Moving to a new country is no small feat. Newcomers often experience challenges finding employment in their field. In-Tac Accounting & Taxation Services, an initiative of the Ottawa Chinese Community Services Centre (OCCSC), is a local social-enterprise that has been around since 2012. They not only provide professional accounting, bookkeeping and taxation services to small-to-medium sized business and not-for-profits, they also help internationally educated professionals find jobs in their field of expertise.
CSED recently sat down with Manager, Heart Su to talk about who they are and discuss the good work they do. We share the interview here.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
As a social enterprise, In-Tac fills two major gaps in the Ottawa community. We provide low cost accounting support services to start-ups, small businesses, social enterprises and NPOs And we offer an internship opportunity for internationally trained professionals in the accounting field to gain local work experience.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND CREATING THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE?
One of the biggest challenges for newcomers trying to secure employment in their field is the lack of Canadian work experience. This is not only true for those who come with many years of accounting experience from their home countries, but also for those who join the profession after immigrating to Canada. The inspiration behind creating the social enterprise came from the desire to help these individuals overcome these obstacles. In-Tac provides them with the opportunity to use their skills and gain much-needed hands-on experience working with real accounting and bookkeeping business clients.
The other inspiration was to provide a full range of accounting, bookkeeping and taxation services to business clients in a timely and accurate manner. This is a commitment that we feel cannot be compromised.
The original inspiration was to assist newcomers with their employment struggles however we have found that our model benefits two groups – internationally trained accountants and local small businesses.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AND YOUR TEAM INSPIRED?
Our interns and clients inspire us on a daily basis. Our clients are so grateful for the service they receive at reasonable rates and to see our interns confidence increase as they work on client files.. Of course our greatest inspiration and joy comes from our interns when they secure employment.
WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED ALONG THE WAY?
To keep our mission at the heart of everything we do, whether it is in developing new business, mentoring the interns, or collaborating with organizational partners and listening to their needs.
WHAT MAKES YOU MOST PROUD
We are proud to serve a diverse entrepreneurial base for whom our services have great value. We are also very proud of the results the interns have in securing employment after completing the program.
WHAT’S YOUR VISION MOVING FORWARD?
To continue to expand the program so that we can assist more newcomers and the small businesses we serve.
WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?
Delivering what we promised on time, finding answers to the difficult questions and how to better market our program and services to assist more newcomers and small business operators.
Learn more about In-Tac Accounting & Taxation Services