With people around the world feeling the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, stress levels are at an all-time high for many.  

Staying calm and maintaining focus during a time of crisis is especially difficult. Luckily, practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress, increase focus and cognition and combat burnout. 

Recent studies have found that mindfulness meditation can increase happiness, decrease anxiety, and even change people’s perception of time. In the workplace, mindfulness can also help team members to manage frustrations and communicate more compassionately, a skill that is more vital than ever with so many people dealing with employment instability or the challenges of suddenly working from home.  

Moustafa Abdelrahman, who instructs courses in the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS) Certificate in Foundations of Applied Mindfulness Meditation, says part of the appeal of mindfulness is that anyone can incorporate mindfulness into their life or work.

“I’m passionate about bringing mindfulness to our community, including the corporate world” says Moustafa. “Mindfulness is so accessible. You don’t have to be rich, young, or experienced. It’s at the very core of us. Being aware, attentive, and compassionate is who we are as human beings.”  

Moustafa’s vision for the future of mindfulness is crystal clear. “My dream is that anyone who feels different or marginalized, anywhere in the world, can have access to positive and peaceful ways of being through mindfulness” he says. “I hope to offer safe spaces for people to experience and explore their true identities, and provide healing opportunities that I didn’t have when I was young.”

Moustafa, who in addition to teaching is also a proud graduate of the mindfulness program at SCS, says he is excited to see it flourish. “I would love to see it become a world-wide phenomenon, it has the potential” he says. “People from all walks of life, from all over the world, should flock to this program. Everyone is welcome.”

In addition to teaching at SCS, Moustafa, who holds an MBA and has a successful career at Johnson & Johnson, facilitates mindfulness workshops for a variety of large organizations (past clients include General Electric, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto Public Health, and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre). He also provides one-on-one counselling, and leads the Mindfulness Meditation program at the 519, a City of Toronto Agency supporting the LGBTQ2S community.

 “This certificate has shaped the way I approach and teach mindfulness,” he says. “The courses integrate Eastern meditative techniques, scientific evidence, and practical applications of mindfulness. Together, they create a different way of seeing and being.”

Curious about what mindfulness can do for you? Explore our mindfulness courses here.

Industry insider and SCS instructor Joanna Tivig shares her expert perspective on the art of project management:

I started my career as a project manager, working in a newly formed Project Management Office (PMO) for one of the largest banks in the GTA. The PMO rapidly became a center of excellence, where the most critical and high-risk projects were assigned to the best project managers in the organization. We were the ‘A’ team, and training was a key ingredient. Through professional training, we were learning the right knowledge to apply in a constantly challenging environment. It allowed us to make the adjustments necessary to achieve success. 

Soon, we extended the training to the project teams as well as the leadership teams. We acknowledged the importance of aligning all levels of the organization to the principles of project management. That ensured everyone spoke the same language, targeted the same outcomes, and appreciated the effort that goes into managing projects. 

As I advanced in my career and became a leader of a digital development team, my team was my priority. I wanted to give them the support and the tools necessary to be successful. Project management training was a big part of this strategy, and it inspired a desire for continuous learning and improvement. I only had to give my team the opportunity to take the courses, and they brought the rest: motivation, flexibility, and the transparency of a learning team. Clearly, I am big advocate of project management training!

Project management is an art; it is the art of managing projects successfully for the benefit of the customer. It is about doing things right. It is not coincidental that each project is unique, and therefore it needs to be managed in a unique way. It takes a lot of talent, passion, and skill to manage projects successfully. Everything is done with a purpose: to deliver an outcome that in the end has the right ingredients for the customer. Project Management Alliance conducted a survey in 2017 that shows project management training boosts the success of projects by 26%, while 67% of project managers believe that training improves project performance. This indicates that having the right training for your organization is the key to successful project implementations. 

