2007 Alumni Achievement Award Recipient: Rod Barr
In 1969, Rod joined Touche Ross (now Deloitte & Touche), in Toronto. He transferred to Hamilton in 1973, becoming a partner in 1978, and remained there — except for an international assignment in Egypt — until 1984. Before returning to Toronto where he has been the firm’s National Securities Partner since 1996, he worked in New York; New Westminster, BC; London, Ontario; and Wilton, Connecticut. In 1993, Rod obtained the designation of Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
Rod’s commitment to his chosen profession is the gold standard,
says David Laidley, FCA (Former Chair, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Toronto).
As a chartered accountant and as one of his partners, I consider Rod Barr to be a role model.
A leading authority on the accounting profession, Rod sees the future for the profession as “tough, exciting, and always interesting.” He adds,
New regulatory issues and increased scrutiny means that financial reporting has become a three-legged stool, and that’s a good thing.We are seeing stronger,more independent audit committees that complement the roles of management and the auditors, and these serve to make our job as accountants more rewarding. It’s a great time to enter the profession!
Rod recently completed a two-year term as Chair of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (ICAO). He considers this major volunteer commitment as a way to give back. He has also made invaluable contributions to the national CA profession.
For several years, he served on the Board of Examiners for the national examinations, including two years as chair. “This is widely acknowledged to be a clear recognition of the special esteem in which his academic brilliance is held by his peers,” says Alister Mason (former director, School of Accountancy, UWaterloo).
[Rod’s] great ability was earlier evidenced in earning a medal when he wrote the national CA exams [in 1972].
In 1988, Rod was elected a Fellow of the ICAO (FCA) in recognition of his extensive contributions to his profession and to the various communities in which he has lived.
“Less than three percent of all CAs receive the FCA recognition which is for their outstanding career achievements, as well as their outstanding leadership contributions to the community and profession,” says Brian Hunt, FCA (President and Chief Executive Officer of the ICAO).
Rod richly deserves the FCA recognition and so much more.
Rod has an impressive record of volunteer activities in his community. He participates in a number of fundraising projects, has had a long-time association with minor sports, an active involvement in his church, and a keen interest in the Georgian Heights Cottagers Association.
Some of his other volunteer roles have included chair of United Way (New Westminster); director of the Hyack Festival Association (New Westminster); and past member of London Investment in Education, a partnership of business, educators, and professionals. Rod, who was among the first group of residents at St. Paul’s College, was also a founding member of the University of Waterloo Accounting Alumni Association (1980).
He continues to be involved with his alma mater and frequently attends events on campus. A very generous contribution to the Waterloo Capital Campaign has resulted in the establishment of the endowed scholarship known as the Barr Family Entrance Scholarship, which is awarded annually to an outstanding student entering first year of the Accounting & Financial Management program in the School of Accountancy. Born in Nova Scotia, Rod now resides in Toronto with his wife Alison Knight, who is also a FCA. They have two sons, Scott and Brian, a daughter Carolyn, and four granddaughters, Lauren, Jaime,Meghan, and Julia. Rod enjoys boating, fishing, and woodworking, and going to his cottage in Lions Head, Ontario, where he has vacationed all of his life.