Climbing the corporate ladder: Heather’s journey into the world of accounting
Accounting was a natural fit
Eight years after graduating from Rotman Commerce with an accounting specialization, Heather Sung is now driving digital change in the accounting world as a Tax Transformation Manager at KPMG. Heather always gravitated towards numbers over words, so when it was time to specialize her studies at RC, accounting was a natural fit. RSM222: Management Accounting was a standout course; its practicality and straightforward nature made complex financial concepts easy to grasp and directly applicable to real-world business scenarios.
While reflecting on the past, Heather notes how RC has helped her become the person she is today.
From uncertainty to confidence
Like many other RC students, Heather often felt overwhelmed by the program’s workload and rigorous structure. To maintain a healthy life balance, she planned ahead by noting important dates as soon as course outlines were released. Looking back on her time in RC, Heather recognizes the value of all those assignments, presentations and exams. The program’s knowledge-rich curriculum provided the strong technical foundation necessary to achieve her CPA designation and allows her to make informed decisions with big impacts at KPMG.
Heather describes several parallels between her experiences at RC and her current role. During her undergrad, she worked on group projects with students from diverse backgrounds, which prepared her for working in a global team with colleagues from different age groups and regions. Handling several courses simultaneously in each semester helped her to develop the time management skills required to manage various commitments at once. Additionally, attending RC’s networking events helped boost her confidence when representing her company at conferences. “RC instilled in me the importance of professionalism, which encompasses attitude, appearance, and manners,” Heather explains.
Jump into the corporate world
During her undergrad, Heather completed a 16-month internship at IBM Canada as a financial analyst. “This experience provided me with valuable insights into the role of a corporate finance team and the day-to-day responsibilities of an FP&A analyst within a multinational corporation,” she says. During this internship, she applied the theoretical knowledge gained at RC to real-world situations, such as month-end booking and forecasting cycles. The experience solidified her understanding of accounting concepts, sharpened her Excel skills, and helped her to gain a better understanding of the corporate world. When the 16 months were over, Heather felt confident that this was what she was meant to do with her career.
Before joining KPMG, Heather held several finance roles, each with a unique set of responsibilities. The common thread has been the importance of people management, as effective managers must manage the expectations of their stakeholders, clients, and colleagues. Currently, as a Tax Transformation Manager, Heather’s role consists of collaborating with her team, designing digital solutions for transformation projects, and conducting data workshops with her clients.
The most rewarding aspect of her job is the consistent focus on improving efficiency and productivity. Heather believes it’s important that processes be re-evaluated and optimized, given the world’s digital culture. “It is incredibly satisfying to witness the increased efficiency achieved through our solutions and to hear how clients have saved significant time and resources,” says Heather.
Advice for students interested in pursuing accounting
While building a strong technical foundation is essential, Heather emphasizes that staying informed about technology trends is vital for success in the accounting world. The accounting profession is rapidly evolving, with new technologies constantly emerging. Staying up to date with trends allows students to take advantage of new opportunities while adapting to industry changes.
Ultimately, it is vital to ask questions and never stop. Heather advises, “There is no shame in not knowing something. In fact, wisdom is knowing what you don’t know. By asking questions, you will gain a deeper understanding and be able to apply your knowledge more effectively.”
By Anika Kulathu (BCom ‘27) | November 14, 2025