In today’s changing market, companies are facing a serious challenge: getting qualified people. Finding the right people to deliver the right things for your company is not an easy task. As an employer recruiting new talent, you demand prior experience, knowledge, attitude, availability, and differentiation. For that, you need to find a way to prioritize the ‘must-haves,’ and build the other skills another way. That’s what project management training is for. Good quality training is designed to teach a combination of hard and soft skills, to help people build the knowledge they need and apply it in real-life scenarios.

As a mandatory skill, project management needs to be continuously developed. New concepts are frequently introduced to facilitate the way we work as project managers while helping our project teams deliver better results. Whether it is Waterfall, Lean, or Agile, the way we are managing projects is constantly changing. We are asking for more flexibility, faster decision making, more continuous improvement through incremental experimentation, and better attention to the needs of the customer. All these new requirements are demanding different ways of working, new methods, and innovative processes.

During my last 10 years as an instructor at SCS, I’ve had the pleasure to watch learners transform themselves into better professionals by taking project management courses. Even after the course is complete, they still rave about how SCS helped them become successful in their careers, while applying the concepts they learned in real situations. This made me realize how impactful our job as instructors is, and how quality training can impact the professional lives of people in search of new knowledge.

Passing the CFA program instructor Michael Hlinka reflects on what it takes to succeed in his class, and why the Chartered Financial Analyst designation is so in demand. 

Success in Passing the CFA is a matter of time and commitment

To drive success in the CFA Exam preparation program, the most important thing that any learner can do is put in the requisite time. My estimate is that most students require between fifteen to twenty hours a week each and every week up until the examination day. Now I focus the students’ efforts. On a weekly basis I provide a very detailed study schedule that is telling each student what they should be doing and where they should be at each point along the way. So there’s definitely guidance, but guidance without time just doesn’t do it. You simply have to put in the time. You have got to make the commitment. And if you do, there’s a very high chance for success.

Open channels of communication with instructors help learners master material quickly

I believe that my accessibility contributes a great deal to student success. I make a real commitment, during working hours, to get back to student questions, whether by email or telephone, within hours if not minutes. What this allows a student to do is to get the questions that they need answered immediately so that they can move on and start mastering the difficult material.

Hundreds of short video modules support learning process

The course methodology goes something like this: I don’t want students to read the notes before they come to class. Rather, I want them to listen to an audio pre-lesson, which is about one hour in length. Then, if they are attending class, they’ll attend class. If they’re using the online option, they will review the notes.

What I’ve done in support of the most difficult concepts is prepared literally hundreds of short video modules that students can use to review the difficult content themselves. Then there’s always the opportunity to reach out for extra help if it’s needed.

Challenging content part of what makes the CFA a coveted designation

The CFA is a coveted designation because in a world where educational institutions are selling diplomas and selling degrees, the CFA is a pure merit-based system. The pass rates for each level are generally under 50%, which means that if you get through the CFA, you have demonstrated that you are an elite person, you are an elite candidate and that’s why CFA charter-holders are so much in demand in the marketplace.

Michael Hlinka received his MBA from the University of Toronto in 1986, became a CFA Charterholder in 2004 and is a tenured professor at George Brown. Michael specializes in industry licensing courses such as Canadian Securities, Derivatives Fundamentals and Portfolio Management. In addition to his teaching duties, Michael is a regular commentator on CBC Radio's Metro Morning is a nationally syndicated radio columnist, and writes a regular weekly column for Outreach Magazine, marketed by Toronto's homeless and unemployed.

Now more than ever, the issue of privacy is a major concern for any enterprise, and with online data breaches frequently making headlines, the subject is particularly important for those operating in the digital world today.

“I used to say that Privacy was Cinderella while infosec and risk management were the famous stepsisters. Not anymore!” says U of T School of Continuing Studies (SCS) instructor Amalia Barthel. 

“The amount of personal data breaches everywhere, impacting people's credit scores and their digital identification, plus a number of regulators passing strict requirements for mandatory data breach notifications brought privacy to the forefront.”   

