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BC's UFE Honour Roll Students
Meet BC’s 2009 UFE Honour Roll Students!
By Michelle McRae, Editor, Beyond Numbers*
It is with great pleasure that we introduce the 12 BC students who made the National Honour Roll for the 2009 UFE: Jolene Kendrew (National Gold Medallist), Leanna Ho, Siobhan Hughes, Morgan Kenny, Grace Loh, Ilya Margulis, Sumeet Sangha, Matt Stevens, James Stewart, Dylan Vokey, Nina Wang, and Sean Wilson.
If any of these people have been acting strange lately, now you know why: They’ve had to keep the good news a secret for over a week!
Jolene Alice Kendrew (née Boehm) – National Gold Medallist
 UFE writers will tell you that walking out on that third day of the exam can leave you feeling numb, depressed, anxious, relieved… or some combination thereof. Jolene Kendrew had hoped to emerge with a sense of confidence, but instead found herself full of doubt.
“The experience was more emotionally and mentally draining than I expected it to be,” she says. “When I walked out of the exam, I was relieved that the three days were finally over, but I was completely exhausted. In the end, I felt just like everyone said I would—awful!”
So it came as a complete shock when Jolene learned she’d not only made the national honour roll, but placed first in Canada, netting the Governor General’s Gold Medal.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she says.
Looking back, Jolene says the most challenging aspect of the entire UFE process was learning to walk away at 5:00pm and focus her energy on something other than the upcoming exam.
“I knew that a balanced study plan was crucial for success,” she says, “but it was still difficult to walk away when a simulation didn’t go well.”
The support of a few key people helped her stay focused and positive.
“I couldn’t have managed this process without my husband Jeff supporting me and encouraging me to take time off when I was burning out,” Jolene says. “And Jennifer Reed, CA, the acting director of finance for the City of Colwood, provided me with much needed encouragement and advice on surviving the summer—especially during the ‘low’ moments.”
She also gives credit to her study buddy, Laura Belding, an articling student with KPMG LLP in Victoria.
“Laura kept the two of us on track,” Jolene says. “The hours of constructive discussion and feedback we shared helped us both continuously improve.”
The pair met while Jolene was also articling at KPMG’s Victoria office. She’d joined the firm in 2006 after earning a bachelor of commerce degree with a specialization in general business from the University of Victoria.
Jolene completed her articling experience in 2008, and accepted a position in local government. Today, she’s the acting deputy director of finance for the City of Colwood, a municipality just west of Victoria.
Looking to the future, she says she hopes to get involved in CA education.
“Growing up in Kelowna, I always wanted to be a teacher, because I loved helping others learn,” she says. “So I’d like to get involved in teaching and mentoring future CAs— through CASB and perhaps other post-secondary institutions.”
With the UFE now behind her, Jolene is one step closer to this goal. Her advice to future writers is to seek encouragement and help when needed.
“There will be moments where you feel like you’ve stopped improving, and those are the most difficult to get through,” she cautions. “Take breaks when you’re burning out and never give up—if you take the steps advised by those who came before you, you will be successful!”
Jolene enjoys spending time with friends and family, running, highland dancing, and reading.
Leanna Ho
 “When I walked out of the UFE, I was very excited and relieved to finally be done,” says Leanna Ho. “I didn’t know what the outcome would be, but I knew I’d done my best.”
For Leanna, the toughest part of the whole process was maintaining her confidence level.
“When you’re preparing for the UFE, there are times when everything seems to fall into place with relatively little effort,” she says. “But then there are also days when nothing seems to work. The challenge, I think, lies in not getting discouraged on those days when you may not be performing at your peak. And what’s important is that you learn from your mistakes.”
Also key, says Leanna, is developing a coherent preparation strategy.
“The most rewarding part of my UFE experience was creating a study plan and sticking to it,” she recounts. “It gave me the confidence of knowing that I’d done the best I could to prepare myself for the exam.”
Clearly, sticking to this study plan paid off for the honour roll student. Also instrumental to her success, she says, was the help of her colleagues at Deloitte & Touche LLP in Vancouver.
