New Accountant Settles in the Cashier's Office

Staff Writer

   The newest accountant in the University of Arkansas-Monticello system traveled almost 10,000 miles and lived in three countries before completing her degree and accepting her first position following college graduation.

Photo by Eric Bell

Working - Rowena Copico helps first-year student Xavier Woods.  Copico recently joined the staff in the Cashier's Office of Harris Hall.

   As a young wife, Rowena Copico left her native country of the Philippines and moved to Ontario, Canada in 1971 with her husband. Needing only one semester of studies to complete her degree, Copico researched the possibility of attending college in Canada.

   “Since Canada did not have an academic reciprocity agreement with the Philippines, I was going to have to start all over at Grade 13,” Copico said.

   Prior to 2003, students applying directly to universities were required to obtain a Secondary School Honors Graduation Diploma, which they received after Grade 13. Also referred to as the Ontario Academic Credit, Canadian universities required OAC for admission.

   “I did not want to start over,” Copico said. “So, I got a job to help while my husband went to school for a year.”

   For 28 years the Copicos lived in a community outside Ontario, close to the Michigan border. Mr. Copico worked in the local hospital as the director of laboratory services and Mrs. Copico home-schooled their two children, Ryan and Robyn, until they went to high school.

   In 1999, downsizing cost Mr. Copico his job at their local hospital. The Copico’s son relocated to Warren where he served as the coordinator of the school’s character education program. He encouraged his father to apply for an open position at Bradley County Medical Center. He did - and the rest of the family moved to Bradley County.

   “It’s kind of funny. The place we lived in Canada was known as the ‘tomato capital of Canada’,” Copico said laughingly. “And we moved to a place that has the ‘Pink Tomato Festival’.”

   Copico finally had the opportunity to complete her studies as a non-traditional student at UAM. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration and Accounting in 2007.

   Copico learned of the accounting opening through a friend of her daughter’s. While she does not want to pursue a career in a private business as an accountant, she plans to apply and sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam in the coming year. According to exam regulations, Copico will have 18 months to take the four areas covered by the test. It takes four hours to complete one section of the exam.

   Copico enjoys her new position at UAM and through her work at the Cashier’s Office gets to see the different personalities and backgrounds of the students her office serves.

   “I love it here,” Copico said. “I instantly had good chemistry with Mildred Jones and Jason Cooper in this office. Everyone has been so willing to share and be helpful. I can understand why people have worked here (UAM) for 20 or 30 years. It really speaks a lot about what a type of institution we have.”

   A typical day in the Cashier’s Office involves more than simply disbursing refund checks or accepting payments on student accounts. According to Copico, she is responsible for double-checking deposit slips, accounts and bank accounts; reviewing accounts receivable; maintenance, billing and receiving; and interfacing with registration, admissions and financial aid.

   “We see a total financial picture of the university,” Copico said. “There’s really a lot of work behind each account.”

   Copico said she hopes to have the chance to stay in the university system for years to come, even if it’s not in the same position or office.

   “I’d like to take advantage of going back to school, possibly the Masters of Arts in Teaching program. This is just like a new beginning for me.”

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