Launched in Feb. 2024, the TRUSU Accounting Club at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has become a resource for students to bridge the gap between their academic studies and the professional world. From speaker events to firm visits, the club’s initiatives equip students with the tools to succeed in the accounting world and beyond.
“The purpose of the club is to provide students with opportunities, to develop essential skills and build their professional networks while also exploring opportunities mainly in the accounting field. We try to bridge the gap between the academic world and the professional one, offering hands-on experiences and career opportunities,” said Shaveena Raj, the club’s co-president.
Although the club is focused on accounting, its events are designed for students from all disciplines. “Our events benefit all students from different backgrounds,” Raj said. “We aim to raise awareness about the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) [certification].”
Since its establishment, the club has forged valuable partnerships with top accounting firms, including MNP, Hosenbocus & Co, BMO, Doane Grant Thornton and BDO. These firms have contributed to the club’s events, offering students valuable insights and networking opportunities. “We’ve had speakers from these firms who were happy to collaborate with us and share their knowledge with students,” Raj said.
Co-president Roshnee Jayakumar spoke about the club’s origin.
“In January 2024, [Shaveena and me] attended a CPA info session on campus, and the speaker mentioned joining an accounting club is a great way to get involved in the accounting community,” Jayakumar said. “We realized there was no accounting club at TRU, so we took the initiative to start one.”
The club’s offerings include speaker events, firm visits, networking workshops and peer mentoring sessions. These initiatives help students gain important technical knowledge and soft skills–such as resume-building and interview techniques. Jayakumar highlighted the success of one of the club’s most significant events, Ace Your Career, which took place in Sept. 2024. “We had three speakers from accounting firms who were TRU alumni, which made the event even more special. It was a full house, and the feedback we received was incredibly positive,” Jayakumar said.
The accounting club’s leadership structure also provides students with an opportunity to build professional experience. The club is managed by a student executive team, with roles such as operations director, development director, and media director.
“Our leadership team plays a key role in the club’s success. The skills they gain are something they can put on their resumes, and it’s been great to see students get job offers because of the experience they’ve had with us,” Jayakumar said
Sagar Rochwani, who joined the club during its first semester, shared his enthusiasm about its impact. “I was excited to see the club at the welcome event, and I signed up immediately,” Rochwani said. “Since then, I’ve worked as the administration director. The networking opportunities and connections I’ve made through the club have been amazing.”
With over 150 members and more than 500 attendees at 15 events, the accounting club has grown into a strong presence on campus. The club continues to look for new ways to engage students, with more workshops, firm info sessions, and peer mentoring sessions on the horizon.
“The success of the club is measured by student engagement and feedback,” Raj said. “When students tell us that they’ve gained valuable insights and that they’ll use what they’ve learned in their future careers, that makes it all worth it.”
The club is open to all TRU students, whether you’re an accounting major or studying a different program. For those interested in getting involved with the accounting club, there are several ways to connect. You can reach out via email at acctclub.trusu@gmail.com, follow their updates on Instagram at @trusuaccounting, or join their professional network on LinkedIn at TRUSU Accounting Club.
*Update 02/08/2025: A previous version of the article listed Tony Bell as the Accounting Club’s faculty advisor, The Omega has been made aware this is no longer the case*