Name: Brinder Grewal
Kwantlen Program: Accounting Diploma
Grad Year: 2010
Professional Title: Staff Accountant
Company Website: www.kpmg.com
Kwantlen Accounting grad, Brinder Grewal, provides her clients with exceptional audit, tax and advisory services at KPMG– a job that is clearly her passion. Read her inspiring Alumni Q & A below and why this international student from India and self proclaimed 'numbers gal' embraces every day at the office.
What are your primary responsibilities at KPMG?
KPMG is one of the largest professional service companies in the world and provides exceptional Audit, Tax, and Advisory services. I work in KPMG’s US Tax Group. My Primary responsibilities at KPMG include, but are not limited to:
- Analyze trial balance and financial statements to identify tax adjustments;
- Research and prepare book-to-tax adjustments schedules;
- Prepare/review Federal, State and City income tax returns for corporations and partnerships;
- Answer questions for tax accounting rules and procedures by researching and interpreting tax policy and regulations;
- Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications and establishing personal networks.
What do you enjoy most about your position? I love and enjoy everything about my job, starting from mathematical calculations, research work, training peers and most importantly – learning new rules and regulations. Every day gives me a new experience. Since childhood, numbers have been my passion and now that's my career.
Where does your inspiration come from? My parents have always been my inspiration and have always supported me. When I decided to come to Canada to study, they supported me and arranged everything for me here. And now my husband is a great support for me. He has always motivated me and stands by me in all situations. Also, my inspiration comes from the everyday challenges that I face during my work, such as figuring out the small hidden numbers doing the tax return preparation and researching for tax adjustments.
What are you most proud of? Completing my Masters in Mathematics from Punjab University, Chandigarh (India) was really a big achievement for me – this was my dream since I was in Grade eight. I wanted to do my Masters, specifically from this university, and it was really hard to get in since there were over 100,000 candidates competing for 18 seats. I felt like top of the world when I came to know that I got eleventh rank in the entrance exam.
Secondly, working with KPMG is equally thrilling. When I first came to Canada, I had no idea what KPMG was and what do they do. I listened to the instructors talking about KPMG in the classroom and then I researched about it. One day I saw the KPMG office in Abbotsford (it was back in 2009) and started thinking that one day I would definitely work for this company. The day I got hired was a great day for me. It fulfilled another big dream.
Greatest advice for life? Live in the present. Don't think about what's left behind and don't worry too much about what you awaits in the future. Also, I strongly believe: if you can perceive it, your mind can believe it, only then can you achieve it.
What was your favourite Kwantlen moment? There were so many great moments that I never really thought of only one moment. I will always cherish all the time spent in Kwantlen and think about my instructors: Ange Frymire, Laurette Korman, Kegan Doyle and Valerie Warren – also all the other instructors whose names I can't recall at this point. A Big Thank You to all of you for teaching and training me so well!
What is the last book you read? Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert.
What are your big summer plans? I haven't really made any plans yet. I got married on December 14, 2012 and my husband is in India. I am waiting for him to come within this month and then we can plan some outing or go for a short trip to Hawaii or Italy.