Eight certified general accountant students from Kelowna graduated from the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia’s (CPABC) CPA in the convocation ceremony held Nov. 26 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Malgorzata Brzezik, Andrea Mandau, Erin Nelson, Rabdeesh Patara, Stephanie Priebe, Angela Schumacher, Mary Ann Senadjan and Carina Schellenberg were recognized for having either become designated members of CPABC this year or will be eligible for membership.

In all, 1,690 students were invited to attend the convocation.

“We welcome the newest Chartered Professional Accountants to the profession. These students make up the final cohort of the CGA program and have earned their designations through rigorous training and assessment of their business and accounting competencies,” said Dave Hallinan, FCPA, FCMA, chair of CPABC board of directors.

“They represent the future of the accounting profession in British Columbia, and I congratulate each and every one of our new graduates. We welcome them to the ranks of B.C.’s chartered professional accountants.”

To qualify as a CPA, CGA, students must have a university degree or equivalent, 24 months of practical work experience at a professional level, and complete courses through the CGA program. Students must also pass a comprehensive national final exam to earn their designation.

The CPA of BC represents over 34,000 members and 5,200 CPA students and candidates.