“My study partners, Kevin Burkett and Rob Kozak, provided support, and their critical analysis of my papers was really helpful,” Leanna says. “Also, Josh Samson, CA, was really supportive, my mentor Pejman Mahlooji, CA, helped me manage the stress, and my mentor Robyn Corney, CA, provided valuable advice to improve my case writing, and reminded me to take time off from studying.”
Leanna also gives credit to loved ones.
“My parents were always supporting and encouraging me, and my brother Alex lent me his lucky t-shirt,” she says. “My friends, too, were really supportive and helped me relax and enjoy my time away from studying.”
Now as she works on completing her articling experience at Deloitte, Leanna is focused on the mining sector. The University of BC graduate earned a bachelor of science in mathematics in 2006, and completed UBC’s Diploma in Accounting program in 2007. In the future, she hopes to work and travel internationally.
In the meantime, however, Leanna offers some advice to next year’s UFE writers: “Try to maintain a positive attitude, and make sure to take time away from studying to enjoy the summer.”
Leanna enjoys playing ice hockey, roller hockey, and softball, and also enjoys travelling.
Siobhan Hughes
 Growing up, Siobhan Hughes imagined she would some day have a career in the sports industry. She never thought she would end up in accounting, like her father, Aidan Hughes, CA. After learning about the flexibility of the CA designation, however, Siobhan eventually decided to enrol as an accounting major in the Sauder School of Business Co-op program at the University of BC. She graduated from UBC with a bachelor of commerce degree (with honours) in May 2009.
Siobhan is currently articling with Ernst & Young LLP in Vancouver, and works in the firm’s assurance group, focusing primarily on public mining companies. She hopes to work abroad in the future, but is content, for the time being, to simply enjoy her success on the UFE.
For helping her succeed, Siobhan credits a few key supporters.
“My boyfriend, Craig Hall, CA, went through the UFE process in 2008 and was a tremendous help to me,” she says. “He gave me advice, helped me stay calm, and provided the support I needed. Also, my E&Y study partners, Peter Portka and Richard Rawnsley, were great at helping me stay focused, while still managing to make me laugh. And my parents provided constant support—this has been a difficult process at times, but they were always there when I needed them.”
Most challenging about the UFE process, she says, was staying motivated.
“There were study days when a hard practice simulation would just deflate my confidence,” she remembers. “Learning to take what you can from those simulations and move on is a tough thing to do.”
Tough, but well worth the effort.
“I didn’t feel overly confident after the last day of the exam, but I felt that it went alright,” she remembers. “Mainly, I was just happy to be done, and ready to celebrate with my friends. It’s a great feeling when you walk out—all the stress is replaced with excitement!”
Her advice to future UFE writers is as to try to enjoy the summer.
“Don’t study too late, and take Fridays off when you need to,” she says, adding: “Also, make sure you have the right study group—people you can get along with for two months but who aren’t afraid to tell you when you’re wrong.”
Siobhan enjoys travelling, spending time with friends and family, watching hockey games, and practising yoga.
Morgan Kenny
 “I never believed past writers when they said it’s impossible to tell how you’ve done on the exam, but it’s true,” says Morgan Kenny. “I had no idea if I’d passed.”
Even more challenging than the exam itself, she says, was maintaining her confidence level in the months leading up to the exam.
“It’s a long summer, and sometimes it can seem like you’re not making much progress,” she explains. “So it can be challenging to maintain perspective and not let the stress overwhelm you.”
Morgan says the support of family, friends, and study partners helped her stay positive.
“My mom, dad, and brothers had complete confidence in me, and always reminded me to have fun and take breaks,” she says. “My roommate was always willing to listen, even in my most irrational moments—she knows more about the UFE than any non-CA student should! My study partners at KPMG LLP in Vancouver—Danny Gollogy and Dan Jover—believed in me even when I didn’t. They made me laugh all summer, and at the same time, continuously challenged me.
“I was also fortunate to have an amazing support team at my firm,” Morgan adds. “I’m grateful to my mentor, Joel Boyd, CA, everyone at Brentwood, and the KPMG marking pool for their invaluable feedback and well-timed words of encouragement.”
Her advice to future writers is to keep the positivity flowing.
“Believe in yourself as best you can,” she says, “and surround yourself with people who will believe in you even when you can’t.”
With the UFE now behind her, Morgan is focusing on completing her articling experience at KPMG. She’s currently working in the information, communication, and entertainment assurance practice, with both public and private sector clients.
