RSM Richter Chamberland Summer Interns

Laurent Brunet-Schmidt: A three-week external internship

I had the opportunity to spend three weeks of my internship in a not-for-profit organization. The mandate was to conduct a comparative financial analysis of organizations in the charitable sector to help the CEO and the Board adopt a medium-term strategic direction.

First, I set up the database to be analyzed. I then calculated descriptive statistics and ratios of all kinds in order to paint a broader picture of the distribution. I also made a cross-sectional analysis of data using the method of least squares in order to detect possible significant correlations within the sample. After identifying the best performances, I conducted a qualitative analysis by consulting annual reports and websites to identify the factors that explain these performances.

I enjoyed my experience because the firm trusted me enough to send me to the client to carry out this study. This would not have been possible anywhere other than RSM Richter Chamberland – and that’s why I chose this firm! I was able to present my work directly to the CEO, with whom I discussed the major challenges facing the foundation. I now have an increased knowledge of the charitable sector, which plays a key role in the Canadian economy. We can say that carrying out this analysis gave me a taste of the work that is perhaps waiting for me in the firm's Consulting division!

Laurent Brunet-Schmidt: First audit mandate

I finally started the first audit mandate of my future career as a CA! Obviously, the stress level was high on the first day. Fortunately, I was assigned to a small mandate and had two of my colleagues with me, so I didn’t feel lost and I could ask all my questions. Also, due to the small size of the mandate, I could conduct a multitude of tests and learn how to run the tests on purchases and income, as well as prepare documentation on the accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll cycles. To do this, I had to work with the organization’s staff and everyone was very cooperative.

My internal control course has been very useful in understanding the methodology behind these procedures. All these abstract concepts have suddenly materialized. I will be better prepared than ever for my audit course! I feel very privileged to have been assigned to a small mandate because it gave me the opportunity to more easily observe the conduct of an audit as a whole.

It seems that the first step is always the most difficult. It is done and I now feel much more confident for the future. Thank you RSM Richter Chamberland!

Azeen Haji: THIS is where I want to work

 If you would have asked me a year ago how sure I was about pursuing my education towards becoming a CA, I would have told you 1000% (this is not a typo, I was that sure!). However, my two last semesters at school have been extremely tough and the thought of giving up had crossed my mind more than a few times. I told myself that once I would start the internship at RSM Richter Chamberland, I would experience the work of a CA first hand and it would help me decide.

My experience truly surpassed anything I had anticipated. I now know more than ever that this is what I want to do and THIS is where I want to work! I am passionate about accounting again (don’t laugh)! It wasn’t the work alone that convinced me, but a combination with the firm’s corporate culture. When the employees are always in a good mood, you know it’s because the firm is taking good care of them.

I would like to thank everyone who has trained me from the bottom of my heart. You have made this experience so amazing! Thank you for being so warm and patient with me.  I never thought I would be so sad to leave at the end of this internship. Not only will I miss the other interns terribly, but also all of my superiors as well as the tax team whose office we’ve invaded for the past seven weeks (sorry for being noisy at times!).

Anna Bakierska: 3 weeks in the Wealth Management department

Two words to describe my experience so far: exceptional and rewarding!

I spent three amazing weeks in the Wealth Management department. During the first two weeks, I completed various tasks ranging from researching multiple tax information to preparing databases. And on the third week, I touched the human side of wealth management. As the personnel of the department work extensively with families, it must be able to give financial advice as well as personal advice. So I was assigned, with another trainee, to a research project on "family council", which I had the opportunity to present to a partner, a CFA who supervised me, and a senior manager who acts as financial advisor to high net worth individuals. After the presentation, I was very proud of what I had accomplished!

During the following two weeks, I was assigned to an external internship in a manufacturing company, in which I was helping a CGA, who was the VP Finance of the company. As my internship ranged over a two week period, I saw much of the business operations and accounting connected to it. I learned a lot and was able to cover different areas of accounting. It allowed me to see the other side of the coin, e.g. preparing the documents audited by auditors.

Every person I met at RSM Richter Chamberland so far has been very warm, patient and willing to help me. They were all very grateful for the work I did for them. I feel like every day I learn something more, and the environment in which I work is very motivating and allows me to challenge myself.

Anastasia Lambrinos: Getting to know my team

As I made my way to work on the first day, I couldn’t help but feel nervous and wonder what would be expected of me. I had never had a job in the accounting field and had no idea what it would be like. To say the least, I didn’t even know what accounting software looked like! This feeling was instantly set aside when I got to the office and realized that most, if not all, of the other interns were in the same boat as me. It was very comforting walking into the training room and recognizing some faces from the dinner at Bice and the 5 à 7 at Sharx.

The trip that we took to the Eastern Townships during the second week of the internship was so much fun! It was full of team building activities that required us to work together and constantly communicate with each other. Going out on the lake at night with a bonfire attached to the boat was AMAZING even though I did manage to fall in somehow! It was so peaceful and relaxing and really gave us the opportunity to talk and get to know each other better. We all instantly became very close and since then continue to make plans outside of work. I never knew I could make 23 new friends so quickly!

