KPMG Congratulates New CPA Professionals

January 20, 2021

KPMG in Bermuda is offering its congratulations to Ranisha Simmons, Ciara Rego, and Jahlae Outerbridge on the successful completion of their accounting designations.

A spokesperson said, “The Managing Directors and staff of KPMG in Bermuda congratulate Ranisha Simmons [Chartered Professional Accountant – CPA Canada]; Ciara Rego, and Jahlae Outerbridge [Certified Public Accountants – CPA United States] on the successful completion of their accounting designations.

Jahlae Outerbridge, Ranisha Simmons, and Ciara Rego:

KPMG CPA Professionals Bermuda Jan 2021

“Ranisha joined KPMG in Bermuda’s Private Enterprise department in January 2018 after graduating with a 4.0 GPA degree in Accounting from Mount Saint Vincent University.”

Ms Simmons said, “It is a blessing to have successfully completed my CPA CA designation journey after two years of hard work. I’m filled with joy and relief that this process has come to an end, and I look forward to the new opportunities it will bring. Through the challenges, obstacles, and moments of self-doubt, I’m thankful for the unwavering support I received from KPMG, family, and friends.”

The spokesperson said, “Ciara joined KPMG in Bermuda’s Private Enterprise department as an intern in the summer of 2016. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA Masters’ degree in Accounting from the University of Tampa. Ciara is also the 2015 KPMG Scholarship recipient.

“She previously worked at KPMG on three different occasions as a summer intern, before being employed full time as a member of our Private Enterprise audit team in September 2019.”

Ms Rego said, “The two-year journey has finally ended – I have successfully completed the U.S. Certified Public Accountant exam process. From the moment I found out scores were released for my final exam to the moment I found out my results, my emotions were a rollercoaster.

“I can say that I am extremely relieved and grateful to be finished. I am thankful for my family, friends, colleagues and KPMG for providing support during the process of accomplishing something for my career and my future that was extremely draining, but so worth it at the end.”

The spokesperson said, “Jahlae is a member of our Tax practice, joining KPMG in Bermuda, as a Graduate Trainee within the Financial Services audit department at the start of June 2019, after graduating with a 4.0 GPA Bachelors’ degree in Accounting from Georgia State University. Jahlae is the 2016 KPMG Scholarship recipient.”

Ms Outerbridge said, “After two years of studying, I am proud to finally say that I have successfully completed all four parts of the U.S. Certified Public Accountant exam. It was a tough journey, but this feeling of accomplishment has definitely made the entire process worth it. Thank you to KPMG for their investment in my education and career.”

Mike Morrison, CEO of KPMG in Bermuda, said, “I congratulate Ranisha, Ciara and Jahlae on these milestone achievements. Each of them exemplifies what we want from our Lift Off program where talent, opportunity, learning and development and dedication can produce professional designations and the platform to build a rewarding career. We are very excited about their future opportunities with our firm.”

Steve Woodward, Managing Director and lead of the KPMG Lift Off Program, said, “It is wonderful to see our graduates continue on to become qualified accountants. It takes on an additional significance when we are able to support the growth of Bermudians.”

Adam Smith, Managing Director and Head of People, said, “At KPMG, we are focused on excellence and developing our people to reach their full potential. We continue to invest in our Learning and Development Program, led by Garita Coddington, aimed at developing skills and behaviours crucial to becoming a leader.

“Well done to our graduates for reaching this major milestone in their career and I look forward to seeing them continue to develop into leaders in our firm and the community.”

Wanda Armstrong, Senior Manager for KPMG’s Lift Off Program and Vice Chair of the Graduate Committee, said, “It is rewarding and a joy to witness the transition of our Bermudian students’ growth and development from internship through to experienced qualified accounting professionals.

“I am so pleased to see our three female graduates achieve these significant accomplishments and look forward to them becoming our future leaders.”

The spokesperson said, “Each of our newly qualified employees has taken part in the firm’s KPMG Lift Off Program. We currently have 12 Bermudians that are in various stages of achieving the CPA CA, CPA U.S. and ACA designations. During the past five years, KPMG has seen eight Bermudians achieve their CPA professional designations.

“The program has three robust curriculums. The first is our Summer Internship/Co-Op Placement Program where employment is offered to a select group of Bermudian undergraduates [12-week period for interns and 4-6 months for university co-op placements].

“The second is our KPMG Scholarship Program whereby an award, valued at $20,000 per annum for up to three years, is granted to a Bermudian university student interested in pursuing a career either as a Chartered Professional Accountant, a Certified Public Accountant or an Associate Chartered Accountant.

“Within our third curriculum many of our interns and scholarship recipients then continue on to take part in our Graduate Trainee Program, where they join us as full time employees and are supported with on the job training, mentoring as well as sponsorship of further education towards their professional accounting designation.

“All three curriculums are available through an application process which can be found by visiting here.

“For more information, please contact Wanda Armstrong, Senior Manager and Vice Chair, KPMG Lift Off Program, on 441-294-2679 or wandaarmstrong@kpmg.bm.”

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  1. Wow says:

    Congratulations. Best wishes but where are our young men.