Turning your passion into a profession

Steph Rushton CPA, CA is the definition of multifaceted. Whether you want to learn about new music from around the world or need some professional accounting advice—Steph is your go-to.

Steph is currently based in Paris—yes, that Paris—working as a Music Supervisor with Seven Seas Music and with independent film producers. In her role, Steph sources and licenses authentic international music for film and television projects—not exactly what you’d expect of the stereotypical CPA.

Her path started similarly to many Alberta CPAs: Steph graduated from the University of Calgary with her Bachelor of Commerce in accounting and knew she wanted to pursue her CPA designation. “Accounting is essentially the language of business. It’s a good base to have in any industry and position because you learn so much about the fundamental ways in which a business operates and thrives—or fails. I realized that taking this path would be a good foundation to have and be widely applicable regardless of what direction I took in the future,” explains Steph.

Steph Rushton CPA, CA proves there isn’t just one path to having the career you want as a CPA.

Steph started her professional career as an accountant at EY, where she worked in Calgary and then San Francisco. She earned her CPA designation after her second attempt at the profession’s final examination. “I actually didn’t pass the [examination] the first time,” she says. “I’m a repeat writer! I remember when it happened, I thought the world was over!”

Now, Steph looks back on it as an important learning experience. “Rewriting turned out to be a very fulfilling experience,” she says. “It forced me to debrief my own studying process and determine what worked best for me personally instead of just following the herd.”

While in San Francisco, Steph knew she wanted to pursue other interests and eventually relocate to Europe, so she contacted two female music supervisors she admired. “Both of them were super impressed that I had my CPA,” says Steph. “Even though it’s not directly related to the music industry, I think it spoke to the calibre of my experience, work ethic, and ability to critically think about issues.”

She was offered an internship and, later, a paid position. She then had the opportunity to relocate to Paris, where she is now living her dream of having her own public practice and being a freelance music supervisor. But she’s quick to mention her job is not always as glamourous as people think. Steph still works long hours, and because her international music and accounting clients are in different time zones, she needs to have a flexible working schedule.

But because her public practice work can be done remotely, Steph is able to travel frequently, choose which clients she works with, and dictate her own schedule. “The freedom and control [this work has] given me is incredibly liberating and has allowed me to create the lifestyle I want. Of course you can’t do this when you’re a fresh CPA, but after some years of experience, you can go off on your own, and it’s incredible liberating,” she says.

Steph emphasizes—and proves!—there isn’t one path to having the career you want as a CPA. While a CPA designation can open a lot of doors, you have to tune in to what makes you happy. For Steph, travelling the world and developing and sharing her skills make her happy, so she’s leveraged her designation to take her across the world and do what she’s most passionate about. “With a CPA, you can align it with what you want in life,” she says. “You just have to be brave enough to do it.”