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Careers in Accounting & Finance: Terry Woo
Terry Woo, Age: 39
Career
Title of occupation: Accounting Manager
Company Name: Miller Thomson LLP
Years at position: 5 years
SalaryRange: It depends on experience, but it could be anywhere from $35,000 to $160,000. Top range administrators who have more experience and certification, for instance, lawyers, can earn over a half million dollars.
Salary Potential: Over a half million dollars, but it depends on the year and what kind of partnership you have.
Company Name: Miller Thomson LLP
Years at position: 5 years
SalaryRange: It depends on experience, but it could be anywhere from $35,000 to $160,000. Top range administrators who have more experience and certification, for instance, lawyers, can earn over a half million dollars.
Salary Potential: Over a half million dollars, but it depends on the year and what kind of partnership you have.
Typical work week: 10 to 14 hours per day. “Usually accountants are the first to come and the last to leave.”
Education
Degree: BA from SFU, CMA
School: SFU
Grad year: SFU – 1995, CMA – 2000
Length of program/Work placement: It took me a year to get my first accounting job at BC Shipper’s Supplies. CMA has an employment website only accessible to members. A CMA is called a professional designation, which took me 5 years. There is a fast track option now, so if you pass everything, it can now be done under 3 years. (I.E. If you take the right courses in university, especially SFU, UBC, Okanagan Thompson River, and with agreements with CMA, you can take the entrance exam right after you receive your degree)
Advice: Look at the 3 designations – CMA, CGA, CA - see exactly how each designation fits your career goals. Each one is different in focus (schooling, work experience). Also consider how your career will unfold and concentrate on the different industries. I.E. CA focuses more on public accounting – i.e. taxation, audits, while a CMA focuses more on managing.
Personally, I decided that a public practice was not for me. I wanted to manage companies.
School: SFU
Grad year: SFU – 1995, CMA – 2000
Length of program/Work placement: It took me a year to get my first accounting job at BC Shipper’s Supplies. CMA has an employment website only accessible to members. A CMA is called a professional designation, which took me 5 years. There is a fast track option now, so if you pass everything, it can now be done under 3 years. (I.E. If you take the right courses in university, especially SFU, UBC, Okanagan Thompson River, and with agreements with CMA, you can take the entrance exam right after you receive your degree)
Advice: Look at the 3 designations – CMA, CGA, CA - see exactly how each designation fits your career goals. Each one is different in focus (schooling, work experience). Also consider how your career will unfold and concentrate on the different industries. I.E. CA focuses more on public accounting – i.e. taxation, audits, while a CMA focuses more on managing.
Personally, I decided that a public practice was not for me. I wanted to manage companies.
Lifestyle
Favorite recreational activity: To race my car
Upcoming vacation plans: None yet
In five years, I see myself enjoying: My mortgage, he jokes. But seriously, I see myself advancing my career and racing. I see different positions. I’m always looking for an opportunity to apply what I’ve learned, always looking to move up.
Upcoming vacation plans: None yet
In five years, I see myself enjoying: My mortgage, he jokes. But seriously, I see myself advancing my career and racing. I see different positions. I’m always looking for an opportunity to apply what I’ve learned, always looking to move up.
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