Mirza Faraz Baig, CPA, CA, recipient of the 2025 Kouri Berezan Heinrichs (KBH) Award - Manitoba, has dedicated himself to helping CPA candidates succeed through one of the most challenging professional journeys of their careers. An internationally trained accountant who rebuilt his professional credentials after immigrating to Canada, Faraz has spent years mentoring, facilitating and supporting future CPAs, driven by a belief that meaningful guidance can make all the difference in someone's journey.
A New Beginning in Canada
Faraz's path to becoming a CPA in Canada began long before he arrived in Winnipeg.
Having earned his Chartered Accountant designation in his home country in 2002, he built a successful career in finance, accounting and strategy before immigrating to Canada in 2013. Like many newcomers, he wanted to build a career in Canada. He wanted "to get back to where [he] had left off," and the Canadian CPA designation was the natural next step that would allow him to continue working in the field where he had built his experience.
The journey required him to return to studying after more than a decade away from formal examinations while simultaneously adapting to a new country, a new workplace and a new professional environment.
Struggles During His CPA Journey
One of Faraz's biggest challenges while pursuing his Canadian CPA designation was learning how to write CPA cases. Although he possessed strong technical knowledge and extensive professional experience, the Canadian approach to case writing was unfamiliar.
He struggled to find the right guidance, but a chance encounter with the head of the CPA development program at Canada Life put him on a path to success. Within days, Faraz found himself surrounded by professionals who volunteered their time to mentor him, review his practice cases and help him strengthen his case-writing skills. Over the following months, they challenged him, coached him and pushed him to improve.
"They had absolutely nothing to gain from helping me, yet they invested their time and energy into helping me succeed," Faraz reflects. That support played a significant role in helping him pass his exam and left a lasting impression.
Today, Faraz describes those mentors as "angels" who appeared at exactly the right time.
Giving Back to the Profession
Having benefited from the generosity of others, Faraz felt a personal obligation to give back.
Over the years, he has become deeply involved in CPA education as a facilitator, mentor and supporter of internationally trained professionals pursuing their CPA designation. He regularly shares his experiences with candidates and helps them navigate the challenges of balancing work, study and personal commitments. His approach is built around creating personal connections with candidates and helping them build confidence throughout their CPA journey.
One of the most rewarding aspects of facilitating for him is hearing from candidates who felt seen, supported and encouraged during difficult periods of the program. "If I can play a small role in helping someone succeed, there's nothing more rewarding than that," he says.
Advice to Candidates on Choosing Electives
When speaking to CPA candidates about electives and career decisions, Faraz encourages them to focus less on what others think they should do and more on what genuinely suits their personality and goals. Faraz explains that, in his case, he was motivated by challenge. He wanted to learn from new opportunities and solve different problems rather than follow a highly predictable path.
He believes that success comes from finding the overlap between what you're good at and what keeps you engaged, encouraging candidates to "ask yourself what you actually enjoy because you're choosing a profession that could be part of your life for decades."
Seeing the Bigger Picture
For Faraz, the CPA designation is about more than technical expertise. He sees it as preparation for leadership, where professionals must interpret the numbers, communicate their meaning, help organizations make decisions and connect financial information to broader business objectives.
He urges candidates to think beyond technical knowledge and develop the skills required to become trusted advisors and business leaders. That perspective also shapes how he coaches candidates preparing for the CFE.
He advises candidates to "remember your role, understand the stakeholder's needs and avoid getting lost in the details and remember the big picture."
Embracing AI as an Opportunity
Like many leaders in the profession, Faraz sees artificial intelligence as a significant force shaping the future of accounting. Rather than viewing it as a threat, he encourages professionals to view it as an opportunity.
He says, "AI is a reality whether we like it or not.” While certain routine tasks may become automated, he believes AI can help accountants spend less time on manual work and more time on meaningful analysis, strategic thinking and business decision-making.
At work, Faraz actively encourages his teams to explore how technology can improve efficiency and enhance the value they deliver. "If all you bring to the table is accounting knowledge, then you should be concerned," he says. "But if you bring judgment, insight and business understanding, AI becomes your partner."
A Lifelong Learner
Whether he's gardening, tackling home improvement projects, fixing small automotive issues or learning new skills through online tutorials, Faraz enjoys exploring new challenges.
His children even have a nickname for him: the "DIY Dad." That curiosity and willingness to learn have been consistent themes throughout his life and career. They have also helped shape the facilitator and mentor he is today.
As the recipient of the 2025 Kouri Berezan Heinrichs (KBH) Award - Manitoba, Faraz is being recognized not only for his contributions to CPA education, but also for the impact he has had on candidates who have benefited from his encouragement, guidance and belief in their potential.
For Faraz, the recognition carries special meaning. He describes the most fulfilling part as hearing from candidates who tell him that he helped them through a difficult time, adding that being recognized for those contributions is "really the cherry on top."
