CMA Strategic Excellence Award Recipients
The CMA Strategic Excellence Award is presented to the team that achieves the highest grade in the Board Report module of the CMA Program.
The recipients for 2013 are Marta Cygan, Jacob Thekkakara, Mazy Wong, and XiaoBo Yan.
Marta Cygan, CPA, CMA
Mazy wong, CPA, CMA
Birthplace & current city of residence:
Edmonton, AB; Surrey, BC.
Birthplace & current city of residence: Hong
Kong, P.R. China; Richmond, BC.
Employer & position: NDG Financial Corp.;
intermediate accountant.
Employer & position: WorkSafeBC; assessment
officer.
What’s your favourite memory of the CMA
program? Looking around the room during
convocation—seeing so many familiar faces and reminiscing about how
far we’ve come as individuals and professionals since orientation day.
What’s your favourite memory of the CMA
program? It was during our final presentation
of the Board Report, when the board told us: “You guys nailed it!”
What’s next? For now, enjoying my free time and hopefully doing
some travelling and volunteering.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received? To think of your
career as a series of experiences that are yours to keep, and that no
one else will have the same blend of experiences as you.
What’s your greatest personal accomplishment, other than earning
your CMA? Receiving the Strategic Excellence Award. My team and
I had devoted so much time and effort into this final project, so it was
an incredible feeling knowing that our hard work had paid off.
Jacob Thekkakara, CPA, CMA
Birthplace & current city of residence:
Vancouver, BC.
Employer & position: Canaccord Genuity;
senior corporate finance accountant.
What’s your favourite memory of the CMA
program? Celebrating with my group after the
final Board Report presentation and reminiscing about the past two
years of SLP.
What advice would you give to other students? To look at pursuing
an accounting designation not as an extra few years of studying, but
as an opportunity to grow—both personally and in your career.
Who would you like to thank for providing support during your
studies? I would not have achieved this designation if it was not for
all the love, support, and motivation from my parents and fiancée.
What’s next? I promised my fiancée that I will focus my attention on
planning our summer wedding.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received? Find what you
love to do and then get paid to do it.
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CPABC in Focus • Jan 2014
Who would you like to thank for providing support during your
studies? My friends, colleagues, and my family for their support and
encouragement when I was exhausted, frustrated, or doubting myself. WorkSafeBC, especially my manager, Dave McBride, for supporting my career development all along. My SLP teammates for
sharing their knowledge and expertise, and providing constructive
feedback. Finally, my SLP moderators—Pat Kennedy, CPA, FCMA,
and Debbie Musil, CPA, CMA—for their advice throughout the
program.
What’s next? I’ve just taken on a new position with WorkSafeBC, and
I’m looking forward to applying what I’ve learned to this new job.
Also, travelling is a passion, so I want to continue exploring.
What advice would you give to other students? Be open to constructive feedback and learn from the strength of others. Share your
best knowledge, and you will get that in return!
XiaoBo Yan, CPA, CMA
Birthplace & current city of residence: Xi’an,
P.R. China; Victoria, BC.
Employer & position: Silian Sapphire
Corporation; finance controller.
What’s your favourite memory of the CMA
program? During year two of SLP, my teammates would pick me up and drop me off at the ferry terminal for all
of our project meetings. That’s dedication!
Who would you like to thank for providing support during your
studies? My teammates: Marta Cygan, Jacob Thekkakara, and Mazy
Wong, as well as my wife, Wendy Chen. Wendy fully supported me
during the three years of the CMA program.
What’s next? I’m a new immigrant to Canada, so I’m continuing to
learn about Canada’s laws, tax system, and culture.