To put it simply, I love tax.
I initially got into tax because of my courses at the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF). I found that the professors that taught had an immense amount of experience and credibility straight from the industry.
It’s no secret that the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) is one of the best of its kind in the country. The Accounting and Financial Management program (AFM) and the Master’s of Accounting programs offer so many courses in accounting, tax, financial management, and more.
Every university student’s most dreaded question is probably: What do you plan to do after you get your degree? Some of you may already know, which is great! But if you’re like me and still have no idea, that’s fine too! Even after being named to the Common Final Examination (CFE) Honour Roll, I am still not 100% sure what my professional career is going to look like.
I always try to give 110% in everything I do and push myself to complete the best work I am capable of. This approach was no different when preparing for the Common Final Examination (CFE). While I gave 110% when studying for the CFE, I never thought I would make the honour roll. Much to my surprise though, I actually did! Though I probably wouldn’t have been able to do it without the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF).
On February 20th 2020, the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) faculty, staff, alumni, and members of CPA Ontario gathered in downtown Toronto to celebrate the successes of SAF graduates in their Common Final Examinations (CFE) to become a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). The National Cub on Bay Street graciously held the event for us in their front room, which immediately made me forget that we were in the middle of Toronto and not a century old English manor house.
When I first entered AFM, I really had no idea what I wanted to get out of it. I’ve always been a poor long-term planner, so for first year, my goals were – find a job, do well in courses, and have a good time.
The first time I served as a judge at the Velocity (now Concept) $5K semi-finals was winter 2019. As I observed presenters rehearing their pitches prior to the start of the event, I recall saying to myself that I was likely just as nervous as the presenters, if not more so. The other judges on the panel were all founders of their own start-ups, and I was petrified of having no feedback to provide or providing feedback that the presenters did not find helpful.
A primary consideration for most high school students contemplating post-secondary education is the name of the institution or program and the associated brand and post-graduation career opportunities. Reflecting on my four years in the math/CPA program, my recommendation to those students would be to also consider the supplementary learning opportunities because they will provide a more well-rounded university experience.