Alumni Achievers

Co-Owner
Regent Security Services and KP Cleaning

Last position with BDO: Senior Staff Accountant

BDO was transformative for my career and greatly contributed to my achievements as an entrepreneur. I learned the importance of digging deep into the root cause and asking, "why is it like this?" when evaluating businesses and life. That first principles thinking has been valuable for evaluating businesses to buy and for auditing our own processes and systems. Thinking like an auditor is like being a Swiss army knife and I have BDO to thank for that. BDO's culture was exceptional, being surrounding by smart, intellectual people who value collaboration and created an inclusive environment was enjoyable and resulted in a special bond. These principles of teamwork are something that I try to instill in my own teams.

Chief Operating Officer
NOTICE Hair Co.

Last position with BDO: Senior Accountant

My time at BDO laid the foundation to propel me into entrepreneurial life. Being able to pivot and navigate different industries and businesses has shaped me into a strong leader by commanding critical thinking and problem solving skills. Working with so many different clients at BDO provided such a breadth of experience it never felt scary to break into a new industry. In my career post-BDO, I've worked for a media entertainment group, a not-for-profit agency and now as a founder of my own hair care brand!

Founder & CEO
Requity Homes

Last position with BDO: Senior Accountant

I like to think having a crash course in accounting gives insight into business as a whole. My time at BDO was foundational for me, both as my first job in Canada and as an accountant. I got exposure to different types of businesses and it was a rewarding experience.

Managing Director - Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, Canada
Jefferies

Last position with BDO: Senior Manager, Accounting & Assurance

My time with BDO's A&A practice equipped me with the in-depth technical knowledge to take on a CFO role at a global investment bank. Aside from the late nights and hard work, never forget about your family and the A&A team colleagues that supported you along the way. It's an honor to have worked at such a great firm with great people!

Assistant Vice President, Tax and Estate Planning
Manulife

Last position with BDO: Manager, Tax Controversy

The skills I learned at BDO have been invaluable to my career. A key skill I developed was effective file management. Working across practice groups to provide services to clients taught me the importance of collaboration and was an excellent example of how an organization can deliver the best possible service. I will use that experience, and the mentorship I received, as a guideline to how I practice law.

Chief Financial Officer
The Value Group of Companies

Last position with BDO: Manager

During my tenure at BDO, I not only refined my financial skills but also had the privilege of learning and shaping my leadership style under the guidance of a remarkable partner. Her intelligence, resourcefulness, and ability to rise to any challenge left an indelible mark on me. As a CFO, I continue to carry forward these invaluable lessons, fostering collaboration, driving strategic thinking, and inspiring excellence among my teams.

Chief Financial Officer
Crystal Creek Homes

Last position with BDO: Senior Accountant

At BDO, I had the privilege of immersing myself in an extensive array of industries, that nurtured the expansion of my technical skills. This enriching experience was complemented by the invaluable support system within the organization, which played a pivotal role in my professional growth. In addition to gaining technical skills at BDO, I also cultivated lasting connections and friendships that positively impacted my career trajectory.

Chief Financial Officer
Kovo HealthTech Corporation

Last position with BDO: Manager

BDO provided me with invaluable exposure to many different industries, from real estate to technology to healthcare. This made me a more adept professional, allowing me to leverage that experience and merge best practices, and apply that to the different clients I have worked with since leaving BDO. My favorite memories at BDO were working with the awesome team members in the bullpen, including Bruno Suppa, before he became CEO. I still maintain relationships with numerous staff and team members from my BDO days.

Chief Financial Officer
Entourage Health Corp

Last position with BDO: Manager

The impact of starting my career at BDO was invaluable and three key things have served me well throughout my career. Firstly, there is no task too small or too big; choose to accept opportunities when they become available. Secondly, money is no object, and experience is key. When making a career decision, make sure you consider learning and growing. Growth will not always be vertical, a lateral move can round us out even more as professionals. Lastly, relationships and your ability to collaborate effectively will determine your ability to grow. Make it your mission to develop this skill.

Director of Risk Management, Internal Audit & Procurement
Electrical Safety Authority

Last position with BDO: Manager

One of my biggest takeaways from my time at BDO was how important communication is. BDO helped me to build the skills needed to be able to share information catered to an audience and facilitate effective discussion throughout all levels of an organization. These skills have played a pivotal role in my success throughout my career but especially as Director of Risk Management and Internal Audit where I work closely with staff, senior management and the Board.

