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Meet Hanna Lemire
Macc Student Ambassador

Hanna Lemire, Master of Accounting Student Ambassador, briefly shares about herself, why she chose the MAcc, how MAcc has impacted her career, and advice for anyone interested in entering the program.

Tell us about yourself!

In 2018, I started my undergraduate experience in sciences. After quickly realizing that I didn’t see myself in sciences for the rest of my career, I looked into other opportunities and came across the undergraduate accounting program. I quickly developed a love for the structure that accounting gave me and decided to pursue a career in accounting. Outside of my professional endeavours, I love being outdoors and being active. I have attended the world cheerleading championships 3 times and continue to pursue other athletic challenges.

Why did you choose the MAcc program as opposed to the CPA PEP or another accredited university program?

• I chose the MAcc program to help maintain a proper work-life balance and to ensure I would be successful both academically and professionally. I really enjoy that there are separate times to work and study, and that I can put my learnings into practice while working. I believe that through this structure, I am able to enhance my understanding by being fully present in each section of my learning. Additionally, I enjoy that I am able to see every elective module, therefore, helping me understand what the various options are for a career with a CPA.

How has the MAcc helped you in your accounting career thus far, and what skills from the MAcc program are useful at work or in your everyday life?

• Through the MAcc program, I’ve been able to enhance my understanding in various topics and effectively take the information I’ve learned into my place of employment to practice these skills. I believe that the best skill I have taken from the MAcc program is being able to be fully present in each thing I am doing. I have really enjoyed being able to fully commit to school for four months and returning to work with all of the skills I have to gained before returning to complete the same schedule in year two.

How would you describe your overall experience in the MAcc program?

• I have grown tremendously both as a person and as an employee. I feel I have developed great time management skills and have learned to handle myself professionally in high stress situations. These skills have proven to be useful in my career and in my day-to-day life. I feel that learning the balance of managing a busy schedule while remaining positive and motivated has helped me grow.

As we all know MAcc is a very intensive program, how did you maintain your mental health during those 4 months?

• The most effective thing I have done to maintain my mental health throughout the program is maintaining structured breaks. During these breaks, I do something outdoors that allows me to get fresh air. I believe that having this time to unwind has given me a structure to remain grounded while continuing to be motivated throughout the MAcc program.

Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about pursuing the MAcc program?

• I would suggest looking into the program to ensure that you are familiar and comfortable with the time commitment of the MAcc program. Additionally, it is important to discuss your leave of absence with your employers well in advance so they are aware of the time commitment. There is also a financial commitment involved with the program, so it's important to fully understand the structure of the program fees so that you are able to seek funding via scholarships, employer contributions, or any financial aid that may be available. Finally, I would recommend reaching out to alumni asking questions about the MAcc program. We have a great group of alumni who are happy to help and share their experiences and offer advice.