We invite our alumni to share their success. Please consider adding to those below by contacting our alumni coordinator.
- Please walk us through your background (country of origin, previous job, qualifications, etc.)
I started my work after graduation as an inventory coordinator in 2011 in Iran. Then, my husband and I decided to work as an entrepreneur and stablished our own restaurant. I worked as the assistant manager and operated the restaurant. After a few years I decided to run my own restaurant. So, I started my own business.
- How did you decide on joining the MFAc Program? (What was your motivation, what did you expect to learn from it)
So, I found out this program as a platform to integrate my practical experience to academic training. This program will prepare me to work as an entrepreneur here in Canada.
- Why did you enrol in the FACC 6850 Practicum Course? (Motivation and outcome)
When I was reading the course description in MFAc, I realized the internship possibility in this program. I found out this would be great if I could do my internship to gain financial knowledge as well. Also, I thought that would be very helpful to have some Canadian work experience as I was new to Canada.
- What was the biggest challenge you faced when you started working? How did you overcome it? (talk about your accounting background, how you were determined into learning accounting etc…)
Well, the biggest challenge was the understanding of financial concepts. I did not have any accounting background so it was a little difficult for me at first, but passing time has helped me to figure out many things. The other thing was budgeting. I was supposed to prepare a full budget for Et al, so my supervisor gave me a book about budgeting and by reading that I could prepare a budget for Et al.
- What skills or expertise would you say you have gain or enhance through the internship?
This was a good opportunity provided for me by the help of professor Paul. I learnt how to use QuickBooks and how to enter all the data and organized them. Also, it was helpful for me to put it in my resume as a Canadian work experience.
- What advice would you give to students looking for an internship?
First of all, I suggest them to do the internship even unpaid because it would help them a lot to develop their soft skills. Also, it would be very helpful to be confident in their future career.
- What advice would you give to students who might lack a skill?
I recommend students to write down their weaknesses and work on them. They also could take advantage of the MIAB career skills sessions, they are very helpful for the students to develop new skills.
- Please walk us through your background (country of origin, previous job, qualifications, etc.)
I am from Iran. I have working experience of 18 years in the accounting field. I worked in different positions throughout the years such as Budget analyst, management accountant, financial manager. I graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of accounting.
- When did you join the MFAc Program and how did you decide on joining the MFAc Program? (What was your motivation, what did you expect to learn from it)
I joined the MFAc program in September 2018, after two decades working, I decided to fill the gaps which I feel I had. By reviewing programs, I saw MFAc was exactly what I was looking for: To complement my corporate governance knowledge.
- What skills or expertise would you say you have gain or enhance through the MFAc program?
There are a lot of fields that students can enhance here. According to my background, risk, financial analytics, corporate governance, performance measurement and compensation were areas I enjoyed. In addition, concepts of ethics and IT security also were new subjects which I learned.
- How easy was it for you to get a job after graduating from the program?
As an international student without Canadian experience, it was not easy. I worked on resume and career searching for about 6 months and finally I found an internship. They also employed me immediately after graduation.
- How did you get into this field?
Based on my background and MFAs, I targeted financial analyst as one of the positions which I look for.
- Which of your personal traits and professional skills helped you the most?
Other than professional skills such as finance, accounting, corporate governance, I think being on time for events, pursuing companies’ events and HR was very useful.
- What are the opportunities for career advancement in your field?
I have a long way in front. In the company there are at least 4 levels of controllership positions which I would like to apply in future and progress within my career.
- What advice would you provide to students who are interested to work in the same field as you?
First target correct positions and then attending university career events. Of course, I recommend choosing Advanced Financial Analytics.
- Are there any other fields that would suggest that the student explore?
Students can explore many arenas especially compliance and audit, business law, risk, and corporate secretary positions.
- What was the biggest challenge you faced when you started working? How did you overcome it?
For me the biggest challenge was communication, digesting cultural differences, and software challenges.
- What advice would you give to students looking for an internship/graduate opportunities in your given field?
First to be in connection with MIAB and their support, second planning from first term. Using career centre training and events, but do not rely on their advice solely and go beyond by enrolling in the internship course(practicum).
- What advice would you give to students who might lack a skill or do not feel confident?
In my opinion, employers do not look for the best professional or skilled person. They look for the best match with position and team. Therefore, other than highlighting your skills, show you are flexible, able to multitask, enthusiastic within the working group and adaptable to changing environments. But most importantly- be honest.
- Please walk us through your background (country of origin, previous job, qualifications, etc.)
I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree in the United States and worked for an Accounting firm in Honolulu. Later, I enrolled in the MFAc program and worked for two Toronto-based Executive Compensation consulting firms, where I gained experience working with publicly-listed Canadian and U.S. company Boards and Senior Management on Governance and Executive Compensation matters. Currently, I work at a Corporate Governance consulting firm and in my current role I work with Boards and Senior Executives of large public companies in areas of Corporate Governance and Executive Compensation, specifically on special situations involving proxy contests, contested meetings, and M&As. Further, in my current role I’ve gained experience in both representing dissident shareholders launching activist campaigns against management or defending against hostile actions of dissidents.
- When did you join the MFAc Program and how did you decide on joining the MFAc Program? (What was your motivation, what did you expect to learn from it)
I joined the program in the winter of 2015. I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of capital markets and expand my knowledge on corporate governance practices with this program. Specifically, I wanted to learn how good governance practices can protect and create shareholder wealth in the long-run, and how governance structures deal with sustainability issues.
- What skills or expertise would you say you have gained or enhanced through the MFAc program?
