is Chairman of the Board of the Laurentian Bank of Canada and sits on the following corporate boards: CARE Canada, Jean Coutu Group, Bombardier and the International Development Research Centre. He also serves on the board of several not-for profit organizations. In addition, he chairs the Accounting Standards Oversight Council of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and participates in several federal government committees and task forces. Throughout his career, Denis Desautels has earned numerous awards and honorary doctorates. In 1986, he was named Fellow of the Ordre, and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2001.
An ardent supporter of efficiency and performance in government institutions, Denis Desautels, FCA, is a shining example to all chartered accountants working in the public sector. This exceptional man’s success lies in his unwavering respect for public institutions and democracy.
2010 winner
Laurent Beaudoin, FCA
Chairman of the Board
Bombardier
Laurent Beaudoin, FCA, Chairman of the Board of Bombardier, received the Ordre’s Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the profession and to the community.
Laurent Beaudoin, FCA, an international figurehead for Quebec entrepreneurship, began his career in Quebec City with the accounting firm Beaudoin Morin Dufresne et Associés and obtained his CA designation in 1961. After two years in the private sector, he joined Bombardier Limitée (Auto-Neige Bombardier) as controller, became general manager a year later and president in 1966. A visionary who believed in the future of snowmobiles, he gave a new direction to the company in the years that followed and diversified into rail passenger transport and air transportation. Today, Bombardier Aerospace is one of the largest civil aircraft manufacturers in the world, and Bombardier Transportation is the world leader in rail equipment manufacturing.
2009 winner
H. Marcel Caron, FCA
The career of H. Marcel Caron, FCA, was marked by stellar achievements whose repercussions were felt throughout Quebec society. In 1964, he became the President of the Ordre’s precursor, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Quebec, and in 1979, accepted the position of President of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. He was appointed a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (ICAO) in 1982 and of the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec in 1983.
H. Marcel Caron is a pioneer of the French-language shift at Clarkson Gordon, which later became Caron Bélanger Ernst & Young, now Ernst & Young. His achievements, combined with his leadership and communication skills, ensured his role as architect of this process.
Reflecting his commitment to society, H. Marcel Caron has served on and chaired numerous boards of directors of professional, artistic and charitable organizations. His contribution throughout his career to the promotion and advancement of the CA profession is remarkable. His many roles include chair of the board of directors of the Corporation de l’École des Hautes Études Commerciales in Montreal, member of the Auditor General of Canada’s Panel of Senior Advisors, Vice-president and governor of the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, director of the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation and treasurer of the Jules et Paul-Émile Léger Foundation.
In 1980, Mr. Caron became an Officer of the Order of Canada and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Université de Montréal in recognition of his dedication to university teaching. In 1991, he received the Gala du Commerce award for his contribution to the social, cultural and economic development of Quebec society. He was also awarded a Mérite Diocésain for the Laurentian region in 2004.
2008 winner
Charles Albert Poissant, FCA
A chartered accountant since 1953, Charles Albert Poissant started his career as a CA student with Middleton, Hope & Co, known today as KPMG. He became senior partner for Quebec, and then for Canada. Later in the 1950s, he became a consultant to Pierre Péladeau and together they built the Quebecor empire. As a professional in an accounting firm, Mr. Poissant would become an important ally in the growth and development of this industry giant.
In 1987 at the age of 62, Mr. Poissant left KPMG to head Donohue Inc., a company that had recently been privatized by the Quebec government and acquired by Quebecor thanks to his negotiating skills. Thirteen years later, this same company would be resold to Abitibi-Paper for $920 million.
In 1996, he was named a Member of the Order of Canada for his significant contribution to the country and to the betterment of humanity. In awarding him this most prestigious honorary distinction, the Government of Canada recognized his like’s work. In 1999, he was also awarded an honorary doctorate of law from Concordia University. Despite being a savvy businessman, Mr. Poissant has always been very generous and loyal towards the community and his profession. For example, he made an exceptional contribution of $500,000 for the Charles-Albert Poissant Chair at UQAM as well as a $225,000 contribution for an eponymous chair at the Université de Montréal. He also left his mark on the affairs of the profession when he served as Chair of the Ordre (1984-1985). An accomplished author, he has published several books, including the highly popular “Réussir – Programmer son succès,” his most recent effort.
