Accounting for the burial park
November 6,2009
Paul Taylor, CGA, and office manager at McCall Bros. hires a Camosun co-op student each year from the accounting program to assist with the busy fiscal year end as well as to carry on with day- to- day accounting procedures when Taylor takes a well deserved vacation. “As the only accountant, having a co-op student step in to take care of the day to day accounting work in your absence avoids returning to a huge backlog,” says Taylor. Although Taylor keeps in touch to provide any support the co-op student may require during his absence, he is able to relax and enjoy his vacation.
Classroom to workplace
Anastasia Brydge, co-op student at McCall Bros., initially hesitated to take the co-op option, but once she learned more about co-op and the opportunities it presents, she jumped on board. She says, “This work term experience has reinforced my desire to pursue a career in accounting. Having a mentor like Paul is great, and I am learning so much by actually doing the accounting work in the field. Dealing with three or four requisitions in the classroom is much different from 300 in the work place!” Brydge is surprised at just how much the accountant in a small business has to do, and she now understands the relevance of all her other business courses, such as law and business ethics and how they come together in the real world.
Why work in a funeral home?
Taylor finds the hiring process relatively easy - choosing the student is the hard part. He finds that the students are well prepared technically, although it is generally a new experience for the students to work in a funeral home. Brydge didn’t hesitate to accept a position in a funeral home. She says, “My focus is on the accounting, and having that experience is priceless!” Brydge is enjoying working for a small business and really feels like part of the team. She hopes to try something a little different for her next co-op work term and is grateful to have the opportunity to experience different types of employment as a co-op student.
Well worth the effort
From personal experience Taylor recognizes the value of co-operative education and is prepared to take the time to train a student each year; he realizes that the benefits gained are well worth the time invested in training. Brydge offers some advice to other students, “First and foremost, take the co-op option. You get way more out of it than you expect.”
Find out more about business programs and co-operative education at Camosun.