https://www.bccpa.ca/become-a-cpa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CPA?

CPAs (Chartered Professional Accountants) aren’t just experts in accounting and finance. They have unique careers that can cater to their own specific interests and can open doors to all kinds of exciting and unexpected career paths!

If you’re a soon-to-be or recent graduate or you’re trying to figure out the next step in your career, becoming a CPA could provide the benefits you’re looking for. Just take Shamus Molloy and Henry Flowers, two CPAs who’ve harnessed the tools that help them flourish across their respective careers.

Shamus’ journey

Shamus Molloy (Bobo Zhao Photography)

Shamus’s career path had many twists and turns before it led him to his role as a manager on the Assurance Innovation team at MNP.

After working in the restaurant industry from ages 16 to 23, he made the leap to join the Armed Forces as an armoured crewman in Calgary. From there his work took him to New Brunswick and then Alberta before he decided to change lanes.

Unsure of his next move, Shamus enrolled in the business program at The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, where he discovered his knack for accounting. That decision eventually led him to MNP, where his current focus is on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance workflows and optimize efficiency within the firm.

“If I’m working on something that needs to get done, I’ll get it done,” says Shamus, recalling the discipline the Armed Forces helped him transfer to his work as a CPA. “ The determination and perseverance that was instilled in me carries over to making sure that the team succeeds before I worry about myself.”

It goes to show that no matter your background, previous experience, or resume, the skills you learn along your path — like leadership and teamwork — will only make you stronger when you find the role that fits you best.

Henry’s growth

Henry Flowers (Bobo Zhao Photography)

Henry is Senior Manager, Risk Services at PwC Canada where he helps clients navigate governance, risk, and compliance needs related to financial reporting and information technology.

Since starting as an intern in 2018, Henry has had many opportunities to dive into new and exciting business areas while building strong relationships with leaders who supported his growth.

“Mentorship has been a huge part of my journey,” he explains. “PwC’s supportive culture is something I really appreciate, and it’s helped me explore technologies and impacts like the impacts of AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems on financial reporting — areas that are shaping the future of accounting which align with PwC’s forward-thinking approach to the digital landscape.”

Henry has also found a sense of belonging and community within the PwC Black Professionals’ Inclusion Network (BPIN).

“Seeing other Black professionals thrive in leadership roles inspired me to step up and take on leadership roles myself, both within BPIN and my local ISACA chapter.”

Future-forward

Both Shamus and Henry have enjoyed the benefits of their respective CPA careers, complete with career flexibility, skill development, and the continuous learning that the job entails.

“Whether it’s keeping up with the changing regulations or diving into emerging fields like AI and cybersecurity, being a CPA pushes me to stay on top of industry trends and develop new skills that keep me adaptable in the ever-evolving business landscape,” says Henry.

For Shamus, who has always operated by seeing where life takes him, being a CPA allows him to live in the moment with the reassurance that his future is bright no matter what happens.

“I never knew I’d be a CPA,” he says. “I didn’t know I’d be working with AI. I think we’ve got a pretty bright future based off of what we’re doing.”

If you want to equip yourself with the skills needed to make you an effective business leader and ensure a high starting salary in a sector bursting with opportunities, then becoming a CPA might be the route for you.

Learn more and find out how to get started by visiting bccpa.ca.