It is essential for online businesses to get ahead of potentially devastating privacy issues. That’s where Barthel and fellow instructor Constantine Karnaliotis come in. The pair teach Developing a Privacy Management Program in the Digital Enterprise, the third course in the SCS certificate in Privacy Management in the Digital Enterprise. Barthel finds that learners working to earn their certificate are eager to take a practical approach to privacy, one that can be applied wherever they are in the world. 

“We keep it real, our students have their feet on the ground all the time, they are solving business problems while weaving in Privacy by Design and concepts related to data subject rights.”

This approach helps prepare learners to become internal ambassadors for privacy management, giving them a 360 degree view of personal data and information processing in a business context. The courses are designed so that learners from any industry and anyone new to the realm of personal data protection can benefit and be successfully “promoted” on to their next course to look at privacy issues from a new vantage point. 

“Anyone can be successful in our courses,” says Barthel. “They learn a lot, there is a lot of reading and self study rewarded with very challenging assignments and in the end .....they get promoted! So they can now make decisions with the knowledge they accumulated previously!”

Amalia is an Independent Privacy and GRC Advisor working with clients to support them in understanding IT, information security and privacy risks. She has started her career in IT prior to Y2K and evolved it into the realm of information security, privacy, audit, risk management, compliance and governance. Her industry expertise spans from pharma, financial, insurance and telecom industry  through to various levels of government.  Amalia has developed and delivered enterprise learning programs for project management, privacy and security for adult learners and is a frequent speaker at various conferences and symposiums. Prior to becoming an Independent Advisor, Amalia worked within IT and Compliance departments managing IT change control in the context of mergers, transformations, strategic risk management and compliance issues, conducting IT controls and privacy audits and providing management with dashboard reporting on compliance. Amalia is active on various boards, such as PMI Southern Ontario Chapter (past Director of the Board) , the IAPP Canadian Advisory Board, Executive Director for the KnowledgeFlow Foundation and she is a collaborator of ISACA and the ISACA Toronto Chapter. Part of Amalia's mandate on these boards is to create and deliver educational programs for the community to support an ongoing understanding and awareness of cyber and privacy risks, in particular for youth and seniors.

Back in 1995, Jack Welch famously turned General Electric around using Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology. For a long time, GE’s transformation was the go-to example of why companies should adopt LSS. Guess what? The skills associated with LSS continue to be in demand in the Canadian workforce because organizations are still eager to find people with the skills to develop better and more cost-effective ways to deliver quality goods and services. 

Have you wondered if a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) certificate might be for you? To help you decide, here are our top three reasons why you should consider getting certified in LSS:

1. Help your organization reduce risk, and eliminate errors and defects 
Use the “Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC)” methodology and tools to improve product and service quality while at the same time, create value for stakeholders. 

2. Improve business processes and sustain quality improvement 
Building your capability in LSS can empower you to bring meaningful change to your organization through topics such as understanding quality and its relationship to business strategy, and statistical concepts associated with quality.

3. Learn skills that are transferable and valuable in many different industries
Understand the change management and leadership skills needed to achieve excellence.

If you are ready to position yourself for professional success, the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies has two new, intensive, 12-week online certificates in LSS: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. 

We invite you to see the future u and become what you believe.

The chemistry of consciousness

“I have devoted my professional life to analytical chemistry, to evidences, facts, and data quality. But I’ve always known there is more than the physical world” says Herman Lam, who recently completed our Certificate in Foundations of Applied Mindfulness Meditation, offered in partnership with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.

After working in pharmaceutical development for over 20 years, Herman is now semi-retired, working as a consultant a few days a week. Having more free time inspired him to finally act upon his lingering interest in mindfulness meditation and Eastern philosophies. 

“I wanted to learn more about the life we live, about consciousness, and the history of Buddhist and Taoist philosophies. As I have aged, I have become more and more aware of the fact that our whole human existence is so short in comparison to that of the universe and nature; we have so much to learn” he says. “My whole career was based on precision and accuracy of measurements. Now it’s time to view the world through a different lens.” 