 

Nedgy Augustin: A new technological challenge leads to a rewarding experience!

I just finished a mandate for a client where we prepared interim financial statements. So far, so good because during a previous mandate I had worked with the same colleague, and I knew I could ask all my questions. This time, however, we were using a new software package that RSM Richter Chamberland is currently implementing. Just I was starting to get familiar with the old program, I had to tame the new one. Of course, I had some training before going to the client.

Before leaving the office, the person responsible, who had emergencies to attend to that week, asked me to copy the client’s file onto my laptop, converting it into the new format. I was flattered that my supervisor trusted me, but at the same time I was worried because it was a big responsibility. My colleagues would depend on my copy to do their jobs. I contacted Kim, a supervisor who had already worked with the new program. She took the time to go over each step over the phone; how to convert, import, and access the client's file. She was very patient, even though she was busy at a client site.

It was the first time that my colleagues and I were using the new program at a client. Everything went smoothly nonetheless. I can even say that we were much more productive working in the new format. It was a very rewarding experience that I wanted to share!

Annie Lauzon : When do we start again!

An internship at RSM Richter Chamberlandmeans working for one of the most prestigious accounting firms in Canada. This internship inspires us to give the best of ourselves and face new challenges every day, whether in the context of learning the exciting auditor profession or participating in a project within the firm. This experience also allowed me to meet with professionals who inspired me on a daily basis.

Being an intern at RSM Richter Chamberland also means being part of a team of colleagues who quickly become your best friends. Thanks to team activities such as a stay in the Eastern Townships and a dragon boat race, you will learn about the students you work with and feel like you belong. Whatever your level of stress during your first day of training, it is certain that at the end of the first week, the only thing on your mind will be "when do we start again!"

If you choose to do an internship at RSM Richter Chamberland, you will reap a wealth of knowledge in the field that you chose, you will live rewarding experiences and you will develop a network of extraordinary colleagues.

Jessica Daigneault: What a great experience!

 

After two weeks of training on the 19^th floor, we were all a bit nervous to go out into the offices and start real work! When I noticed I was scheduled to work for Team 5 (Assurance), I didn’t know what to expect. Now, several weeks into the internship I am still working with this team and loving it! I feel as though I am the luckiest summer student. I have numerous different projects lined up for me and have been very busy since day one.

My days go by extremely fast and every assignment is new and exciting! Everyone on the team is extremely helpful and even with the simplest tasks I am always given an explanation behind everything I am doing. This has allowed me to gain a better understanding of the team, its clients as well as a better overall perspective of the firm.

 Once I go on my first audit I will have gained a lot of hands-on experience working with numerous client files in several different software applications. My work with this team has been an incredible learning experience thus far! I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Véronique Alary: Discovering Transfer Pricing!

When I received my assignment, I saw in Prostaff: “TAXTAX - "Transfer Pricing."” I then told myself that TAXTAX would surely mean that I would work in the Tax department, but what did "Transfer Pricing" mean? I made a little research to try to find a definition, but I was still  not sure what it was. So I showed up in Irina Oks’s, Ihor Soroka’s and Linda Argalgi’s office with several questions in mind and all the nervousness that comes with my new employee status!

Ihor graciously took one hour of his time to explain what transfer pricing is, and this, in a clear and simple way (Thanks, Ihor, that was no small feat!). In recent weeks, I have had the opportunity to meet many others who work in the Tax department and who are taking part in the project I was assigned to. Each of these meetings has been very rewarding, and they allowed me to broaden my horizons. The people I met helped me learn a lot about myself, the firm, the profession, other specialties and the business world in general. I can’t wait to see what the next few weeks have in store for me! ;)

Marianne Rudel-Tessier : Rewarding work and fun!!

As the weeks go by, the more I grow to love my experience as a summer intern at RSM Richter Chamberland. From the very start of the internship, I quickly got to know all the students with whom I would share this experience because of the many group activities organized for us. In addition, the training sessions were dynamic and everyone extremely friendly. I had the opportunity to meet several other firm members with whom I was going to work. Everyone seemed really willing to help.

And now, already two months of work have gone by! Time went by so fast because in addition to learning, I am having fun. I never feel isolated because I'm surrounded by people who are sharing the same experience and others who lived it in previous years. For my first mandate, I was given complex work to do and I learnt so much. My client was extremely friendly, which created a great working environment, and I was surrounded by seniors who taught me everything they could. Furthermore, since they had experienced internships themselves, they knew exactly how I felt during my first day on a client site. I felt free to ask all the questions I had. It didn’t take long for me to feel comfortable with my tasks, and that I had known my team forever.

I feel right at home at RSM Richter Chamberland and every morning I look forward to joining my colleagues and friends to learn more!