What’s your background?
I have more than 20 years of experience providing GST/HST, PST/QST, as well as EHT and WSIB solutions to clients, which includes sales tax audit and recovery engagements. I began my career in indirect tax with the Ministry of Finance and then spent five years working in public accounting in managerial roles prior to joining Baker Tilly.
What keeps you busy outside the office?
I enjoy spending time with my wife and two children. Prior to the pandemic, one of my primary interests was the Toronto culinary world, enjoying all types of food from French to Japanese, Middle Eastern to South American and beyond. I am also an avid sports fan, who is obsessed with the Maple Leafs, the Blue Jays, the Raptors, NFL football and soccer.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
I have always been passionate about helping the community. One of my proudest accomplishments occurred during a sales tax recovery audit of a local charity that provides individuals in need with job counseling and assistance finding employment. I was able to help this organization recover more than $240,000 in Employer Health Tax that was overpaid in error. This money funded their operations for another two years, helping hundreds of people in need find work.
What advice would you give someone starting a career in your field?
Indirect tax is a complex and specialized field. For someone wanting to start out in this area, having a basic understanding of tax language would be very helpful, as the language used can be challenging to understand. Try to gain valuable experience by interning with an established professional.
What are the qualities that make Baker Tilly Windsor unique?
Baker Tilly Windsor is unique because it blends all the services of a Big Four firm with a small-town attitude that allows all the staff – whether working in the office or not – to feel as though they are part of a close-knit family. Baker Tilly Windsor invites all staff members to be involved in making key strategic decisions for the firm.
How would you describe your contribution to Baker Tilly Windsor?
I have been able to bring knowledge, drive, experience and a lightheartedness to the firm, which has helped grow and transform the Indirect Tax practice.
If you weren’t in your current job, what profession would you pursue?
As the people at Baker Tilly Windsor will tell you, I am not one to be a wallflower. I always speak up and voice my opinions. As a result, I always believed I could have been a successful lawyer, arguing in front of a judge on behalf of my clients and their rights.
What does “Now, for tomorrow” (Baker Tilly’s mantra) mean to you?
“Now, for tomorrow” means that we aim to be proactive on behalf of clients, taking bold steps to ensure their needs are taken care of, not just for today but in the future as well.
What does the future hold for you and your profession?
Indirect tax has always suffered from a bit of an identity crisis with many seeing it as less important than other taxes – personal and corporate, for example. But with the rise of e-commerce and the sheer volume of transactions processed by businesses – not just in Canada, but around the world – there is a heightened need for skilled indirect tax professionals. Their advice and direction are key to the success of any business. In fact, we are seeing business leaders start to realize that failing to address indirect tax issues can amount to a very large and costly problem.