Short Bio

Nahie Bassett, CPA, BBA, MBA, has over 25 years of leadership experience in the federal public service, specializing in finance, procurement, accounting and materiel management across multiple departments. She has participated in major organizational transitions, strengthened financial stewardship and advanced talent retention strategies. A dedicated mentor and sponsor, she actively supports women’s leadership and professional growth as the departmental champion for the National Women’s+ Network. With a proven record of strategic insight, business acumen and transformational leadership, Nahie is committed to advancing the CPA profession and ensuring its continued relevance in a rapidly evolving environment.

Detailed Bio

Career achievements:

• Chief Procurement Officer / Deputy Chief Financial Officer –  Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO): Manage 350 employees and a budget of $38M capital and HR
• Director, Financial Accounting – Department of National Defence (DND)
• Chief Financial Officer – Office of the Correctional Investigator
• Director, Financial and Portfolio Affairs – Public Safety Canada
• Director, Payments and Collections Management – Veterans Affairs Canada

These senior positions helped me hone my financial leadership, governance and oversight capabilities. I am now responsible for procurement, accounting and materiel management including operations and management of 15 warehouses.

Other professional accomplishments:

• Treasurer and Board Director for Soldiers Helping Soldiers – a national organization helping homeless Canadian Veterans.
• I received the CFO Merit Award as part of a Materiel as a Service team, which developed new policy instruments and streamlined complex financial processes for large contracts and improved inventory accuracy.
• I received the Chief of the Defence Staff medallion for distinguished service in 2014. This was awarded on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Other voluntary service and recognition:

• Member of the City of Ottawa’s Election Audit Compliance Committee (November 2022)
• Treasurer and Director for Soldiers Helping Soldiers (November 2017-Present)
• Catechism Instructor at St. Elias Orthodox Church (September 2022-2023)
• Volunteer for Perley Rideau Veterans Centre Ottawa (October 2009-July 2015)

Candidate statement

Why are you interested in joining Council?

I am interested in joining the CPA Council because with my current education of a BBA, MBA and a CPA, and with over 25 years of experience in the federal public service, as well as five years in the private sector, I want to contribute to the future of the profession by sharing my experiences and fulfill my desire to continue to serve the public interest. I am currently on the City of Ottawa's election compliance audit committee and many discussions around our decisions center on the issue of serving the public interest. I also understand the importance of strong governance and ethical leadership and believe that I could be a vital contributing member that would help set the strategic direction and vision for the future of the profession.

Having a voice at the table is particularly motivating to me and the ability to represent the members, support innovation and navigate the evolving challenges facing the profession (that I will list below) is quite exciting to me.

I am also interested in giving back to the profession. I started my CPA education later in my career as I recognized the importance of the skills and knowledge gained by having a CPA. I grew up in an entrepreneurial family with a strong dedication to finance and accounting, and while my initial career path took me in more strategic roles, I eventually returned to my core capabilities which were in accounting and finance. I want to use my experiences and my deep understanding of the value of a CPA to assist the Council and the members who may not always see the true advantages and value in being a CPA. I am also interested in giving back to the profession.

How do your experiences align with the following skills, attributes and experiences that have been prioritized for incoming members of Council?

• Strategic and Transformational Leadership
• Emerging Technologies
• Future of Learning and Work
• Business Acumen

Throughout my career in public service, I have had to lead cross-functional initiatives that require long-term vision, such as my current project to create a cluster of federal departments that share a financial system (emerging technologies) ahead of the current contract expiring. This project requires collaboration, adaptability and negotiation. I would use my experiences in this and other projects to align stakeholders in discussions for CPA, to navigate complex policy environments, such as the current one with the Treasury Board Secretariat, which has two different sections that manage system integrations. 

In another example, I was responsible for a project to assume controls of warehouses for the Canadian Coast Guard and DFO. I used my skills in communication, driving change and fostering innovation for the benefit of the department and in the public interest to more accurately report on assets. I used my business acumen in discussions and negotiations to demonstrate the benefit to all parties in the exchange. The result was a success, as I now manage 15 warehouses, and I would bring this approach to CPA Ontario Council.

What is the greatest opportunity and challenge facing the accounting profession and CPA Ontario?

I believe that the greatest opportunities for CPA Ontario are the reputation as trusted advisors and professional development. CPA Ontario encourages professional development and embraces AI in the training offered, which demonstrates that CPAs understand and can assist clients and stakeholders implement AI in their organizations in an ethical manner. 

I note two challenges for the profession. First, the skills shift happening in the profession because new CPAs must have analytical skills, AI understanding and strong interpersonal skills, in order to clearly demonstrate the value of the profession. It has been my experience that not all CPAs can communicate the value of the profession, as the skills required for entry level positions are being automated and interpersonal skills are required.

Second, CPA Ontario’s departure from CPA Canada underscores tensions around governance and standards. Public trust is key in our profession, and these tensions pose a challenge in conveying that risks to national consistency and mobility across the country are low.