College of the Rockies student project helps local business

by Keith Powell — June 15, 2015

COTR Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student Ashley Tanner helped Hryciuk Gallinger Certified General Accountants transition to a paperless client records system.

College of the Rockies Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student Ashley Tanner was instrumental in helping a local business transition to a paperless client records system. To complete the sustainability requirements of her degree, Tanner needed to find an industry partner to work with on a research project. She chose Hryciuk Gallinger Certified General Accountants.

“The timing was great for us,” says Bruce Hryciuk. “We had been wanting to transition to a paperless system for a long time. Working with Ashley was the kick-start we needed to get us on that road.”

Through interviews, questionnaires and data collection, Tanner was able to determine the financial, psychological and ethical implications and benefits of the CGA firm moving to a paperless system. Though Hryciuk Gallinger was utilizing recycled paper, she found that the environmental and financial benefits of shifting to an online system were significant with very little downside.

Tanner was then able to identify and research a document management software option that Hryciuk Gallinger was interested in. They have taken the first steps to implement the new software and hope to be fully utilizing it this summer.

“I learned so much about sustainability in the BBA program. It has affected me on a personal and professional level and will affect my decision making in the future,” says Tanner. “I’m thrilled to see Hryciuk Gallinger implementing a paperless system and achieving their goal of becoming more sustainable.”

Tanner, who celebrated her graduation from the BBA program at the College’s May 29 commencement ceremony, has an interest in seeing advancements in the accounting industry as she is currently working toward becoming a Certified General Accountant.

Learn more about College of the Rockies’ Bachelor of Business Administration: Sustainable Business Practices program.