Over the course of our lifetime, we are touched by this sector almost daily – we are born in hospitals, educated in schools, we volunteer for good causes, and we receive support from various not-for-profit organizations in times of need. Many Canadians decide to donate regularly and/or to donate substantial amounts of money to support great causes that not-for-profit entities advance.  

Why examine not-for-profit accounting?

Studying best practices for not-for-profit organizations helps this important sector thrive. It allows those who have devoted their careers to serving and helping others to find new and innovative ways to advance their cause.

This is why it is so important for those in the accounting industry to know how to work effectively with charitable organizations, specifically in regards to preparing their publicly available financial statements. As highlighted by the Charities Directorate (part of the Canada Revenue Agency), professionals preparing financial reports for not-for-profit organizations must be highly skilled in managing finances and reporting; the trust of donors, and future of the organization, depends on the accountability and transparency that shines through the reports. In other words, finances can make or break a non-profit organization, just as they can in the private sector. 

An incredible responsibility

The intense responsibility of public sector accounting, or government accounting, cannot be overlooked. Professionals who prepare reports for government entities operate with large amounts of public dollars – hard earned dollars that we all pay with high but often differing expectations. Individuals who dedicate their careers to being public servants work exceptionally hard in order to ensure that public dollars are wisely spent, and that their reports are timely, accurate, and-most of all- clear to the public taxpayers. They are held to higher level standards of ethics, and we expect transparency. I find the study of this transparency fascinating, because it is a tool for building public trust and engagement.

Small but mighty

Beyond public sector accounting, it’s important to explore and analyze other not-for-profit entities and their accounting activities – from a neighborhood’s basketball club, to an association, to a religious organization. These entities, regardless of their financial potential, accomplish an important social function – they make our society a better place. Financial reports for smaller entities are often prepared by volunteers (which is fantastic)! This is why clear reporting standards are important; they ensure that organizations maintain transparency and accountability, so that those involved - from staff, to donors and volunteers, to those in need - have trust to continue their relationship with the organization.

Critical giving

Another important aspect of not-for-profit accounting, is the critical role that donors play. By providing donations, endowments, and bequests, they are huge supporters of the causes they invest in. From new equipment in hospitals to vital scientific breakthroughs, donor-funded initiatives change our world for the better. The significance of donor funding creates an even greater demand for transparency and accountability. Out of respect to donors, the preparers of financial reports must do their very best to demonstrate how funds are spent. Furthermore, these statements are read by potential donors. While these financial reports are not meant to be used for marketing purposes, they become one of the key tools for donation decision making, especially for large giving initiatives. 
Not-for-profit organizations help make Canada more inclusive, vibrant, and supportive. Studying the significant role that financial reporting plays in this sector allows us to grow, improve, and support societal goals.

Darinka Pejic instructs our Not-For-Profit Accounting and Related Topics course. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA), and holds an MBA degree from Laurentian University. Darinka has experience working in both the private and public sectors, and is currently a Director, Finance and Administration at a large government agency. She has led preparation of financial statements, as well as the annual budgetary planning processes, for public sector entities of various sizes. Darinka has over ten years of experience teaching financial and managerial accounting.

“It sounds odd, but learning French and coaching boxing have had a huge effect on my career” says journalist Damian Ali. “Becoming bilingual is opening doors for me, while boxing has taught me discipline, focus, and personal responsibility.”

After earning an undergraduate degree in Criminology, Damian decided to pursue a career in journalism. “I knew speaking French would be a huge asset as a journalist, and I remembered very little from high school” he says. “So I turned to SCS to help me grow my French abilities.”

Damian earned his Conversational French Certificate, and is now taking advanced level French courses. In February 2019, after completing a postgraduate program in journalism, he landed his first role at a rapidly growing digital news and media outlet called QuickBite News. “Having a strong grasp of the French language has helped me stand out from the crowd, but more importantly, it has made me a better journalist” he says. “Now I can potentially work in Quebec one day, and I have a greater capacity to report on Canadian current affairs.”

The classroom setting was an ideal learning environment for Damian. “I loved being able to communicate with other learners, face to face. It was a very comfortable vibe; I never felt rushed and was encouraged to learn at my own pace” he says. “My instructor, Andrew Furegato, encouraged us not to be afraid to make mistakes.” In fact, on a recent trip to Montreal, Damian committed to speaking French the entire time. “Without Andrew’s wisdom, I would have given up and just resorted to using English. But he taught me it’s OK to fall, so long as you get back up. That’s a message I live by in my career and in the boxing ring.”

Working with an experienced instructor also provided Damian with real-world context. “Andrew didn’t just teach a language, he taught us how to communicate in French, using conversational techniques and relevant slang. He used media, such as music videos, movie clips, and YouTube videos to teach us real, modern French” he says. “I appreciated that.”

