Mathieu Lupien became a Certified Information Technology Professional® (CITP®) Champion because of the credential’s expertise straddling technology and financial reporting.
“As an IT and finance expert I was looking for the same talent mix, but they are hard to find. I [also] wanted to be part of the solution,” said Lupien, CPA (Canada)/CITP, president and co-founder of Simfiny Solutions, a financial planning, analysis, and technology company based in Montreal.
He trained on the CITP program to demonstrate he is a trusted adviser in cybersecurity, business intelligence, data analytics and more. And he became a CITP Champion to promote the credential and grow the IT and finance talent pool.
CITP Champion Program
The CITP Champion Program offers current and aspiring CITPs leadership support, and resources focused on information technology in the accounting profession. And CITP Champions seek to expand awareness about the variety of roles CITPs hold in business and industry.
Lupien, who held CFO and other executive positions before co-founding Simfiny Solutions five years ago, has been a CITP Champion since 2020.
In 2022, he played a lead role in establishing a network and collaborative opportunities for Canadian CITP credential holders. “I used my own networking meetings to promote the CITP certification to others,” Lupien said. “One example is when I met with the dean of the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, to introduce the CITP certification.”
Benefits of becoming a CITP Champion
CITP Champions serve as the local point of contact for accounting and finance professionals seeking information about the CITP credential, including its requirements. Champions also liaise with state societies, provincial bodies or local universities.
As such, they are exposed to new experiencesand a wealth of opportunities to cultivate relationships, mentor fellow professionals and provide support to those pursuing the CITP credential.
“I love these opportunities to give back to the profession, share my insights and experience, and listen to group candidates share their diverse experiences,” Lupien said. “The opportunities for networking, mentoring and exchange of ideas are invaluable as a CPA. I can influence, help shape and drive how we grow and attract talent to the profession.”
He has volunteered as a session facilitator for one of nine study group sessions hosted for the CITP credential exam study group resource. He also was a panelist for the August 2022 American Accounting Association conference session on the CITP credential and the AICPA university program in information technology, extending the reach within the academic community.
What’s next for Lupien? He will share insights about business intelligence for key performance indicators at AICPA & CIMA’s ENGAGE 2023 conference.
How to become a CITP Champion
A prerequisite of becoming a CITP Champion is to achieve the CITP credential. If you’ve already achieved that milestone, you’re ready to apply to become a champion.
Initial and annual requirements of the CITP Champion Program are easy to understand and meet.
The manager of the CITP Champion Program, Paul Warrick, CPA, CGMA, at AICPA® & CIMA®, can answer questions you may have. And when you’re ready, email Warrick your application:
Current résumé/CV
A brief statement about your participation or desire to participate in your community as an advocate of the CITP credential
Once you become a CITP Champion, you’ll be invited to participate in CITP Champion conference calls (six per year), sharing the CITP activities you initiated in your state society, provincial body, or local university, such as teaching IT-related classes. Further, your expertise will be sought in creating content for the CITP credential body of knowledge, also known as the Global CITP® Examination content specification outline.
Enhance your skillset with the CITP credential
Technology moves fast and the accounting profession needs more technologically savvy CPAs. The CITP credential addresses that demand.
Learn more through the Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) credential handbook.