Erin Campbell, CPA
The Value of the Designation in an Unconventional Career Path
February 15, 2024
Erin completed her Bachelor of Business Administration in 2013 from the Hill School of Business at the University of Regina. She began the traditional articling route at a local public accounting firm as an accountant, working on audits, review engagements, and notice to reader compilations.
Being part of the first cohort/offering of the CPA PEP program allowed Erin to explore opportunities outside of the traditional public accounting firm route. So, she changed course and began employment with a local technology company, where she completed the remainder of her CPA modules and transitioned to the experience verification route to pursue her designation.
“The experience I could bring from my external audit and financial statement review experience helped me better understand the role the Finance department plays in an organization. The opportunity to gain industry experience while applying my CPA education to the finance department at a technology company gave me exposure to the entire function from the inside out. Additionally, it helped me to understand the importance of the finance department’s alignment to a corporation’s strategy,” she explains.
After completing her CPA designation, Erin wanted to combine her passion for strategic decision making, finance, and technology and began as a Business Technology Analyst with Deloitte LLP in 2016. While this is not a traditional role that someone with an accounting background or CPA designation would typically seek, she recognized there was opportunity for a business professional to understand and apply changing technologies to meet an organization’s needs for transformation. Regardless of this new technology territory, Erin found she was able to quickly navigate and understand leading practice business processes and the many dependencies with respect to supply chain management and procurement functions, finance operations, and human resources.
Erin found that other opportunities came her way because of her CPA designation. In 2018, she was awarded a secondment with Deloitte Global Consulting out of many applicants. Her CPA designation stood out amongst other candidates because of its international recognition, and the opportunity provided her with valuable international exposure and experience that she could bring back to Saskatchewan.
In 2022, Erin was appointed Chief of Staff for Deloitte Consulting Enterprise Technology and Performance portfolio, where her CPA designation and project experience in business transformation and technology were an asset to the leadership team. Erin is currently a Senior Manager at Deloitte LLP in the Emerging ERP Solutions practice where she enjoys the variety and strategic nature of her work – focusing on client needs, solving unique challenges, and collaborating with subject matter experts in many industries and technologies across finance and operations.
“Changing career paths early on did have me question whether my CPA designation would still serve me in a completely different profession. I’ve found that even though I didn’t require a CPA designation to work in business technology consulting, it has given me a boost in fundamental understanding of business operations, processes and controls, risks, and evaluating stakeholder needs. It has given me credibility with clients and team members. My CPA designation has opened additional doors for me in the professional world.”
The most important skills that Erin indicates she attained through the CPA program are the ability to analyze problems and opportunities, case and reporting writing skills, and resilience in mindset. She acknowledges that the time commitment to complete weekly assignments and study for module exams can seem daunting while working full time and having other life commitments and obligations. However, the time passes quickly and the reward of earning your CPA designation continues to benefit you throughout your career.
Erin’s passion for self-learning and professional development continues today, and she believes that the best investment you can make is in yourself. Since earning her designation, she has also pursued her Project Management Professional (PMP) and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation designations to better serve her clients and teams.
As a CPA Saskatchewan Regulatory Committee Volunteer, Erin enjoys having the ability give back to the profession and develop her skills related to governing professional bodies and supplementing her professional governance skills. Additionally, she notes that working with other members across Saskatchewan has been a great way to foster new and former connections with likeminded professionals.
What advice would Erin give to future CPAs or those who are considering the program?
“Whether you plan to own and operate your own business, invent a new product or technology, or want to set up a not-for-profit organization, the CPA designation can be a powerful driver to set you and your future career up for success. The CPA designation can benefit any professional regardless of position or industry by providing fundamental understanding and experience, it gives you the background and understanding to have educated conversations with business leaders, potential investors, and other professionals.”