Candidates must be currently enrolled in a co-op program at the University of Ottawa or Carleton University to be eligible to apply for this position.
About Us
Vaive and Associates Professional Corporation (âVaAPCâ) is a well-respected and dynamic CPA firm located in downtown Ottawa with a focus primarily on owner-managed businesses and high-net-worth individuals. We have an excellent clientele with sophisticated tax and accounting needs and are committed to delivering the very best service and solutions for our clients. Our practice has invested heavily in technology and training and will continue to do so to make sure that we deliver superior service.
Why Us?
We know that choosing where to spend your co-op term can be overwhelming. With approximately 30 employees, VaAPC is small enough to provide you with the personalized support you need to mitigate this stress, yet still big enough to offer valuable opportunities and experience to propel your professional career.
Your first work term will be focused on the preparation of complex personal tax returns, which includes returns for sole proprietor businesses, rental properties, and other complexities over your work term. It will also include the preparation of T4 and T5 information slips for our clients, as well as some trust return preparation.
During the first few weeks, you will undergo multiple training sessions with different members of the management team. These sessions will provide you with all the resources and guidance you will need to understand our processes and your responsibilities during the term. You will practice by preparing real returns from previous years and receive detailed written and verbal feedback from our senior accountants. You will be working with everyone in the firm, including the administrative staff and partners. As such, your training will also include sessions with these team members to understand their responsibilities and how they will support you in the preparation process and throughout your co-op term.
Once these sessions have concluded and you start working, you will undoubtedly encounter new things that you have not seen. Our co-op students all sit together in a cluster of desks to support teamwork - our co-op students are encouraged to discuss problems with each other to find solutions. Additionally, you will be assigned a mentor who will sit nearby, and who will be available to answer your questions.
VaAPC also values a strong work-life balance. During tax season, we handle a high volume of work that is at times stressful. That said, our belief is that your time is valuable and we will never take advantage of it. Co-op students have the opportunity to work overtime, with requirements varying depending on if it is a 4-month or 8-month term. Every additional hour worked is either paid out or given back as time off. You will always be compensated for your time.
We also value the importance of stepping away. Every Wednesday during tax season we provide a catered lunch and although not necessary, we encourage our staff to take a collective break and eat together in the kitchen. The opportunity is even there to bond over a friendly game of Mario Kart on the office-owned Switch.
You will be exposed to many aspects of the practice while creating both professional and personal relationships. Our emphasis on teamwork, mentorship, and social culture is why many of our permanent full-time staff originally started as co-op students.
Our Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidate is someone who is pursuing their CPA designation, who is not afraid of challenges, and has a commitment to learning.
You will have excellent communication skills, be hard-working, highly organized and should be comfortable using the latest technology and software.
Successful applicants will receive a signing bonus of $700 to help pay for their co-op fees for the semester.
