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BBZ Productions<\/p>\n
We caught up with Yoko to answer some of the most common questions people have about becoming a CPA.<\/p>\n
Q: Firstly, can you tell us a bit about yourself?<\/p>\n
A:\u00a0Hi, I\u2019m Yoko. Before I moved to Canada, I worked in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force for 12 years as an officer, and my previous world was all about aircraft operation and transporting Japanese VIPs such as the prime minister and the royal family members on government aircraft.<\/p>\n
I moved to Vancouver in 2017 and started a completely new chapter of my life. Now I work as a senior assurance associate with PwC and I recently got my CPA designation in Canada.<\/p>\n
Q: What made you decide to enroll in the CPA program?<\/p>\n
A: Honestly, accounting was never part of my original plan. After I moved to Canada, I made new friends, and someone who I met through social media suggested that I consider accounting and becoming a CPA. At first, I thought, \u201cAccounting? Me?\u201d But I was open to new opportunities and trying something new. That one conversation changed my life.<\/p>\n
Q: How did you stay motivated during your studies?<\/p>\n
A: To be honest, there were days when I felt tired and overwhelmed. What kept me going was remembering why I started this journey \u2014 I wanted to build a career in Canada and to prove to myself that I could become a professional in a new country and in a new language.<\/p>\n
Support is definitely important. A classmate or a friend can remind you that struggling doesn\u2019t mean you are failing, it means you are growing. Sometimes what you need most isn\u2019t another study guide. It\u2019s someone saying, \u201cYou\u2019ve got this. Keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Q: \u00a0What strength helped you the most during the CPA program? <\/p>\n
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A: Resilience \u2014 I learned that I am more resilient than I thought! I didn\u2019t pass a couple of exams in the CPA program on the first try, and there were moments when I doubted myself. But I kept going, and the experience showed me that I just needed a little more time.<\/p>\n
Q: What\u2019s the biggest benefit of earning the CPA designation?<\/p>\n
A: Credibility and confidence. As a newcomer to Canada and someone who changed careers, the CPA designation helped me feel that I truly belonged in the profession. It also gave me more opportunities to connect with other professionals.<\/p>\n
Q: What\u2019s the biggest challenge you\u2019ve faced as a new CPA? <\/p>\n
A: One of my biggest challenges has been building my professional brand and figuring out what I want to be known for. I\u2019ve worked with a wide range of clients, including public and private companies and government organizations. That experience has been valuable, but I need to decide where I want to focus in the future.<\/p>\n
To help with that, I work with my career coach at PwC to review my experiences and identify opportunities that align with my long-term goals. That has given me confidence and clarity about my career path.<\/p>\n
Q: What if someone\u2019s not sure they\u2019re qualified to start the CPA program?<\/p>\n
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BBZ Productions<\/p>\n
A: My advice is simple: don\u2019t let fear make decisions for you. If you\u2019re thinking, \u201cMy English isn\u2019t good enough\u201d or \u201cIt\u2019s too late to change careers,\u201d I would say your background is not a weakness. It\u2019s the thing that makes your journey unique.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t need to have everything figured out before you start. If you are curious, willing to learn, and open to new opportunities, the CPA path can take you further than you expect.<\/p>\n
Yoko\u2019s journey is a good reminder that there isn\u2019t just one way to become a CPA. And as her experience shows, it\u2019s a path that can lead to possibilities you never expected and a rewarding career.<\/p>\n