Nokee Kwe Launches Zhooniyaa - a free Bookkeeping and Income Tax training program in London, Ontario.

for immediate release

Nokee Kwe, in partnership with the Certified Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (CPB Canada), Algonquin College, and the Canada Revenue Agency, announces open registration for a free Bookkeeping and Income Tax training program in London, Ontario.

Founded on Indigenous principles, Nokee Kwe is dedicated to creating, promoting, and sustaining culturally sensitive environments, which encourage and support personal development and self determination.

The ‘Zhooniyaa’ training program contributes to Nokee Kwe’s vision of leadership in the provision of holistic and comprehensive services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

LONDON, ON — Nokee Kwe continues to create innovative employment and learning solutions with the introduction of their newest educational program. The program, called Zhooniyaa, means “money” in Ojibwe, and was created in partnership with CPB Canada and Algonquin College. By training and introducing underrepresented groups to self-sustaining/supporting careers, Nokee Kwe helps to support diversity and opportunity in the local economy. No experience is required to participate in this program.

This opportunity will provide practical learning with bookkeeping principles and software that are commonly used in the workplace.

“Our government is on a mission to spread opportunity more fairly and widely to every corner of our province,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why we’re investing in innovative training programs like this, which will prepare jobseekers in London for well-paying jobs in the financial industry.”

With support from Minister McNaughton, Nokee Kwe, CPB Canada and Algonquin College will provide participants with support as they learn the fundamentals of bookkeeping and completing income tax returns. Nokee Kwe and CPB Canada will also be working with graduates of the program to find placements and/or employment opportunities post-graduation.

ABOUT NOKEE KWE

Established in 1978, Indigenous-led Nokee Kwe is an Employment and Education Centre that helps individuals find rewarding and fulfilling employment opportunities, improve literacy, and develop the skills needed in today’s workforce. They are leaders in holistic, comprehensive education and employment services for all, particularly across London’s Indigenous communities. Services are geared to individuals experiencing unemployment or difficulty with career and life transitions. The organization uses a client-centred, culturally sensitive approach in their work, that focuses on identifying and finding solutions to employment and learning obstacles. Nokee Kwe is a charitable non-profit organization whose programs are primarily funded through the Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development, the City of London, and private/business donors.

ABOUT CPB CANADA

The Certified Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (CPB Canada) is a member-based association, a national certifying body, and the leading professional and career development organization for bookkeepers in Canada. As the largest and fastest-growing bookkeeping association in Canada, we create a diverse professional community that inspires excellence, builds meaningful connections, and fosters innovation and learning. From continuing professional development, resources to meaningful networking, mentoring, and peer support. CPB Canada drives the national bookkeeping standard in the accounting profession through the Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB) designation. These standards guide the knowledge, business practices, and ethical standards required for professional bookkeepers to be certified in the accounting industry.

ABOUT THE BOOKKEEPING INSTRUCTOR

The Bookkeeping instructor, Graham Sheppard B.Comm., M.Ed., CPA-CGA, has enjoyed a successful career in accountancy, administration, and academia over the past forty years. He has held positions in the public sector, colleges, and universities in four Canadian provinces. Graham holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Educational Administration along with being a Chartered Professional Accountant. In academia, he has held positions of Chairperson of the School of Business, University Registrar, College Campus Principal, college professor and currently is retained as an adjunct professor with Algonquin College. His early career in accounting and auditing started in his native province of Newfoundland and Labrador. He has maintained close engagement with his profession throughout his working life. Immediately before retirement, Graham returned to accountancy as Senior Auditor for broadcasting at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Graham has a seasoned understanding of and appreciation for Canada’s first nations peoples, having worked with indigenous groups in Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Nunavut.

ABOUT THE TAX RETURN INSTRUCTOR

The Tax return instructor, John Panko. John has been completing income tax assessments for over 30 years. He became a volunteer tax completer in 2000 through the CRA’s community volunteer income tax program, working with the London Public Library, and then 7 years ago with Nokee Kwe. John’s customer service focus, and gentle manner have helped many individuals and families overcome their fear of the tax return process, by explaining to them all the steps in the process and making it easy. “Every client’s return and income situation demands a personal approach as well as an understanding as to how to apply what I’ve learned through experience and practice. By completing tax returns for Nokee Kwe I’ve have been taught something of value as well as appreciate working with clients and their families sitting across the table. My view is simple: the work I do has a human quality to it and not entirely based upon the numbers and forms presented before me.” During one particularly busy year, John assisted over 90 individuals complete their personal income tax returns. As a writer, and historian, John also returned to school as an adult to study accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll at Fanshawe College. In his words, “Fanshawe provided a great foundation to appreciating the accounting process particularly in understanding the assembly and logic of numbers, assets, depreciations, and correct calculations. I not only had great accounting teachers; I was lucky enough to be taught by at tax accountant.”

This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.