WHEN EDUCATION BECOMES MORE THAN A PROGRAM, IT BECOMES A LIFE EXPERIENCE
Where Executive Learning Meets Purpose, Culture, and Perspective
By Deepak Kumar Gupta, ACMA (CIMA, UK), CGMA, CPA (Australia), RPA
Technology is no longer merely supporting the accounting profession—it is fundamentally redefining it. Transactions are recorded instantly, taxes calculated in real time, and payments automated. Many tasks once central to accounting have been absorbed by systems powered by automation and artificial intelligence.
Industry data reflects this transformation. Research examining nearly 200 accounting firms in Australia found that SME accounting firm profits declined by almost 40% between 2013 and 2018, signalling a profession entering a mature and increasingly vulnerable phase. While services such as tax, reporting, and bookkeeping remain, their economic value continues to erode as competition intensifies and margins shrink.
The implication is clear: accounting can no longer operate as a cost centre. It must evolve into a value-driven profit centre.
From Compliance to Strategic Value
The future of the profession lies in insight-led advisory services. Relevance today depends on capabilities in performance management, business analytics, strategic decision support, digital transformation, and advanced tax planning—areas where judgment and interpretation create real value.
Recognising this shift, I invested in structured executive learning focused on performance management and value creation, moving beyond transactional reporting to linking strategy, metrics, and executive decision-making.
A Journey That Began Alone
In May 2025, I travelled alone from New Delhi to Toronto to attend the C-Suite Executive Program in Management Accounting, jointly delivered by Australian CMA and Canadian RPA institutions. It was my first visit to a far-western country, nearly 12,000 kilometres from home. While daunting, meaningful growth often begins beyond comfort zones.
Staying at the University of Toronto rather than a hotel allowed me to experience the city as a resident. Commuting daily by public transit created a deeper connection—not only to Toronto, but to the learning journey itself.
Learning with Real-World Relevance
The program was both rigorous and practical, covering strategic cost management, business valuation, supply chain strategy, performance measurement, and disruption management. Its strength lay not just in the frameworks taught, but in how closely they were tied to real executive decision-making.
Equally impactful was the learning environment. As the only participant from outside Canada, I was welcomed with warmth and inclusivity. The support of Zubair Choudhry, President & CEO of RPA Canada, along with his team—Michael Saniga, Umar Choudhry, Alejandro Velez, and Mariz Dela Rosa—and fellow participants transformed the program into a truly collaborative experience.
Beyond the Classroom
After the program, my journey continued through Edmonton, Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Sitting quietly at Lake Louise, surrounded by stillness and mountains, one truth became clear: this experience was never about a certificate.
It was about stepping into uncertainty, learning beyond classrooms, and embracing education as a force that shapes not only professional capability, but also perspective, resilience, and purpose.
In a profession facing rapid disruption, education is no longer about accumulating credentials. It is a strategic enabler—building judgment, insight, and the ability to create value in an increasingly complex world.
Some journeys remain with us not because they were meticulously planned, but because the unexpected gave them meaning. This experience reaffirmed that when learning is anchored in purpose and lived experience, it reshapes how we think, decide, and contribute—long after the program concludes.
I respectfully encourage Zubair Choudhry, President & CEO of RPA Canada, to continue offering the C-Suite Executive Program globally. Beyond strengthening executive capabilities, the program offers professionals a rare opportunity to engage with Canada’s culture and values, fostering globally minded, ethically grounded leadership.