Matt Stam
Birthplace & current city of residence : Vancouver , BC ; Chilliwack , BC
Employer : Langbroek , Louwerse & Thiessen LLP
Job title : Accounting Manager
Experience route : Experience Verification
What will you remember most about your CFE experience ? I will remember the rollercoaster of emotions — constantly switching between confidence and fear , being simultaneously convinced I would fail and sure I would pass , and feeling that I was not nearly prepared enough while being sure I had prepared as well as I could . Most of all , however , I will remember the tremendous feeling of relief once it was all over .
Any hobbies that helped you manage stress during your studies ? I managed my stress by taking walks with my wife and daughter between practice cases and by playing soccer with my recreational men ’ s league team .
OWN YOUR FUTURE
UBC Diploma in Accounting
Have a university degree but lack the prerequisites to pursue the new Chartered Professional Accountants ( CPA ) designation ?
The UBC Diploma in Accounting program ( UBC DAP ) bridges the gap by equipping graduates with the foundation for success in the CPA Professional Education Program . Widely recognized by the accounting industry , UBC DAP can be completed in as little as 10 or as long as 24 months while candidates continue to work .
Find out how to put your career aspirations into action : visit sauder . ubc . ca / dap
Who would you like to thank for providing support during your studies ? I ’ d like to thank the four partners at Langbroek , Louwerse & Thiessen ( Casey Langbroek , FCPA , FCGA ; Kurt Louwerse , CPA , CGA ; Dwayne Thiessen , CPA , CGA ; and David Langbroek CPA , CGA ) for providing me with the resources and time I needed to prepare successfully for the exam . I ’ d also like to thank Cory Causton , CPA , CA , a manager at the firm , for his mentorship throughout the CPA process . Finally , and most importantly , I ’ d like to thank my family — especially my wife Lizzi and one-year-old daughter Rylie — for their understanding and support throughout the studying process .
Any advice for future CFE writers ? My advice would be to take the CFE experience as it comes . By the time you write the exam , you ’ re as prepared and ready as you will ever be , and you just need to trust that your own abilities and your practice will carry you through .
36 CPABC in Focus • Jan / Feb 2017