Her work enables Morgan to draw on a multi-disciplined background that includes a bachelor of science degree with a major in computer science and a minor in commerce from the University of BC (2006) and completion of UBC’s Diploma in Accounting program (2007).
“I’ve been able to put many of the skills I learned during my computer science degree to use while working at KPMG,” she says, “and I’m extremely happy with the path I’ve taken.”
Morgan was born in Fremont, California, and raised in Nanoose Bay, on Vancouver Island. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, playing on the KPMG dodgeball team, socializing with friends, and playing golf, which she took up over the UFE summer.
Grace Loh
 “I would describe the feeling I had walking out of the UFE as surreal,” says Grace Loh. “After an intensive two-year period of study and work, and an even more demanding summer, I was simply relieved that it was over.”
An articling student with mid-sized firm D&H Group LLP in Vancouver, Grace is currently focused on providing audit, assurance, and business advisory services to private enterprises.
Prior to joining the CASB program, Grace earned a bachelor of commerce degree, majoring in finance (2003) and a bachelor of laws (2006)—both from the University of BC. Her subsequent decision to pursue the CA designation was based on several factors.
“I respected how the program combined practical work experience with comprehensive training and evaluation,” she says. “I also recognized that the CA designation opens a lot of doors, and I was excited to work with and learn from knowledgeable professionals.”
Grace says the professionals at D&H were vital to her success on the UFE.
“The partners and staff provided ongoing encouragement and support throughout the UFE process,” she says. “My UFE coaches at D&H, Jack Chan, CA, and Jennifer Manarin, CA, provided valuable guidance; and my mentors there—Jason Chang, CA, Jessica Chou, CA, and Loan Nguyen, CA—helped me build my confidence and develop a disciplined approach to case writing.
“I’m also indebted to Michelle Young and my study partner Connie Shum, both also at D&H,” Grace adds. “Michelle kept me grounded, and Connie provided infinite patience and honest feedback. I’m privileged to have shared this experience with them.”
Lastly, Grace credits her family and friends for providing “unconditional support and letting me chart my own path.”
Looking back, she says the most challenging aspect of the UFE process was overcoming the idea of the UFE. “Adjusting my mindset to perceive the UFE as simply another exam (albeit a very long and arduous one) took time,” she says.
The most rewarding aspect was the sense of accomplishment she felt after writing the exam. “Regardless of whether I passed or failed,” Grace says, “it marked the end of a rigorous period of my life.”
Her advice to future UFE writers is to take time to debrief their practice cases thoroughly: “Ultimately, I found that there was no better way to learn than from my own omissions and errors.”
Grace enjoys travelling, reading, and learning different languages.
Ilya Margulis
 “As I looked up at my timer to see that there were only 30 minutes left in the exam, I got this excited and jittery feeling, knowing that I was only minutes away from finishing one of the most challenging things I’d ever faced in my life,” remembers Ilya Margulis. “I literally had to force myself to focus on finishing the exam, and then I walked out of there in a sort of daze, not knowing if I had done well, but knowing that I had put in the best effort I could.”
Ilya is a senior accountant with Walsh King LLP in Vancouver, where he currently focuses on audit and tax work. He is a graduate of the University of BC’s Co-op program, having completed a bachelor of commerce degree with a dual specialty of accounting and management information systems in 2007.
According to Ilya, the most challenging aspect of the UFE experience was the level of commitment involved.
“It was hard to wake up every morning and write practice exams every day for weeks on end,” he says. “But when the time came to actually write the exam, I was finally able to kick into that ‘extra gear’ and focus.”
For helping him succeed on the UFE, Ilya gives credit to a number of supporters.
“My family helped by providing encouragement and believing in me; the management of Walsh King helped by providing me with work experience I could lean on during the exam; and my coworkers and friends who had already gone through this process provided valuable feedback and support, and marked exams for me,” he says.
“In particular, I want to thank Kulwant Sidhu, CA, a tax consultant at Walsh King; Kevin Walsh, CA, a tax manager at Walsh King; and Matt Stradiotti, CA, of The Bowra Group, for helping me get through the months of study with minimal stress.”
Stress management, he says, is key to success on the UFE.