CEO and Founder
Changemakers HQ

Last position with BDO: Senior Accountant

While at BDO, I honed a skill that's been my North Star since, swiftly assessing and deciphering a company's risk landscape. The knack for asking the right questions has proven its weight in gold as I've taken on higher leadership roles in my career, and now it's the superpower I offer my clients.

Director of Finance
Bruno Group of Companies

Last position with BDO: Senior Controller, CFO and Controller Services

My time at BDO helped me develop skills that have been useful in my career, such as managing diverse teams remotely during COVID-19. Additionally, I gained confidence in my technical accounting skills!

Studio Head
Arctic 7

Last position with BDO: Senior Manager

Having gone through two acquisitions now, I value the experience gained at BDO as a key member of the BDO Digital integration team. I was fortunate to further develop my leadership abilities within a corporate setting, leading major change initiatives across various departments within the organization.

Chief Financial Officer
NC Consulting, Inc.

Last position with BDO: Senior Accountant

While technical strength holds significance, nothing surpasses the value of genuine kindness and ethical reliability in a professional. This enduring combination will benefit you in the years ahead.

Partner
Imperium Consulting

Last position with BDO: Manager, Audit and Assurance

The project management and communication skills I developed at BDO have been invaluable to me as a business consultant.

Chief Financial Officer
Canada Drives

Last position with BDO: Senior Accountant

Take full advantage of the time early in your career in public practice. It's a unique opportunity to learn both the soft and hard skills that will benefit you greatly in the future. The value of getting your start with a firm like BDO is you have access to resources and the ability to get exposure to many areas within the firm. My fondest memories come from the time spent among audit teams; building camaraderie, seeing firsthand how a finance department operates, and seeing how my seniors and managers navigated the interpersonal relationships—both internally with the team and externally with the client. I owe a lot of gratitude to my former managers and partners for their mentorship and demonstration of hard work. I wouldn't be where I am today without these experiences.

Vice President, Private Equity
Clairvest Group Inc

Last position with BDO: Senior Staff Accountant

You don't need to have all the answers. Part of growth is finding comfort in the discomfort and being humble enough to seek advice or guidance from those who are more knowledgeable. A critical component of seeking advice is in knowing who to ask and what to believe. Part of taking control of your path, growth, or business is assessing whether that person is qualified to give you advice. You wouldn't ask a lawyer for advice on a problem you have with your tooth, you'd ask a dentist; and yet, my younger self sought advice from people who had never been where I wanted to go (friends, parents, colleagues etc.). Humility in knowing I didn't have all the answers (and that was okay) and the wherewithal to better seek guidance and learn would have served me well in my earlier years.

Chief Financial Officer
Lankin Investments

Last position with BDO: Senior Accountant

I have two pieces of advice for the next generation of CPAs. Firstly, the role of the CPA continues to evolve, and our ability to 'tell the story' financially and provide context into navigating changing economic environments is important. Secondly, learn from your co-workers, peers, supervisors, and others who have the skills and behaviours you'd like to develop. Having a mentor early in your career is a great way to do this.

Chief Financial Officer
Cressey Development Group

Last position with BDO: Partner

The first thing I would advise is to be patient with your career, nothing is a better teacher than experience. And second, to make the most of that experience, always push yourself outside your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to take chances and if you make mistakes, which you will, take the time to reflect on what you could have done differently next time around, learn and grow from it.”

Associate Director
Roynat Equity Partners

Last position with BDO: Director, M&A and Capital Markets

Focus on building authentic relationships and continually learning and everything else will follow.

Chief Executive Officer
Coast Funds

Last position with BDO: Senior Manager, Assurance

Don't be afraid of change. Take on all the opportunities that come to you—you never know where they'll lead you to!

Chief Financial Officer
Derek Stimson Holdings

Last position with BDO: Senior Audit Manager

Don't underestimate the utility of knowing what's going on in the world. Read the news, understand credit cycles, and follow markets. A developed macro view of the world is a great complement to any technical skillset.

Chief Financial Officer
Q-Gold Resources Ltd., O2 Gold Inc. Medivolve Inc.

Last position with BDO: Senior Manager

The problem-solving skills you learn in public practice stay with you throughout your career.