Applied Mindfulness Meditation courses at SCS provided just the lens Herman was seeking. He enjoyed connecting with his instructors and other learners, who came from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds. “Hearing my instructors’ unique insights, and discussing how my classmates incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives was really eye opening. The environment at SCS was just so friendly” says Herman. This learning experience not only enhanced his inner peace, but improved his consulting work. “Mindfulness has helped me prioritize” he says. “When you are dealing with a complex problem, you can get lost and struggle to focus. With mindfulness, I bring clarity to my scientific work. I can attempt non-judgmental ways of looking at things, which leads to solutions and new discoveries.” 

When Herman reflects on the integration of science and mindfulness, he sees a future full of potential. “One of the workshops I attended focused on neuroscience and mindfulness, providing a solid scientific basis for the practice of mindfulness. In the future, science will continue to illustrate the power of meditation and awareness” says Herman. Next, he plans to take our Applied Specialization in Mindfulness Meditation Certificate to further grow his abilities. “Science and mindfulness, it’s the yin and the yang” he smiles. “They are interconnected, and I can’t wait to learn more.”

The times they are a changin’

Today, organizations are changing from a physical model supported by information systems, to an electronic or digital model supported by physical assets. For example, there are now many mattress companies who market and sell entirely online. Their only physical assets are a manufacturing plant with a warehouse attached. The product is ordered and paid for online, and shipped direct to the customer with a money-back guarantee. 

Another great example is Walmart. Their goal is to become an Omnichannel for retail customers, meaning that a customer can order online, have a product delivered, pick it up outside the store, or make a purchase in the store. Their VP of Supply Chain, Chris Glover, says this goal is putting their supply chain under enormous pressure to be more accurate and precise. “You cannot deliver blueberry jelly when the customer ordered strawberry jelly” he explains. “In previous years, we had a stockroom full of product, so you could ensure the customer could get what they needed. Now, the stockroom is empty and everything is on the truck. Our previous way of doing inventory only had to be accurate financially, now it must be accurate by-product too.”¹

Sink or swim

This shift from a physical model to a digital model is a massive change with far-reaching implications, and Business Process Management (BPM) empowers organizations to thrive in this new environment. Employees will need BPM skills to create, maintain, and sustain their organizations. In fact, a recent PMI Pulse of Profession survey² found that the top ways for organizations to manage digital disruption is to train their employees in how to:

1.    Make data-based decisions
2.    Foster collaborative leadership
3.    Embrace culture change 

This need for employees to have new BPM skills was emphasized by Connie Moore at Forrester Research, who states “there are not nearly enough trained process professionals to meet the growing demand. This means businesses and government agencies must step up to the internal challenge of adequately training a large number of knowledgeable BPM practitioners. This should be part of an enterprise-wide business process transformation program supported by top executives.”³ In a nutshell, businesses and non-profit organizations alike need employees with BPM skills in order to survive the digital revolution. 

The power of BPM

In a very real sense, business processes ARE the organization, which is why investing in the BPM skills of your employees is so critical. Business processes encompass systems, information, and assets that orchestrate the work of suppliers and partners while serving customers. Using important metrics, the processes must be managed by people who are fearless in leading change wherever and whenever necessary to stay competitive. BPM is really about managing the organization, not just improving processes. 

Leading change

BPM has within its scope not only information and physical flows, but also the relationship between the people involved all along its length, from the supplier, to the customer using the product or service. Here lies a key difference between BPM and just about any other approach to management: BPM factors in the human element in a way that Intelligent Automation, or Robot Process Automation, simply cannot. 

This massive shift toward digital transformation is as much about culture as it is about technology, and change needs to come from the top down. Without changing how we manage, we cannot manage the new processes that we will create in a digital model. It’s a waste of money to train people to do things in new ways if their manager is still stuck using old methodologies. In contrast, when the whole organization embraces BPM, and learns its lessons together, there are few, if any, better investments. An organization that learns together, succeeds together.

Interested in learning what the School of Continuing Studies can do to help your organization succeed? Learn more about our Corporate and Organizational Training programming.

