Meet the three CFE writers who landed regional honours
From left to right: Brittany Harnum, Aydan Schat and Camille Rhéaume (Images provided)
The three-day Common Final Examination (CFE) is known to be an intense experience and passing it is an achievement in itself. This September, 4,648 individuals were successful in its undertaking, with 59 candidates attaining Honour Roll status.
Aside from the top overall writer receiving the Governor General’s Gold Medal, CPA Canada also awards a $2,500 cash prize to the regional winners who received top marks.
Brittany Harnum from Grant Thornton in St. John’s, Nfld. is the Atlantic Canada winner; Aydan Schat from Indwell in Hamilton is the Ontario winner; and Camille Rhéaume from Mallette S.E.N.C.R.L. in Quebec City is the Quebec winner.
We asked the three regional winners to share how they prepped for the exam, the challenges they overcame and what their plans are for the future.
CPA CANADA: WHAT DOES BEING NAMED AS THE REGIONAL WINNER MEAN TO YOU?
Brittany Harnum (BH): I was wondering whether I passed the exam so I never expected to be a regional winner. Learning I was on the honour roll was huge. The accomplishment means a lot to me and I’m grateful for all the support from my friends, family and co-workers.
Aydan Schat (AS): To hear I was a winner validates my decision to pursue the designation and functions as an encouragement that all of the time and effort that I spent studying was really worth it. It’s shocking, exciting and a huge honour.
Camille Rhéaume (CR): I never imagined that I would achieve this. I was still processing the fact that I had passed the exam when I found out. It was the reaction of the people around me, in the hours and days that followed, that made me realize the significance of it and made me feel proud.
CPA CANADA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE PREPARING TO WRITE THE CFE?
BH: Complete the case studies within the time constraint—I think that is what contributed to my success on the CFE. Also, taking time off from studying is important if you want to avoid getting overwhelmed, especially in the lead-up to the exam.
AS: The feedback guides are the bread and butter of studying and will help you figure out what you did wrong—or need to do differently. I reviewed every feedback guide for the Capstone 2 module, including the sample material from previous exams that were provided. Even if you didn’t write the case, review the guide in order to familiarize yourself with the wide array of assessment opportunities. In the actual exam you have no time to waste words and the feedback guide is the best way to learn how to avoid doing that.
CR: First, get to know yourself, because everyone wants to give you advice, but no one knows better than you what will work in your situation (pace of work, leisure time, etc.). You also need to focus on balance: the CFE is a marathon, and I’ve seen many people burn out in the first few weeks. Finally, since you can’t really prepare for this exam alone, surround yourself with people who have different strengths than you—who can show you, for example, how they formulate certain answers.
CPA CANADA: WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE THE CPA DESIGNATION?
BH: I was inspired to pursue the designation after listening to the professors at Memorial University of Newfoundland (where I was a student) speaking about the multiple opportunities the CPA designation brings and completing three work terms at Grant Thornton. There are no CPAs in my family—I am the first.
AS: I’m going to give that credit to my mentor Vicki Wilson, a partner at the firm, who told me I won the award. Seeing the way that she shaped her accounting career was quite inspiring to me. She was also my go-to whenever I was feeling exhausted and demoralized and needed support.
CR: When I was in CEGEP, I met a CPA, Hélène Michel, who is the managing partner in charge of the audit department at Mallette Québec. I knew about the auditing profession because my father, also a CPA, used to be an auditor and talked to me about it. But it was Hélène who told me about all the opportunities the designation offers. It made me realize how many career options there are.
CPA CANADA: HOW HAS THE CPA PROGRAM HELPED TO DEVELOP YOUR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES?
BH: The program helped me develop time management, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which has impacted how I perform in my job and how I interact with clients and colleagues.
AS: The biggest piece has to do with intentionality in identifying goals and how to achieve them. I found this to be the case, especially with the enabling competencies. While the technical competencies are all laid out for you so you know what to do, you have to be really intentional about what skills you want to develop with the enabling competencies and find opportunities to do that.
CR: Apart from the technical knowledge, I really developed my ability to work under pressure and manage my time well to be more efficient. I had to work a lot on this in university and it has greatly improved my overall performance over the past few years.
CPA CANADA: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED OR DISCOVERED ABOUT YOURSELF WHILE PURSUING THE CPA DESIGNATION?
BH: I’ve discovered that I can effectively work under pressure and solve problems better than I previously thought I could. I used to get anxious, but now I have learned how to focus and work effectively.
AS: I’ve learned a lot about how to drive myself. There were stretches where it was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel and I had to really push through when I wasn’t enjoying the work at that time. Also, learning to lean on other people who were happy to support me was key.
CR: I have discovered an interest in training. To prepare for the CFE, you work a lot as a team, collaborating and marking each other’s practice cases. I enjoyed answering questions from my colleagues and it gave me great personal satisfaction. It also helped me grow a lot.
CPA CANADA: WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS AS A CPA?
BH: Up until now the biggest goal was getting the designation—I couldn’t see past that. I currently work as an accountant in the assurance department at Grant Thornton and I am happy here, as the firm offers immense opportunity for growth. I’m also looking at how I can be a mentor for my colleagues in the program and hopefully see them succeed.
AS: I have a lot of passion for the work non-profits do. I’ve just joined Indwell, an organization that’s focusing on affordable housing and health and wellness support. So this is just the beginning. I’m really excited to see where the role can take me and how I can continue to learn and make a positive impact with the experience I’ve acquired up to this point.
CR: I don’t have a career plan. I’m happy where I am and I see myself staying for several more years to gain experience. I would also like to train people (internally, for example), and maybe even teach at a university one day. I know for sure that I’d like to play the role that others have played in my life in promoting the profession. We’ve come a long way, but still people don’t always realize all the opportunities available to CPAs.
DRUM ROLL FOR THE 2022 CFE HONOUR ROLL
View the complete list of candidates who made the honour roll list and hear from the overall CFE Gold Medallist about how she landed the top spot.