Business alumnus reflects at year's end

The holidays are all about the exchange: gifts, stories and greetings.

Like so many others in workplaces near and far, Agha Ahmed and his colleagues at KPMG in Toronto will go out for dinner, trade tales, good wishes and presents (in secret) next week.

A staff accountant, and 2009 Business (Accounting) alumnus, Ahmed has worked six months at KPMG. It provides tax, audit and advisory services to a multitude of businesses and organizations from more than 30 offices across Canada. Ahmed specializes in the real estate sector.

“I help ensure financial statements of public companies – ones listed on the stock exchange – are free from material misstatements,” he explained.

The close of another calendar year always brings reflection. When Ahmed looks back, he’s clear on how he’s been able to build his career so far: “Guelph-Humber infused me with a sense of taking responsibility for my own learning and instilled in me an entrepreneurial spirit.”

Specifically, he continued, “The practical, hands-on work we did in our computer labs was very helpful.”

These are industry-standard accounting and auditing programs, added Ahmed, he learned through class assignments too. Consequently, he joined the workforce already knowing how to use, for example, Caseware working papers and IDEA data analysis.

“This has put me in a very competitive standing relative to my colleagues,” offered Ahmed.

The state of the world is often subject to end-of-the-year reflection. Countries and companies from around the globe have faltered. For Ahmed, a sense of responsibility prevails in these times.

“It puts great stain on the audit profession to ensure the financial information we are reviewing does in fact represent faithfully the true financial position of a company and the results of its operations,” he stated.

It goes beyond professional duty to an individual level. “This puts more responsibility on me to ensure when I am conducting my analysis I do my due diligence and always remain professionally skeptical.”

He traces this principle back to his experience at the University of Guelph-Humber. “It showed me that if a path to your goal hasn’t been already laid out, everyone has the power to forge one for themselves.”

Learn more about the University of Guelph-Humber's Business program.

Sean Flinn, Web Communications Specialist, 416-798-1331, ext. 6299, sean.flinn@guelphhumber.ca