Tom Barker teaches BPM in our Corporate Training program. He is a consultant, facilitator, and passionate educator, leading his own consulting organization, Tom Barker Associates. Tom assists clients such as Canadian Tire, AstraZeneca, and Mattamy Homes to improve project and process performance through leadership and change management. Committed to helping adult learners succeed, Tom’s other teaching at SCS focuses on business process management, business analysis, and project management.  

Sources:
1 https://www.processexcellencenetwork.com/events-opexweeksummer/downloads/an-interview-with-chris-glover-from-walmart
2 https://www.pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/pulse
3 https://www.abpmp.org

The University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies is proud to partner with the University of Waterloo WatSPEED unit to offer an online Foundations of Data Science course. Taught by industry expert Larry Simon, this course is perfect for that that want to work in the growing field of data science. If you have some prior knowledge and experience of basic programming, this course is for you. 

Curious to hear more? Watch as Larry shares insights regarding the learners he sees in his courses.

Jonathan Salem-Wiseman, (B.A., M.A., Ph.D.), has a talent for communicating complex ideas with clarity and passion. As a philosopher with extensive teaching experience, he lends his talent to SCS, instructing our course The History of Western Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval Thought. We sat down with Jonathan to discuss why philosophy is relevant-and exciting- in 2019.

SCS: Why do you think Biblical, Ancient Greek, and Roman responses to basic philosophical questions still stir curiosity in so many people?

JSW: I think it’s because they were the true, intellectual pioneers. The ancient writers were the first people who wrote long texts that raised, and attempted to answer, deeply human questions. Questions like ‘what is happiness?’ ‘what is justice? or ‘what happens when we die?’ These questions can’t be easily answered by straightforward appeals to experience; they require thought and reflection. I try to show that the ancient philosophers aren’t just relics or museum-piece curiosities, but individuals who had tremendous insights into their world and ours. So I think it would be arrogant to assume we have nothing to learn from their wisdom.  

People have always been curious about being human, about the cosmos, but the ancient philosophers were the first people who had the capacity to lay out big questions in writing, and that has shaped our understanding of things ever since. 

SCS: In your course, you explore topics like ‘are human beings inherently good or evil? Self-interested or altruistic? Isolated individuals or social creatures? Moral agents or just calculating animals?’ Why do you think there is still so much curiosity around these topics?

JSW: I think curiosity around such topics belongs to the human condition. On the one hand, we are biological creatures, yet we are also creatures who are deeply shaped by time, place, and culture. What we do, how we live, and how we organize and treat one another is not governed by a universal instinct. We are malleable animals—but not entirely! We are creatures who have lived very different lives in different times and places in human history. Human nature is hard to pin down, which means big questions cannot be easily answered. Hence our ongoing curiosity and disagreement.

What always complicates the matter, is that compelling answers can be given for contradictory arguments! To me, this is what makes philosophy thrilling. It’s also what can make it disconcerting; we need to be ok with open-ended questions and a lack of certainty.

I think being comfortable with discomfort is something we tend to accept and embrace more easily today, whereas most ancient communities were closed, deeply religious, and xenophobic. In 2019, we are more open, tolerant, and multicultural, so different ideas aren’t considered a threat in the way they were centuries ago. We realize there are going to be different answers offered by reasonable people for these types of big questions. Today, we are able to have open, free-wheeling philosophical discussions, and this, to me, is what makes philosophy fresh, exciting, and relevant.

SCS: What can the study of philosophy tell us about ourselves and contemporary society?

JSW: I think what’s so relevant about philosophy today, is how it works in tandem with other disciplines, such as evolutionary psychology or cognitive science. Philosophers today contribute to contemporary society by asking tricky questions, clarifying difficult concepts, and drawing out moral and political implications from empirical investigations. We no longer work in a silo; philosophers make meaningful contributions within a much larger tapestry of research. 

SCS: Tell us about the leaners in your classes– what is their motivation for taking our courses? 

