Making Connections Happen !
NOTES & NEWS
Making Connections Happen !
CPABC has been busy helping to make connections happen between employers , CPAs , and future CPAs at several recruitment events over the past few months .
CareerConnect Speed Interview Nights This past fall , companies participating in the CPABC CareerConnect Employer Program and candidates looking for career opportunities in accounting came together at Speed Interview Nights in Vancouver ( October 26 ) and Surrey ( November 23 ). The following CareerConnect employers from government , industry , and public practice attended these events :
• ACL
• BC Public Service
• Enterprise Holdings Ltd .
• Galloway Botteselle & Company
• LLT CPAs
• Loren Nancke & Company
• Maven LLP
• McLaren Trefanenko Inc .
• RHN Inc .
• Ritchie Bros . Auctioneers
• Sadovnick Morgan LLP
• Thomas Chimick Ltd .
More than 200 CPAs and future CPAs attended these networking events for a chance to interview with key employer representatives . The positions employers were looking to fill included junior accountants , financial officers , auditors , account managers , managers of strategic partner programs , and financial analysts . CPABC ’ s Speed Interview Nights are uniquely effective in that they bring a large number of job candidates and a variety of employers together in one place . Employers benefit from the opportunity to assess the potential of a wide range of candidates in terms of both skills and fit ; and candidates benefit from the opportunity to meet and interview directly with key decision-makers from a variety of companies , while also getting the chance to compare and learn about potential career opportunities and industries . Each interview lasts only a few minutes , so candidates must be prepared to make a positive first impression and communicate their skills and experience succinctly . We ’ re pleased to note that , at the time of this writing , several of the participating employers have already conducted second interviews with candidates they met at these events , and others have already hired and started candidates in their new positions .
Eureka ! CPA Connect at Science World On any given day at Vancouver ’ s Science World , you ’ ll find families and school groups taking in the galleries , programs , and hands-on activities that are meant to inspire , intrigue , and develop our understanding of science and technology . After the doors closed to the general public on the evening of November 24 , however , Science World became a place to learn about the world of business and accounting , as CPABC hosted its latest CPA Connect event . More than 100 post-secondary students from colleges and universities across the Lower Mainland came to this event to connect with CPABC members and students and companies active in the CPABC Career- Connect Employer Program . Representatives from the following organizations were on hand :
• ACL
• DLA Piper
• Interfor
• Kemp Harvey Hamilton Inc .
• London Drugs
• Ministry of Finance
• Omicron
• Steve Nash Fitness World & Sports Club
• And more !
Eager to learn about the various career paths and industries in which CPAs work , students had many questions for employer reps throughout the night . For example , Robert Bagatella , CPA , CA , and Syed Jafri , CPA , CGA , both of London Drugs , found themselves surrounded by a large group of inquisitive post-secondary students for a good portion of the evening . The pair deftly answered questions about the many different subsidiary companies operated by London Drugs , and about the company ’ s numerous retail locations across Western Canada . At the same time , Brett Pavan , CPA , CGA , a partner with Loren Nancke & Company , was busy answering questions about how his firm provides support to students as they make their way through the CPA Professional Education Program . We definitely saw some “ Eureka !” moments for students as they learned about the many opportunities and career paths the CPA designation can make possible .
CPABC hosts CareerConnect Speed Interview Nights and CPA Connect networking events throughout the year for companies participating in the CPABC CareerConnect Employer Program . CPA members who are interested in getting their companies involved in the program or who would like to volunteer to attend CPA Connect events can contact Jerrick Barroso , CPABC ’ s employer relations & jobsite program manager , at jbarroso @ bccpa . ca for more information .
20 CPABC in Focus • Jan / Feb 2017