Meet your 2022/23 Campus Ambassadors
The 2022/23 Campus Ambassador team is here to assist you on the path towards the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. The following ambassadors will be the primary point of contact for students to get information about important events and activities, as well as answers to their questions about the CPA Professional Education Program and the CPA designation.
Mikayla Adams
University of Lethbridge
madams@cpaalberta.ca
Why have you chosen to pursue a career in accounting?
I took an accounting course in high school, and I fell in love with it. I enjoy the problem-solving aspect that comes with accounting. I also enjoy helping people, and I believe you help clients in a lot of different ways in accounting.
What is one thing you wish people knew about accounting?
The first thing would probably be that not all accountants are nerds. I know that is the biggest stereotypes about accountants but it’s not always true. I know a lot of accountants that are actually pretty cool, but I guess that’s probably not very convincing coming from a future accountant.
The second thing would be that to be an accountant you don’t necessarily have to be good at and love math. While accounting is based around numbers, the actual math that you need to know is pretty basic. If you can add, subtract, multiply, and divide, you’re all set.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I share a birthday with my favourite singer, Morgan Wallen (May 13).
Abdul Gafar Andres
Why were you interested in becoming a CPA Campus Ambassador?
I’m interested in being a CPA Campus Ambassador because the experience and knowledge I will gain from this position will equip me to reach my ultimate career goal: receiving my designation.
How do you think the accounting profession will change over the next 10 years?
The accounting profession will change significantly in the next 10 years because of modern technology. It will likely require less crunching numbers and more storytelling.
Who do you listen to before a big test or presentation to pump yourself up?
It has been a year now that I’ve listened to classical music while studying and before my exams and presentations.
Sarah Deleon
Concordia University of Edmonton
sdeleon@cpaalberta.ca
What are you looking forward to most about being a CPA Campus Ambassador?
The opportunities to attend all the exciting events in person after being virtual last year! Being able to interact with people face-to-face is going to make a huge difference.
Why have you chosen to pursue a career in accounting?
The learning aspect of it never ends; there are always new procedures or legalities involved. I’m also really excited to see how the profession continues to grow with the world around us.
What is something people might be surprised to know about you?
I’m a huge introvert at heart, and I’ve been impacted by various mental health issues throughout my life. Every day is a new challenge, and I love that!
Evan Eng
MacEwan University
eeng@cpaalberta.ca
Why were you interested in becoming a CPA Campus Ambassador?
I decided to become a CPA Campus Ambassador to meet more of the wonderful people in the accounting field. I love hearing the stories of CPAs, business leaders, and other students to learn more about their experiences.
Why have you chosen to pursue a career in accounting?
One word: exploration. There are endless opportunities in accounting to grow and develop. You’ll never know where you end up, but you can be assured that your future will be bright.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m absolutely a caffeine fiend. I love the energy-filled miracle chemical so much that I’ve begun making my own caffeinated gummy bears—in addition to drinking my usual cups of coffee.
Frederick (Red) Enorme
University of Alberta
fenorme@cpaalberta.ca
Why were you interested in becoming a CPA Campus Ambassador?
I was interested in becoming a CPA Campus Ambassador because of the many opportunities it provides to connect with others. Obtaining the CPA designation is a big step in one’s career, so I’m here to share everything I know about how the CPA program and designation can add value to the education and careers of students!
What is one thing you wish people knew about accounting?
Accounting plays an important part in the success of businesses. CPAs are tasked with solving problems others can’t, and they use business fundamentals and acumen to add an infinite amount of value and knowledge to businesses.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
For nine years, I sang with an internationally ranked choir that focused on advanced acapella classical music. We had the opportunity to tour and travel across Canada, South Africa, and the UK!
LeeAnn Garbe
What are you looking forward to most about being a CPA Campus Ambassador?
The thing I am looking forward to the most is creating and establishing lifelong professional relationships within the accounting field and meeting a diversity of exceptional people.
What is one thing you wish people knew about accounting?
I wish people knew how much fun and how rewarding a career in accounting can be!
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
Something surprising about me is that I am an ultra-marathon trail runner. If you give me a mountain, I am going to run it!
Jessica Grandison
Mount Royal University
jgrandison@cpaalberta.ca
What are you looking forward to most about being a CPA Campus Ambassador?
I’m mostly looking forward to making connections and learning more about the different ways people have used their CPA designation.
What is one thing you wish people knew about accounting?
I wish people knew that it’s not just about numbers. When I tell people I want to be an accountant, many of them reply that I must be good with numbers. While I am, accounting is so much more and it involves a lot of analysis, problem solving, and decision making.
If you could build your dream business overnight, what would it be?
I would love to build a non-profit organization catered toward underprivileged children, where they are able to attend classes or workshops and learn various skills or figure out their passions.
Sally Lee
University of Calgary
slee@cpaalberta.ca
Why were you interested in becoming a CPA Campus Ambassador?
I wanted to become a CPA Campus Ambassador because my past experiences with hosting networking events for students have helped me realize how much I enjoy helping students succeed in recruiting. I also want to learn what it means to kick-start your accounting career as a student who wants to pursue their CPA designation later.
How do you think the accounting profession will change over the next 10 years?
I think the skills and expectations surrounding CPAs will change. Accountants may be held to higher standards of insightfulness and analytical skills as less inquisitive tasks are taken over by technology.
What pump-up jam do you listen to before a big test or presentation?
“Don’t Stop Believin’” is a classic that’ll always pump me up whenever I’m anxious about something!