I think the MFAc program provided me with the skills-set that I needed to assess public company Boards and to identify their vulnerabilities to potential threats from activists. The topics covered in this program has also provided me with the ammunition I need to handle more complex governance issues such as;
- how to remove an underperforming director from a Board;
- how to defend incumbent directors from a dissident seeking majority control of the Board; and
- how to assess the pro-forma governance profile of two merged entities, and if the governance profile of the merged entity is to change for the worse, how do you assess if the valuation or strategic rationale of the transaction outweigh any deterioration in governance.
- How easy was it for you to get a job after graduating from the program?
I continued to network with my former lecturers of the program and worked hard to expand my network. That really helped me land my first job right after I graduated.
- How did you get into this field?
[Explained in my response to Q2]
- Which of your personality traits and professional skills helped you the most?
I always maintain an open mind and am eager to learn something new from everyone. I think that mindset has really helped me succeed.
- What are the opportunities for career advancement in your field?
Not sure if I’m understanding this question correctly. Are you asking what opportunities for advancement I have with my current experience?
- What advice would you provide to students who are interested in working in the same field as you?
If you’re interested in a career in corporate governance, my advice would be to start reading the proxy circulars of the TSX-60 issuers and begin with assessing their governance and compensation practices from the lens of shareholders. Familiarize yourself with the proxy voting guidelines of the large institutional investors, and proxy advisors such as the Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis. Additionally, I would also suggest following a few companies that are of interest to you, check if they have received shareholder proposals in the past and what was the outcome of those proposals, and study the style and format of investor decks published by organizations.
- Are there any other fields you suggest that students explore?
- Investor relations
- Responsible investing roles at Pension Funds
- Legal studies
- Investment banking (for those with a very strong background in Finance only)
- Risk management
- What was the biggest challenge you faced when you started working? How did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I faced initially was applying the concepts I learnt in school in real world situations. Not every public company wants to incorporate all those good governance practices you learnt in school, they need tailored solutions based on their business strategy and their risk profile. I quickly overcame it by learning more about each individual company and the unique challenges they’re facing, and then tailored my solutions based on their needs.
- What advice would you give to students looking for internship/graduate opportunities in your given field?
Focus on getting exceptional grades and network with potential employers.
- What advice would you give to students who might lack a skill or do not feel confident?
Be confident in what you do and believe in yourself. Remember that you have earned a specialized degree. Board directors and senior managers around the world turn to governance experts for help when they are being threatened by activists, when they need help with contested meetings, and when they need to instil good governance practices to attract institutional capital. You have a competitive edge over others with this degree. With an MFAc the world will be your oyster!
- Please walk us through your background (country of origin it should be place of birth, previous job, qualifications, etc.)
I was born in Egypt, I am an Accountant from the day I finished school, and I worked for EGYPT & MIDDLE EAST COMPANY (this a very big company exists in 26 countries with different names) and in the age of 25 I became a controller. I am holding MFAC, a Bachelor of commerce major accounting, in depth tax course (3 years) and I am a CPA, CA, CMA as well.
- When did you join the MFAc Program and how did you decide on joining the MFAc Program? What skills or expertise would you say you have gained or enhanced through the MFAc program? (What was your motivation, what did you expect to learn from it, what was the outcome)
I joined MFAC in 2009 first person I think because I was always talking to professor Evans that York should have a master degree, until York started the MFAC. The MFAC was a great tool to improve the way I approach difficult working issues, and studying for my CA exams. In particular accounting theory by professor Peng, Financial analysis by Professor Roberson, and many other subjects.
- Did you enroll FACC 6850 Practicum Course? If yes, why? What skills or expertise would you say you have gain or enhance through the internship? (Motivation and outcome) What advice would you give to students looking for an internship?
I did not take FACC 6850 Practicum Course, but a similar course FACC 6840. The goal of the research was to introduce a job costing system to the stake holders in order to evaluate performance per job. It was for a trailer manufacture company. I did not have internship because I always had my own practice, however I helped a college to get an internship with the company for three months. The advice is to make yourself valuable to the company, meaning what you offering to the employer? How is this different from others, and how your skills would help the employer?
- What advice would you provide to students who are interested in working in the same field as you?
There is a big demand for tax practitioners, and Audit staff. Volunteer in CPA firms during tax season usually firms hire during September of every tear. Get firm list from the CPA Ontario and send your resume with a covering letter explain why you would be a good fit for the firm.
- What was the biggest challenge you faced when you started working? How did you overcome it?
That was before I got my designation, how to get the required audit hours, I did what I advised you on the privies question.
- Which of your personality traits and professional skills helped you the most?
My education, and experience in the accounting field, more reading and keep up-to-date with new regulations and tax laws.
- Are there any other fields you suggest that students explore?
The field that you like, nothing worse than working in a job you do not like.
CIBC Annual Achiever is individual who has made exceptional contributions to enhancing and deepening client relationships at CIBC. A role model for excellence, commitment, and living the values of trust, teamwork and accountability. This is Annual distinguished honour – the highest level of recognition.
Zahid is currently working as Senior Manager & Team Leader in CIBC Commercial Banking, Central Interior & Northern BC.
MFAc 2012 graduate Zahid Islam has been awarded as a Top Performer in Scotiabank commercial banking 2014, in the Best of the Best Program.
Best of the Best Award is a prestigious employee award in Scotiabank. Awarded to the employees for an exemplary performance, a passion for work and commitment to their customers, the awardees form the hallmark of Scotiabank's Applause program.
Testimonial
The MFAc degree from York has equipped me to face any professional challenges and successfully start a career as a Client Relationship Manager in Commercial Banking in Scotiabank. As a new immigrant MFAc was my first Canadian education. The skills gained in this program has helped me a great deal to mitigate risk, reduce expenses, and provide solutions to the commercial clients' financial needs. This stellar performance has earned me the Top Performance Award 2014 in Scotiabank Commercial Banking. I attribute this success to the MFAc program and all the members of MFAc family.