 Damian has a strong vision for his future in journalism. “First, I want to become fully bilingual. In five years, I aim to continue building my portfolio while reporting the news. In ten, I want to report news on-air, perhaps through an anchor position” he says. “Further down the line, I would like to mentor young journalists as a way of giving back.”

Juan Mavo Navarro’s goal is to improve the learner experience, and teach others how to do the same. Juan, who teaches our Foundations of Instructional Design course, has a background in computer science, coding, and developing programs. A native of Venezuela, he fell in love with developing educational materials and computer-based training early in his career. Determined to share this love with others, he taught for over 12 years at the undergraduate, Masters, and Ph.D. level. “My work goes beyond just designing programs” he says. “I incorporate needs assessments and strategic planning to make online learning a more intuitive and interactive experience.”

Upon coming to Canada in 2012, Juan chose SCS to enhance his skills, earning certificates in eLearning and Project Management. In 2016, he began working at SCS as a Learning Technology Specialist, designing and developing our interactive courses. A year later, Juan began teaching our Learning Design program. “What I love about teaching at SCS is that my learners are practitioners who come from diverse backgrounds. It’s an interconnected virtual learning experience, where everyone is learning not just from me, but from one another” says Juan. “I end up learning from them too!”

Juan says a big part of his teaching focuses on helping learners find effective ways to implement best practices in their work. “I provide guidance on how to overcome organizational barriers” he says. “I share tips on how to sell an idea, deal with pushback, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.” After a course ends, Juan often receives emails from learners seeking further advice, or reporting their success. “SCS learners know that the journey does not end once you get a degree. They aren’t just learning for their job, they are choosing to learn because it makes them better.”

According to Juan, online learning is critical in our busy, digital world because it provides flexibility and allows people to learn on-demand. “In the future, we need to focus on learner-centric design” he says. “We need to find new and exciting content that truly resonates with learners.”

Despite his busy work and teaching schedule, Juan believes in balance and putting your priorities first. “My top priority is my family” he says. “I keep a schedule and set boundaries. No matter how much I have going on in my life, I do not sacrifice the things that mean the most to me. My daughter’s Christmas concert or dinner with my wife; these are real appointments that I refuse to cancel or reschedule. For me, that’s real balance.”

When Ana Fukushima came to Canada in 2016, she immediately began pursuing her Cyber Security Management Certificate at SCS. “When we decided to relocate to Canada, I began researching opportunities to enhance my skills and gain a certification in my field, information security” says Ana. Her first goal was to become a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). “I knew the CISM certification would increase my employability” says Ana. “The certificate at SCS is aligned with the CISM curriculum, so it was the perfect way to upgrade my skills, earn a certificate, and prepare for the CISM exam all at the same time.”

While the certificate definitely helped Ana prepare, she found networking with her peers and instructors to be the most valuable aspect of her experience at SCS. “I am in touch with many of my classmates and instructors to this day. Our relationship didn’t end when the courses ended. We reach out to one another with questions and job opportunities” she says. “Being new to the Canadian job market, this was invaluable.”

Within six months of completing her certificate, Ana earned her CISM certification. In the meantime, she was hired by eHealth Ontario in cyber security operations. Six months after that, she earned her Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification. Today, she is a Senior IT Security Consultant with eHealth Ontario.

Ana really connected with her instructors, and stayed in touch with Carlos Chalico, who is Director of Membership at ISACA, the global professional association that issues the CISM certification. “Carlos encouraged me to volunteer with ISACA, mentoring newcomers and young professionals” Ana reflects. “It felt great to give back while expanding my network.”

Reflecting on the future of the cyber security industry, Ana thinks that increased public awareness around security is an important step forward. “With all the recent security breaches we have seen, people are taking data security more seriously” she says. “This shift in public perception will open doors, allowing us to improve policies and procedures in the future.”

“The technology industry is evolving faster than we could ever imagine” says Saumil Bapat. “Between automation and shifts in the job market, there’s a huge demand for employees with machine learning, AI, and full-stack skills. I want to be in high-demand, so I came to SCS.”

Saumil recently completed our Coding Boot Camp, and is currently enrolled in our Data Analytics Boot Camp . After graduating in 2010 with a degree in Engineering Science from the University of Toronto, Saumil began his career in engineering consulting. In 2011, he made a transition to the tech industry, landing a job at Salesforce. He is currently part of their consulting team.

“I was working on a project a while back with a major client, building a cutting edge advertising delivery platform. On the back end, it was very complex” reflects Saumil. “I realized that a lot of tools and strategies had really evolved since I earned my undergrad degree. So I started exploring continuing education options. I wanted to learn in a hands-on, collaborative environment.”