“My most important piece of advice for future writers is to do everything possible to keep your stress level down, and to not study to the point of exhaustion,” says Ilya. “It’s incredibly important to keep a steady routine that includes plenty of time for sleep and fun. And be sure to seek out and follow the advice of people who’ve been through the process already—they understand what you’re going through.”
Born in Moscow, Ilya moved to Canada at age seven, and grew up in Richmond, BC. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching movies and hockey, rollerblading, and spending time outdoors.
Sumeet Sangha
 “Growing up, my career choices were all over the place,” says Sumeet Sangha. “I never saw myself as an accountant, but as I grew older, I realized that becoming a CA would provide me with a wide array of opportunities and career flexibility.”
So after earning a bachelor of business administration (with a concentration in accounting) from Simon Fraser University in 2007, Sumeet began articling with BDO Dunwoody LLP, in the firm’s Langley office. Currently, his focus is on assurance.
Looking back over the UFE experience, Sumeet says the biggest challenge was actually learning to study less.
“I knew the UFE was going to be the biggest exam I’d ever written, and my natural instinct was to study every waking hour and cram as much information into my head as possible,” he explains. “So I had to learn how to take my mind off the exam at the end of each study day, and take time to relax and recharge my batteries to keep my focus throughout the summer.”
That’s why Sumeet advises future UFE writers to maintain a level of balance.
“It’s important to not let the UFE process overwhelm you,” he says. “Maintaining a balance during the preparation will enable you to walk into the exam feeling fresh and sharp mentally.”
Sumeet says friends and family helped him achieve this balance by “keeping me level-headed, and providing the support I needed to get through the exam.” He also credits his success on the UFE to the support of several key people at his firm.
“David Reznick, CA, my UFE mentor, and Dan Rudd, CA—both from BDO—shared their UFE experiences with me, and provided various tips and pointers to help me succeed,” he says. “And my study partner at BDO, Justin Leung, provided the feedback and constructive criticism I needed to address my weaknesses.”
Sumeet remembers feeling a mixture of relief and uncertainty after the last day of the UFE. Now, with this hurdle past him, he says he’s excited to see what the future holds.
Sumeet enjoys golfing, playing basketball, hanging out with his friends, and watching sports.
Matt Stevens
 As a kid growing up in North Vancouver, Matt Stevens dreamt of a career playing pro-football with the Green Bay Packers. “I was a wide receiver growing up,” he says, “and Brett Favre was in his prime in those days.”
By the time he got to university, however, finance had won out over pro-sports. Matt went on to earn a bachelor of accounting from the University of BC in 2007, and completed an MPAcc degree at the University of Saskatchewan in the summer of 2009.
Now articling with KPMG LLP in the firm’s Vancouver office, Matt is focusing on real estate and financial institutions. In the future, he hopes to gain some international experience, live in a different culture, and also work with a start-up company.
“As long as I’m in a position where I’m continually learning and being challenged, I think I’ll be happy with my work,” he says.
As for the challenges of the UFE process, Matt says his biggest obstacle was staying focused during the three days of the exam.
“The cases are broad enough that you could write for hours and still have things you want to say, so it was a struggle to put each case behind me and focus on the next,” he explains. “I understand now why people say they want to quit after the first day. I did feel a bit better after the second and third days, but I still had no idea if I’d done well.”
For helping him “survive” the UFE, Matt credits the support of friends, mentors, and family.
“I feel privileged to have studied with Mike Woeller and Graham Hindson, my study buddies at KPMG,” he says. “The three of us challenged each other every day for four weeks. And my mentors at KPMG—Jeff Louie, CA; Roopa Dave, CA (now with the BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital); and Nicole Comey, CA, provided intellectual and emotional support whenever I needed it, and then some. The whole support network at KPMG and the professors of the MPAcc program were also huge factors.
“Lastly,” he adds, “I thank my family—especially my mom, my dad, and my sister—for their ongoing support throughout the articling process and in life.”
Matt’s advice to future UFE writers? “It sounds clichéd,” he says, “but I think confidence is the key. Don’t let a bad day ruin your mindset, because you can recover from it, and it’s likely that you’ve done way better than you think.”
