Notes from a Nation Builder: Amanda Chevrier, CPA, CA (B.Comm. 2007)
Amanda Chevrier spends her days helping Saskatchewan businesses and non-profits thrive by reducing their business expenses. By taking the worry of expenses off their plate, she also provides them with more time to focus on doing what they do best.
What is your involvement and responsibilities with Schooley Mitchell?
I am excited to announce that I incorporated my own company as a franchisee with Schooley Mitchell! In a nutshell, we help businesses save money by making sure that they aren't paying more than they should for their overhead expenses.
There are eight cost categories that we look at which includes telecommunications, credit card processing fees, courier, eSignature fees, waste, utilities, fuel, and electronic logging devices. We assess the market to ensure our business clients are getting the best rates for the service that they need. We're not a vendor providing services, and we do not get any kickbacks from the vendors themselves. Instead, we provide unbiased knowledge and the negotiating clout that comes along with being the largest cost reduction consulting company in North America. Instead of a business owner or controller having to research and monitor what the best phone plans are out there, we do that for you. We also negotiate with the vendors on our clients’ behalf.
In my career as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), I know that every business owner is always looking to increase their profit. I enjoy working with business owners and helping them in any way I can. So, I recognized that the services of Schooley Mitchell are needed in the market and aligns with my interests and background. I get excited about saving money! The founder of Schooley Mitchell is also a CPA so it makes sense that I was drawn to this franchise – it’s a perfect fit for me.
I help business owners save time and money on overheads so they can focus on the more important things in their business such as increasing sales and finding qualified staff. What I like most about Schooley Mitchell is that every business can benefit from this service. It's not specific to any one industry, and so I can help many different businesses.
I just started in January 2022, so I'm getting out there networking, joining referral groups, reconnecting with business acquaintances, and meeting business owners. This is a very referral-based business so going out and making those connections is a huge part of it.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time at university?
During my time in university, Edwards students got to know each other well through the group work that was involved in many of the classes. Specifically, those in the accounting major all knew each other and where everyone was going to work after university. I remember feeling like I was part of an Edwards community.
What is your favorite or the most rewarding part of the work that you do now?
Helping businesses and getting to know them and their unique needs throughout the process.
What advice do you have for students or alumni looking to do something similar to this?
My accounting career hasn't been typical, even before Schooley Mitchell. You don't have to be pigeonholed, there are different opportunities out there. I started out at a public accounting firm doing generalist work, and that was a great springboard to the rest of my career. Even today with Schooley Mitchell, I utilize that knowledge gained from my first employer. I would advise starting out as a generalist to find out what you like and don’t like. You don't have to have it all figured out in university.