First class: FBIT’s inaugural Accounting summer graduate diploma recipients

University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Accounting 2016 graduate Pam Pratt has her eyes set on a career as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). While completing the final year of her undergraduate degree with the Faculty of Business and Information Technology (FBIT), Pratt followed the ongoing creation of FBIT’s Graduate Diploma (GDip) in Accounting program.

So when FBIT announced the GDip program would launch in the Spring/Summer of 2016, Pratt knew she wanted to be part of the inaugural class.

“The graduate diploma is a great way to fast track your CPA certification,” says Pratt. “The small class size allows students to debate, interact and work effectively as a group. We also had outstanding guidance from the professors who were always accessible to share their knowledge and experience.”  

The 14-week program is accredited by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario. The condensed format enables students to get a jump start into their careers.

“Student response to our program was enthusiastic from the moment we announced it,” says Dr. Jennifer Percival, Associate Dean, FBIT. “This new graduate program replaces the first four modules of the CPA Professional Education Program and provides a faster track to becoming a CPA, as well as enhanced marketability for flexible career choices.”

Instructors bring extensive professional and teaching experience at all levels of accounting education. Graduates are prepared to lead and succeed in today’s competitive workplace.

“Our program model emphasizes problem solving, decision making and provides significant face-to-face learning with qualified faculty,” says Dr. John Friedlan, Associate Professor (Accounting) and the Accounting Program Director. “These students are prepared for success in the last two Professional Education Program (PEP) modules and the Common Final Examination, the last educational step to earning the coveted CPA designation. The UOIT program covers all four PEP modules – finance, financial reporting, tax, and assurance, so students are ready for anything.”

In addition to the 16 UOIT Bachelor of Commerce Accounting Majors, one of the students was a graduate of the University of Guelph.

Pratt, who has been employed with TD Bank since 2013, has recently accepted a position a Financial Analyst with TD Commercial Banking.

“I am looking forward to putting my new skills to work. It was a great way to learn this summer. I got a lot out of this program.”