Employee Training and Career Development

It is the aim of VMSW to develop a multi-skilled workforce.  A well-trained team, whose members have mastered many skills, enables the firm to work more flexibly and efficiently, balance workloads and provide an opportunity for personal and professional growth.  It is the intention of VMSW to provide or make available to you training courses, programs, and/or seminars that will aid us in achieving this goal.

As part of your training and development you will work closely with the Training and Development Partner/Principal (TDP). Together you will conduct a needs assessment that leads to the design and delivery of a personal training matrix. Your training matrix will be specially created to enhance your knowledge and skills and to enable you to fulfill your job description and be successful at VMSW.

At VMSW you’ll gain the experience and training thought to be available only with the national firms. The best part is, you will enjoy a small city environment where we value your contributions and respect your need for a work-life balance.  

Educational Assistance and Continuing Professional Development Policies

VMSW recognizes the importance of investing in our employees.  To that end VMSW encourages “continuous learning” that mutually benefits our employees and the Firm as a whole.

CA Uniform Final Evaluation Support Program

The VMSW CA Uniform Final Evaluation Support program consists of two components – a case writing program and a financial support package.  The UFE support program is designed to meet the needs of the individual participant.

VMSW UFE Preparation Program

The VMSW UFE Preparation program was developed in 2005 to provide candidates with an introduction to UFE case writing techniques.  The purpose of this program is to provide CA Finalists with an opportunity to develop their UFE case writing techniques in a structured environment prior to attending a case writing course.  This program is designed to compliment the student’s training in a third party case writing technique course and university training in UFE case writing.  Participants are strongly encouraged to participate in a third party case writing technique course.

The course is tailored to meet the needs of the individual candidate, based on the finalists previous UFE case writing experience and the UFE case writing course selected.  Cases will be selected from prior UFE examinations or from third party suppliers.  The course will be administered by VMSW staff members who have successfully completed the UFE within the past five years.

Over a series of four practice writing sessions, generally held on Fridays, the course consists of the following elements:

Participation in the VMSW UFE preparation course is voluntary and will be deemed to be part of the candidates UFE study period as defined in the financial support package.  As such, normal vacation time and accumulated overtime hours, if any, may be applied to the four days of the training course.

CA Financial Support Package

The following financial support package will be available to staff attempting the Core Knowledge Examinations (CKE), the School of Accountancy (SOA) and the Uniform Final Evaluation (UFE).

Package 1:  For those students who are not exempt from the ICAO CKE and SOA

Core Knowledge Examination

• Staff may take one study day off prior to the Core Knowledge Examination as unpaid leave.

• Staff may apply accumulated overtime or vacation days to this day or additional study days.

• Examination fees for one session will be reimbursed upon successful course completion and accreditation.

ICAO School of Accountancy

• Staff will be paid regular salary for one session of the School of Accountancy.

• School of Accountancy fees will be reimbursed upon successful completion.

Uniform Final Evaluation

• Time off prior to the Uniform Final Examination for study is not limited, but must be approved by the Partner/Principal responsible for training

• We will pay for one session at an examination writing technique or similar course.Normal vacation for the year of writing must be applied to this period.

• We will add one more week of paid time off for Professional Development for the year of writing

• Accumulated overtime hours, if any, may be applied to the remaining time off.

• Any portion of this period not covered by the above will be unpaid leave.

• Examination fees for one session will be reimbursed upon successful completion.

• Upon receipt of the Chartered Accountant accreditation, the employee will receive a bonus in the amount of $1,000.

This remuneration package will be deemed to be a course reimbursement fee and subject to repayment in the event you leave our employment within one year or as outlined in the terms of your employment contract.

Package #2:  University of Waterloo MAcc Graduates Exempt from the CKE and SOA

Individuals who successfully complete the MAcc program who are exempt from the Core Knowledge Examination and the School of Accountancy will be offered the following financial support package:

Upon successful completion of the MAcc Program

• $5,000 tuition assistance for the MAcc program.

• Reimbursement for one session at an examination writing technique course or similar course.

Upon successful completion of the Uniform Final Evaluation (UFE)

• Examination fees for one session of the UFE will be reimbursed upon successful completion.

Upon receipt of the Chartered Accountant accreditation, the employee will receive a bonus in the amount of $1,000.

This remuneration package will be deemed to be a course reimbursement fee and subject to repayment in the event you leave our employment within one year or as outlined in the terms of your employment contract.

CGA or CMA Financial Support Package

The following time off and financial support will be available to staff registered in the CGA or CMA accreditation programs:

• Staff may take one paid day off per course for an examination.

• Staff may apply accumulated overtime or vacation days to additional study days.  This needs to be approved by your team leader.

• Course and exam fees for one session will be reimbursed upon successful completion.

• Upon receipt of the Certified General Accountant or Certified Management Accountant accreditation, staff will receive a bonus of $1,000.