Meet shelly bilouzenko

Acres is celebrating 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 by highlighting the contributions of the wonderful women that make up our team!

Get to know Shelly Bilouzenko, Acres Enterprises’ Controller, who’s story is proof that amazing things can happen when you go after your goals.  

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?

I got into construction because of Acres. 

I was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and had grown tired of the hustle and bustle. I was looking for a position that would be challenging but also provide a better work-life balance. I’ve worked in a variety of industries, such as manufacturing, research, and development, and in the public sector. When I came upon the Acres posting for an Assistant Controller in the construction industry, I was intrigued. I researched the company and Kamloops area and was eager to get involved. After meeting with Mike and Jason and learning of the company’s plans and proven successes, I was sold. I packed up and moved to a new city, new house, and new job. My family moved up 6-months later once school was finished. I didn’t know anyone in Kamloops, but the Acres family instantly made me feel welcomed.

I was promoted to Controller in 2020. I’ve just celebrated two years with Acres and there’s never a dull moment. There are learning opportunities every day and I couldn’t ask for a better team to work with.

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫.

As the Controller, I manage the day-to-day and monthly accounting and payroll functions and systems in a multi-company structure. I prepare financial statements and a variety of reports. I ensure accounting procedures conform to generally accepted accounting principles and policies and procedures are followed. Outside of the accounting and finance duties, part of my job is looking for efficiencies (work smarter not harder) through further utilization of our existing systems or adding new ones.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲?

You can do anything you want and don’t be afraid. Times are changing and more and more women are entering the construction industry whether in the trades or in the office and management roles.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐨𝐟?

I’m particularly proud of my CPA, CMA designation. I worked full-time and went to school part-time. It took longer but I persevered especially being able to enroll in the fast-track program, which condensed the courses and allowed me to write the entrance exam sooner. I planned my wedding as I was studying for my entrance exam and gave birth to my daughter during the first year of the strategic leadership program. She was nine days old at my last session of the first year! She came to every session of my second year. It was tough to manage but I had my husband’s support and when you have a goal, and you really want it, you can do anything.