Saumil chose to pursue part-time studies in our IT Boot Camp program, attending classes two nights a week, and every Saturday morning for 24 weeks. “It’s a big commitment, but my employer is very supportive of my efforts. I’m learning from industry experts, and I’m able to ask questions and engage in meaningful conversations with my peers” he says. Saumil’s classmates come from a variety of backgrounds. “My peers range from chefs who are looking to make a big career change, to others in the tech industry looking to upgrade their abilities. It makes for a really diverse learning environment” says Saumil, who plans to pursue our Certificate in Mobile Business Technologies and Applications next.

As his skills grow, Saumil is confident that he is becoming more versatile in the ever-changing tech landscape. His goal is to gain the ability to envision a project, and create it successfully from the ground up. Saumil acknowledges that it can be challenging to keep your skills up-to-date when you are working full time. “It’s a lot, but it’s worth it. I am learning to tackle problems that most others can’t. It’s given me an edge,” he says. “You have to be fully committed and mentally prepared for these Boot Camps. But if you are passionate, it doesn’t feel like a burden. I look forward to every class. There is no question in my mind that this is the time to upskill and adapt to our rapidly changing world.”

SCS Boot Camps are presented in partnership with Trilogy Education Services. To learn more, visit our designated Boot Camp page.

“My son knows that ‘Mama goes to school.’ I think he’s proud of me, and respects the hustle,” says Nikki Martin, who recently earned her Certificate in Leadership Essentials. As a working mom, it was challenging to carve out time for professional development, but it was well worth the effort. “I was open with my family. I told them that growing my leadership skills was a priority for me, and I admitted I needed support to achieve my goals,” reflects Nikki. “You can’t be afraid to ask for what you need, and as parents, sometimes we forget that.”

Nikki has worked in the retail industry for over 10 years, finding her passion in project management and operations. She came to SCS in 2016, after identifying significant cultural changes taking place in her organization. “I realized now is the time to ramp up my leadership abilities” says Nikki, who holds a Bachelor of Commerce. “I wanted to get ahead of change, and prepare myself for future challenges.”

She particularly enjoyed two courses within the Leadership Essentials Certificate: Conflict Management Skills, and Understanding & Managing Conflict. “I’ve learned you don’t have to react; you can choose when it’s best to engage in conflict, and when not to. There is a psychology to each unique conflict, and through analysis I can get to the core of an issue,” Nikki says. “I’m no longer intimidated, because I have the skills to handle many situations.”

While her new conflict management skills have served her career, Nikki has also found them to be applicable in a variety of personal situations. For instance, she now views conflict with her five-year-old son in a different light. “I ask him the right questions, and I’m an active listener,” she says. “Whether at home or in the boardroom, my ability to manage conflict has been life changing. I’m a better parent and a better professional.”

Nikki valued her in-class experience, networking with peers equally as passionate about leadership. She stays in touch with her classmates, sharing leadership and conflict management tips to support one another. Her conflict management instructor, Robert Pidgeon, brings decades of experience in designing and facilitating conflict and dispute resolution systems. “Robert taught us to be flexible in our methodology, to be deeply curious, creative, and thoughtful in our problem solving,” she says. “He showed us it’s ok to make mistakes, and that mediation doesn’t have to be scary. I’m a braver woman having taken these courses.”

In the future, Nikki plans to use her leadership skills to counter gender biases in the workplace. “As women, we need to stand up, speak up, and help one another. We are building the next generation of female leaders,” she asserts. “I want the same opportunity and earning potential as any other Canadian, regardless of my gender, or any other factors. I’m so glad I made self-development a priority, because now I am more capable of leading my vision of equality forward.”

Marcus Tignanelli isn’t your typical 24-year-old. As a City Councillor for North Bay, he is dedicated to revitalizing the city he loves. But his path to political leadership was not what you would expect.

Marcus began his career working as a hair stylist. After a few years, he grew interested in business strategy, and noticed a gap in his company’s social media presence. “I went to my boss and told him that I wanted to improve our social media, but I needed more education” says Marcus, who earned his Digital Strategy and Communications Management Certificate at SCS in 2018. “The company liked my enthusiasm, and supported my learning at SCS. I took on managing their social media strategy, and I would apply the skills I learned in class the next morning at work.”

Although Marcus was living in Toronto at the time, he was still very connected to his North Bay roots, and wanted to find ways to help his hometown thrive. “There is a large Indigenous population in North Bay, and I wanted to help youth learn new skills and foster self-confidence” he reflects. “So I started a training program, teaching high school students on the Indigenous Reserve hair dressing skills.” Marcus secured government funding, and launched a one-week fundamentals course, going into schools and teaching his trade pro-bono. The program was a huge success, igniting a training partnership with Mushkegowuk First Nation. It will soon run eight weeks out of the year, helping youth learn hands-on skills.

