Sault College accounting students get a head start on their careers

Sault College welcomed officials from Registered Professional Accounting Canada for a signing ceremony this week, solidifying the partnership between the institute and the accounting group. (Photo from video)

Students in Sault College’s business accounting program have a new learning pathway that will ultimately give them a head start to a career.

The college welcomed officials from Registered Professional Accounting Canada for a signing ceremony this week, solidifying the partnership between the institute and the accounting group.

This year, Sault College accounting students will be able to take part in a fast-tracked course that will help them become RPA designated.

Prof. Barb Bringleson, the coordinator in Sault College’s School of Business, said the relationship will greatly assist students.

"Having a designation issued from a third party really helps to validate an individual’s skills and experiences, which is very important in today’s job market," Bringleson said.

She said the relationship is a long time coming, and boosts the program throughout the two years students are at the college.

"We've been working with RPA Canada for the past six months on developing this partnership," Bringleson said.

"It involved detailed examination of all of the accounting courses within the program … We made a few modifications just to ensure that we're meeting the standards, required by the designation."

Anyone in Canada looking to become RPA-designated needs to pass four tests upon graduation. This pathway will fast-track the process and graduates will be just two online courses away from RPA designation.

Officials with RPA Canada said the industry sorely needs new blood, especially students who are ready to work.

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CEO Zubair Choudhry said the Covid-19 pandemic prompted the retirement of many accountants, and a change in technology across the industry.

Choudhry hopes partnerships like this can address their shortcomings.

"There was a big gap in the accounting profession providing services to the small- to medium-sized businesses and RPA is the one that fill that gap," he said.

"And that demand in the industry for accountants specifically trained to serve small- to medium-sized businesses is the RPA as a specialty."

Choudhry said there are plans with the college to further address specific gaps in the industry.

"We are in the process with Sault College to bring a specialization in accounting, finance and management for mining and natural resources."