Matt enjoys skiing, playing golf, reading books, and watching movies. He also enjoys “tumbling,” which he describes as “a European sport requiring equilibrium and perseverance that is played in teams of ten.” The moustache Matt’s sporting in his photo was grown for “Mo’vember,” an international charitable event that happens every November to raise funds for men’s health issues. In Canada, money raised during Mo’vember goes directly to Prostate Cancer Canada.
James Stewart
 “It was a very intense and exhausting three days,” says James Stewart of the UFE. “Walking out of the exam, I just felt relieved that it was over.”
James is an articling student at Grant Thornton LLP in Kelowna, where he’s currently focused on audit. In 2004-2005, he completed two co-op terms at Grant Thornton while also completing his university degree at Okanagan University College (which split into Okanagan College and UBC-Okanagan in his final year). James took the business program’s accounting option and earned a bachelor of business administration in 2007.
With regard to the UFE, James says the most challenging thing about the entire experience was not the exam itself, but the fatigue that set in during the last few weeks of study.
“At that point, I was tired of studying and writing practice questions,” he says. “I was concerned that I might be burning out and just wanted it all to be over with.”
With the UFE now safely behind him and study burnout no longer a concern, James gives credit for his success to the support of his study partners at Grant Thornton.
“I definitely want to thank my fellow UFE writers at the firm: Mike Scarlett, Gurpreet Lidhar, Chris Warburton, and Mark Fairweather,” says James. “I wasn’t really nervous walking into each day of the exam, and I think that was largely due to the study routine the five of us had developed, which allowed us to get used to writing with other people in the room.
“I also want to thank my family, my friends, and my girlfriend for supporting me throughout the whole UFE process,” he says.
His advice to future writers is to find a study plan that works for them.
“And be sure to take a few days off if you feel like you’re starting to burnout,” James adds. “Also, I recommend finding a hobby or activity that will take your mind off of studying and the exam. My summer golf membership was probably one of the best investments I made!”
James grew up in Salmon Arm and moved to Kelowna after graduating from high school. He enjoys playing golf, volleyball, and softball.
Dylan Vokey
 “I felt an enormous sense of relief, but I had no idea how I’d done,” says Dylan Vokey, remembering his post-UFE mood. “I’m sure I was just as nervous as the next writer about my results until I received the good news from my firm.”
The firm is KPMG LLP in Burnaby, where Dylan is currently focusing on audits for mid-size private companies. The articling student graduated from Simon Fraser University in June 2009 with a bachelor of business administration and a certificate in liberal arts. Through his co-op terms with KPMG, Dylan had the opportunity to write the UFE right after graduation, before starting his articles full-time.
Looking back, he says his biggest UFE challenge as learning to trust his gut.
“The analytical side of my brain was approaching each new case with the previous one still in mind,” Dylan recounts. “It wasn’t until I began to follow my instincts fully, in the final week of studying, that I was able to adapt to each new scenario thrown at me, and offer analyses and solutions that were truly my own.”
He credits the “enormous” support provided by his firm for much of his success on the UFE.
“KPMG provided rigorous in-house preparation and a strong support system, and my KPMG UFE mentor, Steven Bao, CA, had an uncanny ability to call me at exactly the right time,” Dylan says. “Also, my study buddy Dorothy Woo and her mentor Ian Wells, CA (both at KPMG) marked my responses and really helped me keep on my toes.
“I am also grateful for the support of my parents Richard and Arlene Vokey, former journalists and now novelists, and my wonderful girlfriend Rebecca, a literature student,” he says. “They helped me find my personal approach to the UFE: ‘First, find the plot; second, finish the story.’”
As for how his own story will unfold, Dylan is weighing several possibilities.
“I’ve always had an interest in corporate finance and private equity,” he says. “But I also like the idea of graduate school.”
Dylan was born in Makati in the Philippines, and raised in Port Moody, BC. He enjoys reading, writing, and travelling. He also trains in Hapkido and plays soccer and tennis to stay in shape.
Ni (Nina) Wang
 “Overcoming anxiety and believing in yourself is extremely important,” says Nina Wang. “For me, the most challenging thing about the UFE was staying focused and confident throughout the summer—especially toward the end of the process.”
This includes the actual writing of the exam. “The UFE covers a broad range of knowledge, so staying focused and confident over the three days is quite challenging,” she says. “I was definitely relieved when the exam was finally over—I didn’t know whether I had done well, but I knew I had given it my all.”