JSW: What I love about continuing education, is the opportunity I get to teach all kinds of learners. My classes are very diverse, and everyone is there because they are deeply interested in the subject matter. I’ve taught retired teachers, mid-career engineers, publishing executives, and undergraduate students. They all have an interest in philosophy, yet many had put that interest on the back burner due to the busyness of life. Now, they are making the time to pursue their interest, which I think is fantastic.

My learners also enjoy the laid-back nature of my courses. They can learn, grow, and explore without the worry of marks, requirements, or meeting strict deadlines. I think they appreciate the freedom of the class; to learn without pressure. Some are more outspoken, and some are quieter, but they all enjoy the open atmosphere and comradery of a small and engaging classroom.

SCS: Do you think people have misconceptions about philosophy, and if so, what would you tell them to make them more curious?

JSW: I think a common misconception is that philosophy is just word play, or just opinion, and some people may have an attitude of ‘what’s the point, there are no answers anyway’. But what I try to show, is that those claims are themselves philosophical in nature; you can’t dismiss philosophy without, paradoxically, getting philosophical! There’s no real way of getting around philosophy; we just need to do it thoughtfully.

I also want to debunk any misconception that you need to come to my class with prior knowledge or expertise. I encourage my learners to begin from where they are. All you need is a willingness to explore, and an eagerness to embrace a variety of perspectives. Ancient writers are contemporaries if we read them carefully, and it’s my job to bring everyone into the conversation.
 
Jonathan Salem-Wiseman, (B.A, M.A, Ph.D.) is a philosopher with extensive teaching experience at Humber College, the University of Guelph-Humber, and York University, where he completed his doctorate. His areas of expertise include 19th and 20th century Continental philosophy, social, and political thought, ethics, and aesthetics.  Jonathan is an interdisciplinarian by nature and training, with an oft-noted talent for communicating complex ideas with clarity and passion.

In a fictional town in Northern England, the lives of its inhabitants connect and collide, weaving a narrative that readers can’t put down. Loosely based on time Leslie spent living in England, this collection of stories has earned her much recognition; first, our Penguin Random House Canada Student Award for Fiction, and now the Marina Nemat Award for Creative Writing. We sat down with Leslie to discuss her love of fiction, winning two awards, and her recipe for writing success.

SCS: The Richley Chronicles are based in a small town in Northern England. Some of the characters are expats, and a couple are anthropologists….just like you! Are these stories inspired by your personal experiences?

LC: Yes and no, and that’s the beauty of writing fiction; I have the freedom to take creative liberties, while being inspired by people and places in my real life. For instance, I lived in England for 17 years, including Northern England, and Richley is a similar setting with many similar features. But I didn’t want to be too constrained by facts, so made it a loose adaptation of the town I called home. 

As for characters in the series, their lives are intertwined and events reverberate. Some of them are inspired by my personal experiences as an American who has lived in England and then moved to Canada, and as an anthropologist. But others are purely the product of my mind. 

SCS: When it comes to writing, how do you get your creative juices flowing? 

LC: As Mary Heaton Vorse said, “apply seat of the pants to seat of the chair.” Writers have ideas all the time, but the key element to success is sitting down and producing them. An idea is a great start, but you have to sit and pound it out, then rewrite it again and again. Ideas plus time, that’s what gets you through. 

SCS: How does it feel to win two Creative Writing awards? 

LC: Kind of miraculous! I had just finished taking a course with Marina Nemat, and loved learning from her! She didn’t know I had applied for her award, so to win the prize she has endowed and will issue, is really special. Marina even sent me a note of congratulations, which was great. I’m also grateful to my mentor, Dennis Bock, who provided many revisions so my collection was ready for these competitions. His commitment to my work, and his expertise, were invaluable.

SCS: What’s your advice for people who want to start writing but don’t know how to start?

LC: Read! Do lots of reading, then write. Write anything…journal, letters, blogs; just start. For instance, I write a blog called Travails of a Transatlantic Transplant. And take writing classes! At SCS, they are offered in person, online, and at different campuses, so you can make it work. Also, talk to other readers and writers. Join a group, or start a group. That’s the magic formula: read, write, learn, and engage. 

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.”