Explore our student opportunities
The Centre for Excellence in Professional Accounting aims to actively promote the growth of accounting students through exciting learning opportunities, crucial soft skills training, and networking events to build your connection with the business community.
Career and Concentration Information
Looking for information on accounting? What courses should I take at Haskayne? How do I start the job search process? What does it mean to be a CPA? Check out these CEPA guides and let us know if you have any questions. We're here to help.
Guide on recommended classes and sequencing for students in the Haskayne Accounting Program.
Questions? Email careercentre@haskayne.ucalgary.ca
Networking tips for students in the Haskayne Accounting Program.
Questions? Email careercentre@haskayne.ucalgary.ca
Job search advice for students in the Haskayne Accounting Program.
Questions? Email careercentre@haskayne.ucalgary.ca
If I could recommend anything to accounting students, it would be to build your network. Accounting is such a small world and having supportive peers to navigate the experience with makes a big difference.
Joey Pamatmat, CPA
Assistant Manager, Deloitte
Soft skills micro-credential badges
Stand out in a competitive market with the CEPA soft skill micro-credential badges. Beyond the classroom, this is an opportunity to apply the accounting knowledge you have acquired to relevant assignments that will challenge your thinking. Upon completion, students will earn a badge that signifies your dedication to personal and professional growth. Badges can be attached to your LinkedIn profile and shown to potential employers. Sign up to enhance your employability and excel in accounting.
Effective writing allows you to express your thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely. Learn ten fundamental business writing principles, including the business writing process, crafting impactful emails, and mastering various writing structures.
Learn to excel in any team setting through collaboration. The CEPA badge covers topics including how to become a valuable team member to evaluating ineffective teamwork and mitigating conflicts.
Gain the thought process to analyze information objectively, evaluate different perspectives, and make informed decisions. The CEPA badge is currently development, stay tuned for content release.
Accounting is much more than numbers. I spend 95% of my day meeting with people, talking to clients and employees, discussing issues with clients, working on business development and really developing relationships. The accounting profession is about solving difficult issues for companies across different aspects of their operations.
Reynold Tetzlaff
Vice-Chair and Managing Partner, PwC Canada
Join the Accounting Student Association (ASA)
ASA is a student-run club dedicated to helping accounting students make the most of your time at Haskayne. Whether you need assistance with your accounting courses or want to learn more about the accounting profession– the ASA can help. ASA will also support you to find an accounting job, provide exam prep materials, and connect you to great networking events such as Industry Nights, CPA Roundtables, Haskayne Accounting Case Competition, Big4 tours, and more.
Explore the CPA designation
Accounting remains a resilient and burgeoning sector in Canada, projected to have approximately 88,000 new job openings over the next decade1. Even with the emergence of cognitive automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the expectation is that these innovations will make accountants more valuable by enhancing their day-to-day tasks and increasing their efficiency. According to the Government of Canada2, by relegating highly repetitive and rules-based tasks to AI, accountants will be empowered to leverage their expertise, knowledge, and professional judgment. Tomorrow’s accountants will assume more advisory, strategic, and leadership roles – such as collaborating with business intelligence practitioners or procurement professionals to develop strategic sourcing plans3.
The CPA designation is a path that you should consider. In Alberta, new CPAs earn on average $50,000 to $60,000, and after six years of employment the average salary increases to $100,000 to $110,0004. Students interested in the CPA designation are advised to incorporate the requisite CPA courses into your undergraduate curriculum. For further details, please refer to this CPA Alberta Transfer Credit Guide, speak to a Haskayne program specialist through Haskayne Student Services or email CPA Alberta directly at GettingStarted@cpaalberta.ca.
1Government of Canada, n.d.
2CPA Canada, n.d.
3Poli, 2021
4Employment data provided by Lightcast, 2023