Shuying Chen

Shuying Chen is no ordinary accounting student. 

While she’s in her final year at the University of Alberta and delving deep into the intricate world of compilations and tax codes, Shuying’s story goes well beyond studying. She’s the course manager for ACCTG 311 Intro to Accounting for Financial Performance course, a treasurer for the not-for-profit ChanPangKuen Scholarship Society, and a dedicated volunteer at a myriad of organizations in Edmonton.

As a course manager for ACCTG 311, Shuying doesn’t just follow the syllabus; she helps shape it. Her passion for accounting shines as she ensures a seamless course layout while guiding Teaching Assistants and students through the intricate world of accounting. If you’ve ever aced an assignment or conquered a challenging concept in ACCTG 311, it’s likely Shuying had a hand in it.

Beyond her academic and financial prowess, Shuying is deeply committed to giving back to the community. Whether she’s volunteering at Edmonton’s Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, or Little Warriors, Shuying is always ready to lend a helping hand. “I genuinely enjoy giving back and making a difference,” she says. 

One particularly memorable experience for Shuying was her time with Little Warriors. “We helped build playgrounds for young children, providing them with a safe and enjoyable space to interact with others,” she says. 

She’s also ventured into the professional world through co-op experiences, gaining valuable insights into both industry and public practice accounting. Her advice to fellow accounting students? “Go out and try some new things. You never truly understand a field until you’ve worked in it.”

Q&A with Shuying Chen

Is there anything that might surprise people about you?

I really enjoy going to the gym, and in my high school, I was pretty good at running races in the 800 meters, 1,500 meters, and small marathons. I also enjoy being outside, travelling, and meeting new people.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank for their inspiration?

I have a lot of people who inspire me!

My parents, taught me a lot, especially to keep moving forward with my passions. They taught me to be independent but also to know that they are always there to support me.

My boyfriend, a computer science graduate, also brings unique perspectives. He has different insights and sees things differently from me. He provides me a lot of new ideas and inspirations.

Professionally, I am inspired by my colleagues. Throughout my co-op experiences, I have had a lot of inspiration and support from my managers and colleagues.

Why do you want to become a CPA?

When going through the CPA path, I can learn a lot about different areas of accounting. Beyond this, as a CPA, I can cultivate more connections with different people from varying backgrounds in business and help them with my professional skills and accounting knowledge, which always excites me.

Capitalize and CPA Alberta are proud to announce the 2024 class of Capitalize Campus Stars. The Campus Stars program recognizes amazing Alberta post-secondary students who are dreaming of one day becoming CPAs. Learn more about the entire 2024 class!