Industry News
In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.
Associations
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
Canadian Associations
Chartered Professional Accountants Canada | CPA Canada is a members’ collective offering career and professional development as well as myriad resources for CPAs. Check out their Practitioner’s Portal for practical advice and resources.
PBA Canada | The PBA Society of Canada is committed to promoting accounting to and for a diverse group of professionals. They offer networking opportunities as well as education; investigate their educational partners and the courses those partners offer.
Association of Tax and Accounting Professionals | ATAP’s offerings for registered tax and accounting professionals in Canada include continuing education, peer-to-peer networks, and the ATAP blog, where you can find a wealth of resources and industry news.
Canadian Bankers’ Association | The CBA is the voice of more than 60 domestic and foreign banks that help drive Canada’s economic growth and prosperity. Investigate their focus sheets, which reveal layers of customer needs and demographics pertaining to the financial services industry.
Financial Planning Association of Canada | The FPAC promotes the evolution of the financial services and planning industry into a trusted and high-quality profession, with members who adhere to the highest ethical and fiduciary standards, and focus on bettering the lives of all Canadians.
Accounting Standards Board | The Accounting Standards Board is “an independent body with the authority to establish accounting standards for use by all Canadian entities outside the public sector. They serve the public interest by establishing standards for financial reporting by all Canadian private sector entities and by contributing to the development of internationally accepted financial reporting standards.”
Association of Canadian Financial Officers | ACFO-ACAF represents more than 5,000 finance professionals employed in the public sector, advocating for fair treatment, labor transparency, and practical solutions to fiscal challenges.
Canadian Academic Accounting Association | The CAAA is a collective of professionals dedicated to research and education about accounting and finance. They publish two quarterly journals, Contemporary Accounting Research and Accounting Perspectives.
Investment Regulatory Organization of Canada | This pan-Canadian self-regulatory organization overseeing investment dealers and trading activity on Canada’s debt and equity marketplaces.
Investment Industry Association of Canada | The IIAC is “the leading national association representing investment firms that provide products and services to Canadian retail and institutional investors.”
International Associations
Association of International Wealth Management | The AIWM is a non-profit association based in Switzerland that seeks to promote education in the global banking industry and focuses on identification of customer needs and wants in order to serve customers more thoroughly. Check out their Certified International Wealth Manager certificate.
Financial Management Association | The FMA is a global leader in developing and disseminating knowledge about financial decision making. They have resources for academics, doctoral students, MBA students, practitioners, and more. They also run the Diversity Emerging Scholars Initiative, which promotes diverse early career scholars in the profession.
International Investment Funds Association | The mission of the IIFA “is to promote the protection of investment fund investors, to facilitate the growth of the investment funds industry internationally, to act as a medium for the advancement of understanding of the investment fund business around the world, and to encourage adherence to high ethical standards by all participants in the industry.”
International Accounting Association | The INAA is comprised of hundreds of independent accounting firms. It offers general and IT consulting as well as expert advice on legal matters. Read more about its benefits for members here.
Magazines & Trade Journals
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
CPABC in Focus | CPABC is the voice of the accounting profession in BC. Published six times a year, it discusses professional matters facing the accounting profession, from changes in tax standards to ethical dilemmas.
Pivot Magazine | The magazine of the CPA, Pivot Magazine provides features on CPAs innovating in the industry, gives practical advice for consumers, and articles on issues facing accounting such as money laundering and sustainability reporting.
ABA Journal | This magazine, published online, is run by the American Banking Association. It provides a look at current trends, developments, and products in financial services.
American Banker | American Banker covers the latest in trends, developments, and innovations in the American banking industry, providing an excellent overview of financial topics and analysis of market opportunities that will help independent financial advisors and wealth managers gain a foothold in the industry.
Consultant & Other Websites
MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.
PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.
Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.
- Accounting Industry Profile
- Wealth Management Industry Profile
- Investment Management Profile
- Private Equity Industry Profile
- Sales and Trading Industry Profile
- Accountants
- Financial Planners
- Financial Services Brokers
- Financial Analysts
- Financial Consultants
Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre | This free resource created by the Vancouver Public Library is an online and in-person resource that helps newcomers to Canada find information to get a job, explore different careers or start a business.
Blogs & Discussion Forums
Blogs
The Reformed Broker | The Reformed Broker, run by New York City-based financial advisor, writes about markets, politics, economics, finance, and culture, with a pinch of sarcasm and a dash of humour.
Abnormal Returns | Abnormal Returns, written by Tadas Viskanta, who has over 25 years of experience in the financial sphere, aims to educate about best practices in finance and accounting.
Disruptive Finance | Disruptive Finance is a personal blog about the revelations and revolutions technology has caused in financial services. Despite the author’s location in the UK, those looking to break into finance will find global applicability in topics such as how bankers can think like entrepreneurs and the transformation spurred by fintech.
The Finanser | Chris Skinner of The Finanser writes about everything fintech, finance, banking and technology. His blog posts signpost the future of the financial services industry, as they range from how banks can help solve the climate crisis to coverage of the WEF forum at Davos.
Insightful Accountant | The Insightful Accountant provides a wealth of information on everything accounting, from recent industry news to new accounting technology.
Accounting Today | Among its offers (on accounting, technology, taxes, and auditing), Accounting Today’s website provides a dedicated “profession” section where accountants can read about how to level up their careers and where to continue their education.
Podcasts
Modern Financial Advisor | Host Mike Langford explores topics related to business optimization in the financial services and wealth management industries, with a variety of guests explaining how they’ve grown their financial services businesses and how to succeed in the industry.
The Advisor Lab | The Advisor Lab confronts the changes in the financial advising industry head-on, with conversations about gaining and retaining clients, innovative marketing and conversations, and thought experiments from successful leaders in the industry.
Conversations for Financial Professionals | Dominique Henderson, CFP, explores the intersection of financial literacy, economic empowerment, and personal and career development.
Cloud Accounting Podcast | Cloud Podcast provides a weekly roundup of the latest news in accounting technology, designed for accounting practice leaders serving small businesses.
Accounting Best Practices | Accounting Best Practices covers a variety of topics related to best practices in accounting, from processing pass-through payments to valuing intangible assets to technical accounting.
The Successful Bookkeeper | The mission of The Successful Bookkeeper is to help small business owners in bookkeeping and accounting increase confidence and grow their businesses. Weekly, inspiring guests share their journeys through the industry and ingredients for success.
TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.