Meanwhile, Marcus wanted to go a step further in supporting North Bay. “I decided to run for City Councillor. It seemed like a natural step forward for me, because I have always been interested in politics. But everyone laughed. They said I was too young” he recalls. “All the other candidates were producing tons of print marketing materials. That wasn’t feasible for me cost-wise, so I leaned on the skills I learned at SCS.”

Marcus leveraged his new abilities in online campaign strategy and social media marketing. “The most important thing this certificate taught me was how to tell and market your story. My story was about fresh leadership and creating a vibrant and open North Bay. Instead of making promises, I focused my campaign on providing valuable information to voters who felt confused or ostracized by the political process” reflect Marcus. “I started a website and a blog- a skill I learned in class- and began educating voters. I blogged on topics like ‘why politics matter’, and ‘how to make your vote count’. I encouraged a younger demographic to care about the politics of their city, and get out and vote.”

Vote they did. Marcus won the election on October 22, 2018, and was sworn in as City Councillor on December 1.  Although he is busy serving his city, Marcus, who also won a Marilynn Booth Award for demonstrating academic success, personal commitment, and exemplary leadership, now aspires to take French courses at SCS to help him succeed in Canadian politics. “The skills I learned in this certificate helped me win the election” he says. “My advice to others would be that if you want to get ahead, but you don’t know the first step, SCS is that step.”

Whether you are writing a business proposal, a successful marketing campaign, a pitch, or any other business communication in the workplace, the ability to tell a story and develop convincing material is key. Writer, corporate consultant, and business communications instructor Elaine Stirling believes in the power of narrative and storytelling within a business context. Her book The Corporate Storyteller: A Writing Manual & Style Guide for the Brave New Business Leader helps professionals hone their creativity and authentic voice.

A passion for nurturing exceptional business writing led Elaine to create the SCS Elaine Stirling Corporate Storyteller Award for Business Writing, valued at $2,500 annually. This award demonstrates the impact that storytelling has in the workplace, recognizing and rewarding examples of business writing that have had demonstrable impact on the applicant’s career, a major workplace project, or the applicant’s organization.

"This award allows us to recognize learners who have developed the courage to communicate with clarity, style, and creativity in the workplace” says Elaine. “Corporate storytelling is an essential 21st century skill that can enhance your career, inspire colleagues, and raise industry standards, both in the private and public sectors. When your work is infused with intention and authenticity, anything is possible.”

Click here to learn more about the Elaine Stirling Corporate Storyteller Award for Business Writing, and explore our extensive portfolio of donor-funded awards.

As an internationally educated mechanical engineer, Samreen Fatima faced many challenges moving to Canada and entering the workforce. Adjusting to a new language and culture was the first hurdle, but there was also the question of obtaining her P.Eng., a license required by the Government of Canada for any engineering work that serves the public.

In Ontario, P.Eng. candidates must fulfill a set of course requirements, pass intensive exams and have 48 months’ proven work experience (12 of them in Canada). Luckily for Fatima, the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) provided financial assistance for the academic component, through SCS’ Licensing International Engineers into the Profession (LIEP) program. “Being new to Canada, you’re not in a financial position to pay full fees, because you can’t work,” says Fatima, who arrived from Pakistan in 2015 with her husband, also an engineer, and two children.

With help from expert instructors and the LIEP program’s flexible, part-time class schedule, Fatima passed all four of her required technical exams: Fluid Machinery, Applied Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer, Engineering Economics and Environmental Control. Her Fluid Machinery instructor, Dr. Hamideh Parizi, guided her through the material covered by the exam and more, offering support and advice along the way. “She taught us everything we had to know, going into the concepts, rather than simply the exam prep,” Fatima says. “Anytime we needed help outside class time, she was available by email and text. It was because of her that I passed.”

Parizi, who holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from U of T, is Vice President of Simulent Inc., a U of T spin-off company specializing in software development and consulting in the field of computational fluid dynamics. Being taught by a female engineer was encouraging for Fatima, who didn’t have many role models in Pakistan, especially as a working mother. Of her graduating class of 220 students at NED University of Engineering and Technology in Karachi, only about a dozen were women. “The supports for women are lacking there,” she says. “I had a job in my hands as soon as I graduated from engineering school, but I had to quit once I got married and had my son.”

“In Canada, the availability of maternity leave and daycare make a huge difference,” Fatima says. Through the LIEP program, Fatima also benefited from networking opportunities, attending job fairs and workshops. “Networking can be a challenge when you’re new to Canada—when you’re in a different culture, there are many small hurdles that you have to overcome,” Fatima says.

As she prepares for her final licensing exam, the Professional Practice Exam (PPE), while interning at an engineering firm, Fatima is confident that she’ll find a job she loves. “I’d like to apply for a job as a research assistant, because I enjoy continuously increasing and enhancing my knowledge,” she says. “I would also love to work in the automotive sector—I want to be on the floor. I’d like to do something that isn’t a typical office job.”