KPMG in Bermuda has announced that three of its young Bermudian accountants have earned CPA designations.

Danielle Richards and Chelsy Furtado earned designations as Chartered Professional Accountants, and Brianna Buchanan has earned a Certified Professional Accountant designation.

Steve Woodward, managing director and lead of the KPMG Graduate Programme, said: “This is such a wonderful milestone in their careers, and it is rewarding to see trainee accountants in our Lift Off Graduate Programme become qualified accountants. It also takes on special significance when we are able to support the growth and development of Bermudians.”

Ms Richards joined KPMG in 2014, as a staff accountant in banking and asset management. A graduate of Acadia University (BA in business administration/accounting), she was on the Dean’s list twice and she has been recognised with many awards throughout high school and university.

“What a relief it is to have completed my CPA exams and designation; it is indeed a prestigious designation that I will carry with me for the rest of my career. The road hasn’t been easy, it has required sacrifice, perseverance, and determination. I am so thankful for the support and encouragement from KPMG, my family and friends. I dedicate my certification to my father, Terrence Richards, who was an outstanding accountant for many years, it’s an honour to follow in his footsteps.”

Ms Furtado joined KPMG’s Enterprise team in the summer of 2015, as a recipient of the Bacardi Scholarship and the KPMG/Bacardi Reciprocity Programme. She rejoined the firm in October 2016, as a staff accountant. Ms Furtado attended Acadia University and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration/accounting.

“For some, accounting may be about numbers but for me, accounting was a world of possibilities. Ever since my first accounting class in grade nine, I knew that I wanted to become an accountant,” Ms Furtado said.

“That’s why after months of sleepless nights and copious amounts of coffee, I was elated to realise my aspirations of becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant were finally coming true. Thank you to my family, friends and KPMG for their continued support. This is your success as much as it is my own.”

Ms Buchanan joined KPMG in 2014 as a summer intern, having received a KPMG Scholarship and participated in the KPMG/Bacardi Reciprocity Programme. She rejoined the firm as a staff accountant in January 2018. Ms Buchanan is a graduate of the University of Alabama (BA in business administration and finance) where she earned her master’s in accounting and was on the dean’s list throughout university.

“After putting months and countless hours into studying for these examinations, I am overwhelmed with excitement and joy to be able to say I have successfully completed the US Certified Public Accountant exam process,” Ms Buchanan said.

“While my social life may have been non-existent through this process, the CPA designation is a title I will get to carry for the rest of my life. Thank you to KPMG and the Lift Off Programme’s Graduate Committee for providing ample support and guidance through this process.”

KPMG in Bermuda runs a 12-week programme for summer interns and a four-to-six-month co-op placement programme, offered to a select group of Bermudian undergraduates.

The KPMG in Bermuda Scholarship Programme is valued at $20,000 annually and renewable for three years based on meeting programme requirements, and is awarded to high-performing Bermudian university students interested in pursuing a career with KPMG as an accountant or in any other business-related area.

Many of the firm’s interns and scholarship recipients go on to participate in KPMG’s Graduate Programme. During 2018, KPMG in Bermuda employed 18 interns and expect a similar number in 2019. There are 15 Bermudians in the firm’s Lift Off Graduate Trainee Programme.