My Life My Education: Raminder Pooni

Raminder Pooni, CMA
Manager, Audit
Canada Revenue Agency

MY WORK

Hours worked per week: 37.5+ hours

Years at this position: 6 months, over 19 years with Canada Revenue Agency

What is the best part of your job?
The people - I get a lot of energy from the people I work with - they are committed, dedicated and their drive to do well always amazes me.

What are some of the challenges you’re currently facing at work?
There are always changes and new things happening in the public service in general and at CRA.  I think the CMA has prepared me to not see changes as challenges but more as opportunities and to look for ways to contribute to what is going on.

How is this position different from other jobs you’ve had?
I have had the luxury of working in a variety of different positions in a number of different federal government departments.  In each case I relied on my CMA designation as a source of strength for both the skills I brought with me and the reputation the designation holds.  In my current role I am focused more on the taxation and auditing side of things but all within the context of “Management”.

MY EDUCATION

Degree(s) & Institution: Bachelor of Commerce, UBC; CMA designation, Certified Management Accountants Society of B.C.; plus I am currently finishing my Masters in Public Administration at UVIC.

Why did you choose to pursue a CMA?
I had an undergraduate degree in finance and decided I would get my designation. At the time I researched each designation and the CMA was the only one that really focused on the complete picture of running a business.  I knew the numbers side of things pretty well, but I wanted to run things and see how everything fit together - the people, the operations, and the finances - CMA gave me all of those pieces.

When did you complete your CMA program?
I graduated in 1995.

LIFESTYLE

Favorite recreational activity: Soccer.

Upcoming vacation plans: Hawaii this winter.

Community involvement: I currently coach my daughter’s soccer team.

MY FUTURE

In five years, I see myself (both professionally and personally):
I see myself at the executive ranks of the Public Service.