Five in five: Scott Dupuis
1. How did you get into accounting?
I started as a co-op in university and didn’t look back from there. I could tell it would be a very unique and diverse career. There’s something different every day.
2. How has your role evolved since you joined Baker Tilly?
I joined as a tax partner. I still obviously do a lot of tax work, but I eventually became the managing partner. In this role, I use my strengths as a strategic planner and consider our overall vision, trying to offer services and opportunities that are not normally part of the accountant’s role.
3. What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
It’s probably my recent appointment to chair of Baker Tilly Canada’s board. Getting the top position in a company is pretty resounding. This role wasn’t really on my radar screen, so I was surprised when it happened. It’s one of those things you don’t really think about, but when you get the call, it’s an immediate “yes.”
4. What inspires you at work?
I enjoy seeing other members of our team grow. Obviously, this helps me in my role as managing partner, but it also helps individuals – so it’s a kind of mutual satisfaction, seeing our firm grow and our people grow. I coach or mentor quite a few staff members. In general, my Mondays are dedicated to meeting with all the senior leaders at the firm. On a typical Monday, I’ll have 10 half-hour meetings, checking in with everyone about their personal development, client-related issues and any challenges they need help with.
5. What does the future hold for you and your profession?
In the years ahead, you’re going to see a lot more AI and machine learning, which will reduce a lot of the redundant work we do. It’s going to turn everyone in our profession into advisors, rather than doers. For a lot of staff, that’s a new and uncomfortable development. Clients will get better, more accurate data, and they will look to us to help them remove the emotion from a situation and make sound business decisions. This transition is going to be very difficult for some people, as it’s always hard to teach old dogs new tricks. The Baker Tilly Advantage program deals with this shift, and our firm is actively moving in that direction. For the profession as a whole, there’s still a long way to go. It’s going to be an adjustment period and it’s going to happen fast. A few years from now, things might not look like they look today.
Scott Dupuis
Scott Dupuis