In most years, usually a couple of NIC students write their Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) common final examination (CFE).

This time, nine students wrote and passed their CFE, and to celebrate, they recently gathered with other accounting alumni to mark their success.

Last September, the students took the examination, which lasts 13 hours over three days, then had to anxiously wait until December to find out the results.

“It's a very challenging national exam,” said Judith Marriott, FCPA, FCA, Department Chair, Business Administration at NIC.

Because NIC often has one or two students who write the CFE each year, this year marks an impressive achievement for both the students and the college, with each of the students now reaching a significant career milestone where they can become a Chartered Professional Accountant.

“When they graduate from NIC, most students have completed either a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting or a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting,” Marriott said.

After getting the good news, NIC and the students held a social event at Crown Isle in Courtenay to mark the occasion. While a couple of students could not attend, the other seven were joined by several alumni members and NIC representatives.

“These alumni have been successful within their chosen CPA careers and are now managers and partners in local accounting firms. We are grateful for our connections with these firms, all of whom, continue to hire our graduating students,” Marriott said.

NIC’s successful alumni, she said, provide an important reminder that students are able to complete their education in the Comox Valley and find successful accounting careers in the community. Although a few of the students find success elsewhere, most of them have established their careers close to home.

Marriott has been gaining further attention for her own accomplishments, which underscore the success of the NIC program. In November 2023, she was elected to Fellowship with the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC). More recently, she received the Business Leadership Award from the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce at its annual awards event in January.

She will be at NIC Fest at the Comox Valley campus on March 13, so people can drop by to find out more information about all the business programs offered at NIC. They can also get information about NIC business programs online.