Doing Business in Alberta

Upcoming Events

May 29, 2013 – Calgary
Energy Visions business forum 2013
PwC is hosting its fourth annual Energy Visions business forum in Calgary. The event will feature a moderated debate by global analysts and industry leaders on Canada’s potential to become an energy superpower.

The discussion will centre on Canada’s ability to capitalize on its abundant resource base and make decisions that affect not only the energy industry, but also the country as a whole. Speakers include Reynold Tetzlaff, National Energy Leader, PwC; Steve Williams, President and CEO, Suncor; Robert Johnston, Director, Eurasia Group; Edward L. Morse, Managing Director and Global Head, Commodities, Citi Research; Robert Skinner, President, Kimacal Energy Strategies Ltd.; Michael Levi, David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; Ted Morton, Executive Fellow School of Public Policy, University of Calgary; and Catherine Murray, Co-host and Anchor, BNN (Moderator). The speakers and debaters will highlight Canada’s potential energy superpower position by reviewing four core areas: price realization; external geopolitical influence; a stable domestic policy environment; and technology capacity. Visit the Calgary Energy Visions website for more information.

May 30, 2013 – Edmonton
Energy Visions business forum 2013
PwC is hosting its third annual Energy Visions business forum in Edmonton. You will hear findings from global analysts and industry leaders on Canada’s current trajectory and its potential to become an energy superpower.

An energy superpower is a country that is both resource rich and able to leverage the full potential of those resources, both at home and abroad. To take advantage of its full potential, an energy superpower must excel in various areas. The findings will focus on four: price realization; external geopolitical influence; a stable domestic policy environment; and technology capacity. Visit the Edmonton Energy Visions website for more information.

June 6, 2013 – Calgary
Alumni Spring Gala
Our annual spring reception celebrates PwC’s Calgary alumni and another great year for our city. Alumni will be reconnecting with former colleagues and friends over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel. Contact us for more information.

If you haven’t already joined PwC Connect, be sure to do so by visiting www.pwcconnect.com. PwC Connect not only enables you to share, collaborate and stay in touch with other alumni and PwC employees, but also informs you on thought leadership, alumni sessions and local events.

Recently held events

May 15, 2013 – Calgary
Putting US GAAP in motion
Recent developments for applying US GAAP
PwC hosted a US GAAP focused breakfast session for those applying or interested in applying US GAAP. The purpose of our ongoing series with focus on US GAAP is to address issues of interest to such companies including FASB, SEC and Canadian Securities Commission developments relevant to US GAAP filers. At the session, we discussed professional, technical and regulatory updates; accounting hot topics; new accounting standards and project updates; and SEC hot topics.

May 15, 2013 – Calgary
Outsmarting fraud
Effectively safeguarding your organization
During difficult economic times, the incentive to commit fraud increases while the focus on prevention and investigation typically diminishes. At PwC, protecting your business is part of our business. We know that while the economic landscape suggests things are looking up, no organization is immune. At a breakfast session, our experts spoke about assessing your risk level and process; identifying areas that are most exposed to fraud; how to deal with fraud once discovered; and safeguarding against future fraud.

May 1, 2013 – Calgary
Putting IFRS in motion
Recent developments for oil and gas financial reporting
In this instalment in our ongoing series of breakfast sessions, we addressed some of the recent developments under IFRS for Canadian companies with an oil and gas focus and recent regulatory developments relating to financial reporting. Our goal was to identify these matters in a clear and comprehensive manner, providing tips and updates to help you post-IFRS implementation.

April 23, 2013 – Calgary
A return to BC PST
Optimizing your tax planning
In August 2011, a majority of B.C. voters decided to extinguish the HST. On April 1, 2013, B.C. PST returned in substantially to its old form with some noted changes. Alberta-based organizations that carry on business in B.C. need to be aware of these changes and make sure that they are in compliance. Our breakfast session reviewed the changes, the exemption and refund regulations to help make sure organizations are complying with the new rules.

April 18, 2013 – Calgary
The cloud and IT risks – silver lining, or storms ahead?
PwC’s Audit Committee Connect event series
In today’s environment of cost containment, it’s no surprise that companies are turning to the cloud. With servers, applications and email, the cloud seems to have it all. Supporters say that it replaces the need for companies to maintain their own separate (and costly) IT infrastructure. Substantial savings, instant access and scalability can sound almost too good to be true. Are we trading data security and integrity for cost savings? Leading experts came together to explore the business opportunities and uncertainties of the cloud and the future of cloud computing for audit committees and the companies they oversee.

April 17, 2013 – Calgary
April 19, 2013 – Edmonton
Cyber Espionage
Discussion of cyber security trends and best practices
The theft of intellectual property from companies is a growth industry. The number of cyber attacks is on the rise, not just from criminals but also from state-lead actors and online activists. Our team of experts commented on current security event trends and facilitated a discussion on identifying vulnerabilities, making practical improvements in your security posture. Our breakfast sessions included a security incident simulation as well as a discussion of cyber security trends and best practices.

April 9, 2013 – Calgary
Transfer Pricing executive series
No weak links: Managing the transfer pricing function within your organization
Ivan Williams, PwC Alberta Transfer Pricing Leader and guest speaker David Nickson, PwC US Principal and Global Leader of the E2E Transfer Pricing Practice for PwC, discussed best practices around transfer pricing execution as well as practical suggestions for implementation.

March 22, 2013 – Edmonton
The 2013 Federal Budget Review Breakfast
No weak links: Managing the transfer pricing function within your organization
Our tax professionals shared immediate assessments on how the new budget could impact strategic and operational business decisions. The event focused on preparing organizations to seize opportunities and address challenges in a timely manner. Also, attendees learned what our national team proposed to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty for his pre-2013 budget consultations in our submission: PwC’s submission to the finance minister on the 2013 federal budget.

March 19, 2013 – Calgary
Selling your business
PwC in connection with Calgary Business Diversity
Ian Gunn, Alberta Private Company Services leader, hosted a breakfast session and presentation on preparing to sell your business. Highlights of the presentation included preparing for succession planning; common reasons for ownership transfer; mistakes to avoid; the best time to sell your business; determining the value of your business; factors affecting value; strategy and process; buyers; financing the deal; and additional considerations: structure, tax implications. View our Exit Focus series for resources.

March 10-12, 2013 – Banff
Independent Power Producers Society of Alberta (IPPSA)
PwC was proud to once again be part of the Independent Power Producers Society of Alberta (IPPSA) annual conference, which took place March 10-12, 2013 in Banff, Alberta. This year’s conference theme was Last Market Standing, focusing on Alberta’s market and the challenges and opportunities it faces.

March 6, 2013 – Edmonton
Results Based Budgeting
A roundtable discussion on implementation considerations
PwC addressed Results Based Budgeting (RBB) within Alberta and organizations. Highlights of the presentation included what RBB is within the Alberta context; how organizations are approaching RBB; anticipated challenges; critical aspects to consider during implementation.