A graduate of Simon Fraser University, Nina earned a bachelor of business administration degree with a concentration in accounting and finance in 2008. She is currently articling with Deloitte & Touche LLP in Vancouver, with a primary focus on telecommunications companies.
“I chose the CA profession because it will open multiple opportunities in my life and provide flexibility for international learning,” she says. “In the future, I can see myself making a difference as a CA, and having an impact on people and things around me.”
Looking back over the UFE experience, Nina says she’s grateful for the amount of knowledge she gained throughout the summer leading up to the exam.
“I learned so much through my firm in-house, through module 6, through self-study sessions, and through discussions with my study group,” she says. “Along the way, I also had the opportunity to establish close relationships with my study group members: Ryan Chan, Nancy Kurokawa, and Andrew Lau. They were instrumental to my success.”
These study buddies were part of a larger support team of family, friends, and colleagues.
“My grandparents and my parents have provided tremendous support throughout my life, and were very supportive during the summer leading up to the exam,” Nina says. “My boyfriend and UFE mentor Sam K. Wong, CA, a controller with Pathway Capital Ltd., provided a lot of support and advice as well. My other mentor, Jason Tong, CA, a senior accountant at Deloitte, also provided valuable support and guidance. I thank him, and everyone at the firm—especially those on the UFE Committee—for their help.”
Her advice to future UFE writers is to remain relaxed and confident throughout the study process and during the exam.
“Believe in yourself,” Nina says, “and trust your professional judgment.”
Nina was born and raised in China, and came to Canada by herself in the fall of 2002, after graduating from high school. She enjoys watching movies—especially international films.
Sean Wilson
 “The opportunity to travel and continue my education,” says Sean Wilson, when asked what drew him to the CA profession. The University of BC graduate attended the Sauder School of Business and earned a bachelor of commerce, specializing in accounting, in November 2008. Today, he’s articling with KPMG LLP in the firm’s Vancouver office, and focusing on industrial markets (mining).
“I’m very interested in renewable energy,” he says, “and I’d like to be involved in this sector in some capacity in the future.”
Sean also intends to fulfil a childhood dream of becoming a pilot, and hopes to get his private licence soon. For the moment, however, he’s still reeling from news of his success on the UFE.
“The exam itself seemed way harder than any of the practice exams I had done, just because there was just so much riding on it,” he says. “Walking out on the last day of the exam was surreal. So many people had come to support all of the writers—it was really amazing.”
For Sean, the most challenging thing about the entire UFE process was the final week of studying.
“By then, my study group and I were getting a little burned out, so we really had to refocus and relax before we could keep on studying,” he explains. “At the same time, one of the most rewarding things about this experience was the relationship I built with my study partners Jon Stewart and Linda Schucroft.”
Sean credits Jon and Linda, both of whom are also at KPMG, for helping him succeed on the UFE, and also gives thanks to his mentor at KPMG, Peter Waignein, CA.
“I also want to thank my parents Larry and Trish,” he says, “and my girlfriend Cami.”
Sean’s advice to future UFE writers is twofold: “Understand the exam and how it’s marked before jumping in and studying,” he says. “And definitely don’t over study—take off at 4pm, and don’t study on weekends!”
Born in Singapore, Sean came to Canada in 1990 and grew up in North Vancouver. He enjoys coaching and playing field hockey, hiking the Grouse Grind, and travelling. Sean recently returned from a trip to India, and previously travelled for an entire year through Europe, Southeast Asia, and China. The moustache Sean’s sporting in his photo was grown for “Mo’vember,” an international charitable event that happens every November to raise funds for men’s health issues. In Canada, money raised during Mo’vember goes directly to Prostate Cancer Canada.
Congrats once again to BC’s 12 honour roll students for a job well done!
Photography: Jolene Kendrew was photographed by Deddeda Stemler, of Photography by Deddeda in Victoria. James Stewart was photographed by Michael Heroux, of Free Spirit Studio in Kelowna. All other students were photographed by Kent Kallberg of Kent Kallberg Studios Ltd. in Vancouver.
*These profiles will also appear in the January 2010 issue of Beyond Numbers magazine. |
