The Canadian Accounting Hall of Fame (CAHF) “recognizes and honours individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the Canadian accounting profession or, as Canadians, have made contributions to the development of accounting elsewhere in the world.“

We previously covered the 2021 and 2022 inductees, so this post may be seen as the continuation of a new annual tradition. The 2023 inductees include two “founders” of the profession, whose biographies are as follows:

• Haim Falk moved from Israel to Canada (via the USA) taking positions at three Canadian universities in the years from 1975 to 1993.  However, it is for his extraordinary achievement, as Founding Editor of the CAAA’s accounting research journal Contemporary Accounting Research (CAR) and raising it to the level of a world-class accounting research journal in less than ten years, that he is now honoured.  To accomplish this he took innovative steps, including the establishment of the annual CAR conference.  A second goal for CAR was to encourage Canadian accounting researchers; this too was accomplished, with creative proposals. 
• Al Rosen made two unique and invaluable contributions to Canadian accounting:  he is credited with the formation of the Canadian Academic Accounting Association (CAAA) in the late 1970s, while a professor at York University, and with being the driving force behind moving accounting education from training students to memorize, to getting them to think critically, advocating the use of integrated case-based investigations.  The new educational approach continues following the merger of the three professional bodies: CAs, CGAs and CMAs into CPAs.  Al has spoken and written many articles on education themes and was Education Editor for CA Magazine (1972-1977) and The Accounting Review (1979-1984).

The inductees also include six “leaders” of the profession: Rodney J. Anderson, J. Efrim Boritz, Barbara Carle-Thiesson, Karim Jamal, Monique Leroux and Daniel Thornton. Of those eight, Al Rosen has provided the most material for this blog over the years (see for example here and here). We needn’t revisit any of the comments I previously made; on this occasion we can celebrate that he’s done as much as just about anyone to maintain the profile of accounting and financial reporting as a vibrantly debatable topic. His voice has been heard less often lately; we hope to hear it again and wish him well. Of the other inductees, I think I’ve met two, although I remember one of them mainly for attending a meeting in what seemed to me an excessively unbuttoned shirt. Well, it obviously didn’t hold him back.

Anyway, I do hope you’ll all consider visiting the Canadian Accounting Hall of Fame, because you couldn’t hope for a better day out (plan on giving yourself at least two and a half to three hours for your Hall of Fame experience). My favourite part is Level 1, home to the Gertrude Mulcahy Main Exhibit Hall, telling a story that spans generations from Canadian accounting’s earliest practitioners to the newly emerging superstars of today. In addition to the thousands of items on display (Ross M. Skinner’s smoking jacket! Guylaine Saucier’s childhood abacus!), the exhibits feature films, video, interactive kiosks, and reading material including, of course, plenty of financial statements! (Note – while kids of all ages enjoy the Hall and all that it has to offer, select exhibits may contain mature themes and are labeled as you enter the exhibit area).

Those looking for a bite to eat can enjoy specialty items and grab-and-go food from the newly redesigned Ellen Fairclough cafe on level 2. Visitors can choose from a variety of menu items freshly prepared in the cafe or from the grab-and-go station with salads, wraps and snacks, and gourmet coffee. You’ll also find a select number of tap beers and wines available at the custom bar. Hall of Fame gold star patrons (sign up today!) receive a 10% discount in the cafe. And then on the ground floor, the flagship store is open to all Hall visitors with or without paid admission. The store is jam packed with enticing merch representing a diverse selection of branded specialty items, including apparel, books, posters, housewares, and novelty items for accounting lovers of all genres! Gold star patrons receive a 10% discount on store purchases. And if you continue to be worried about Covid, the Hall applies health and safety precautions including recommended (but not mandatory) masking, daily continuous cleaning, hands-free doors upon entry, hand sanitizing stations throughout the building, and acceptance of credit cards and mobile payment only.

And don’t even get me started on how nice the bathrooms are…

I asked through back channels about my own chances of making the Canadian Accounting Hall of Fame and was told that I’ll make it “when IFRS bound volumes can fly.” Of course, they’re already capable of flying briefly, if you throw them hard enough across the room in frustration, but still, I guess the message was that I shouldn’t get my hopes up. So for the foreseeable future, I’m afraid that none of the enticing merch will carry my likeness. Not even the ashtrays!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.