Careers in Accounting is an annual event at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), offering students a chance to learn firsthand from certified professionals what the profession is really like.
For the last 15 years, the Melville School of Business at KPU, the Accounting Society of Kwantlen, accounting faculty members and the Career Development Centre at KPU have partnered to host the event for students to learn what the day-to-day life of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) looks like.
During this year’s event on Nov. 15, 25 CPA guests spoke to over 100 students from first to fourth year about their career paths.
“Our students get the opportunity to hear direct from the source about what a career in accounting looks like whether they want to work in public practice, government or industry positions,” says Freddy Mason, KPU accounting instructor.
Mason explains students have the opportunity to network with industry professionals, an opportunity they wouldn’t have without an event such as this one.
“This may be one of the first times a lot of our students network. This is an amazing opportunity for them to develop that skill as well as make some connections in the industry,” says Mason.
Many of the keynote speakers at Careers in Accounting events are KPU graduates who attended the event in the past as students.
“The fact that many of our CPA guests are KPU graduates shows the impact Careers in Accounting has on our students. They hold this event dear to their hearts even after they leave KPU,” says Mason.