Laurentian Accounting Association

2010 marked the beginning of a new decade, and with it came the first annual Road to Riches Accounting Challenge, which was held on January 14th and 28th at Laurentian University and the Howard Johnson Plaza. This unique two-day event, designed and coordinated by the Laurentian Accounting Association, Professor Valorie Leonard, FCA and Tiffany Laferriere, CA brings together current H.B.Comm and SPAD students from all years, recent alumni who are pursuing the CA profession, and Chartered Accountants from within the Greater Sudbury community.

The Challenge ultimately provided current students (with guidance from their CA student mentor) the opportunity to showcase their decision-making, team negotiating, and time management skills through the analysis of a realistic case which included accounting and auditing issues that one would commonly encounter as a practicing CA. Then, on the second day of the event, teams came dressed in full business attire, ready to present their analysis to their peers, mentor, CA and CA student guests, and the following four esteemed judges from public accounting, academia, and industry:

Todd Zanatta, CA and Partner at Collins Barrow;
Laurie Bissonette, CA and Partner at KPMG;
Christine Tworo, FCA and Professor at Cambrian College; and:
Rob Chown, CA, CFP and Investment Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities.

Teams Accountants for LIFO, Wonder Bread Consulting, and KBGB Inc. were announced as the top three finalists and presented their analysis to the audience. While the results of the presentations were being tallied to determine which team would ultimately be crowned Masters of the Road to Riches, attendees enjoyed a full buffet dinner, a chance to win various door prizes, and the opportunity to catch up with old friends and to meet new ones.

After dinner, Josh Blasutti, CA and H.B.Comm alumnus announced Wonder Bread Consulting as the winners of the 2010 Road to Riches Accounting Challenge! Taking home the top prize of $500.00 and bragging rights for Mastering the Road to Riches were:

Lora Barazzuol;
Kyle Ellis;
Shaun MacPherson; and:
Jordan Stopciati:

Wonder Bread Consulting was mentored by Lauren Cottrell, H.B.Comm ‘09.

Each of the top three teams received cash prizes and engraved medallions to keep as a reminder of their achievements. A closing speech was then given by Candace Gillard, CA and H.B.Comm alumna on the CA educational process, the love of her “job,” and the exhilaration of finding out she passed the UFE–the final exam in the CA qualifying process.

Photos of the event can be viewed by clicking here.

This year two teams from the School of Commerce and Administration travelled to Hamilton on January 30 to compete in the fifth annual CMA Case Competition and to represent Laurentian University among 35 teams from across Ontario. The Competition is coordinated annually by the Society of Management Accountants of Ontario and is designed to highlight the fact that CMA accounting professionals are often called upon for more than just their financial expertise–it is ultimately their ability to integrate and apply management concepts from different sources, in addition to their knowledge of accounting, that adds significant value to the organizational process.

Both Laurentian teams did exceptionally well at the CMACC and the Laurentian Accounting Association would like to extend congratulations to:

Team Six Sigma Laurentia

Kyle Ellis, Team Captain, 3.5 Year
Samantha Garofolo, 4th year
Liisa Brule, 4th year
Phil Malafarina, 4th year

Team LU Legends

Melanie Viau, Team Captain, 4th Year
Claudie Lavigne, 3rd year
Mathieu Loiselle, 2nd year
Cedric Carriere, 2nd year

In a very close competition, team Six Sigma Laurentia displayed their highly competitive spirit by tying for SECOND PLACE with the University of Guelph, with a final score of 889 points. However, Guelph finished a mere two minutes earlier than Six Sigma Laurentia, therefore securing the runner-up prize of $2,500 and ultimately pushing our team into a final overall rank of third place! The winners of the CMACC, University of Toronto Mississauga, won the competition by one point with a final score of 890! Team LU Legends ranked 22nd overall and also positively contributed to the image of Laurentian University on a provincial level!

Both teams have made Laurentian University VERY proud through their positive ambassadorship and highly competitive efforts. Our excellent rankings at the two provincial accounting competitions this year is a testament to the quality of education we receive here at Laurentian University. So remember to be proud to say you are a Commerce student or faculty member within the School of Commerce and Administration at Laurentian University – we are ultimately a dynamic and intelligent bunch!

Well done teams and keep up the good work!