Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
For Mae Antoinette Yee-Romero, it was a long time coming but worth every minute.
Romero graduated from the certified general accountant (CGA) Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia’s (CPABC) CPA convocation ceremony held on Nov. 28.
The ceremony was held at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver.
Mae, along with 1,690 students attended the convocation ceremony.
“It took me about 4-5 years to complete all courses,” Mae said.
And studying did come with some challenges for the wife and mother of two.
“It was challenging at times,” Mae said. “It was all about disciplining myself, managing my time with little ones and being organized.”
Mae is married to her husband Miguel and the couple are busy raising their two daughters, Marianna, 2, and Miguella who is four months old.
But accounting was always something Mae wanted to pursue.
“I began taking courses in the Philippines and it was my father who inspired me. It’s practical and it’s applicable even in your personal life in terms of budgeting.”
To qualify as a CPA, CGA, students must have a university degree or equivalent, 24 months of practical work experience at a professional level and complete courses through the CGA Program. Students must also pass a comprehensive national final exam to earn their destination.
“We welcome the newest Chartered Professional Accountants to the profession,” said Dave Hallinan, FCPA, FCMA, Chair of CPABC board of directors.
“They represent the future of the accounting profession in British Columbia and I congratulate each and every one of our new graduates. We welcome them to the ranks of B.C.’s chartered professional accountants.”
Mae is very grateful for all of the support received from the community.
“Sherry Nielsen from Fort St. James mentored me. Paul Leach from KDL examined me. Special thanks to Sherry, the Binche Society, The View, my husband and in laws for all of their support,” Mae said.
In the future, Mae hopes to obtain her license, to be an official member of the CPA and to be involved with taxation.
“I’m hoping to establish a company for small businesses in the Fort and help provide them with solutions in bookkeeping and accounting. Book keeping really is the future.” Mae said.
“People in Fort St. James have been so accommodating. I’m so thankful,” Mae said.
The Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) was formed through the amalgamation of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC (ICABC), the Certified General Accountants Association of BC (CGA-BC) AND THE Certified Management Accountants Society of BC (CMABC). CPABC was officially established when the CPA Act came into effect on June 24, 2015. CPABC represents over 34,000 members and 5,200 CPA students and candidates.