KRESTON GTA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Audit Manager, Public Companies
Akil is a seasoned Senior Audit Manager who has worked in public accounting across multiple geographies for almost 15 years (including Canada, the USA, and the UAE). Akil has lead audit teams on various large US integrated audits during his 10-year tenure with a big 4 audit firm, as well as on various go-public entities and mid-sized companies, across a variety of industries, primarily technology, engineering, construction and healthcare.
Akil earned his FCCA (U.K.) designation in 2011, United States of America CPA designation in 2018 and Canadian CPA, CA designation in 2020.
Akil also earned his Master of Science in Professional Accountancy from University of London (U.K.) in 2018.
Jim graduated from the University of Toronto and completed his CPA, CA designation at KPMG in 1979. He was a partner of McCluggage & Smith, which merged with Kreston GTA in 2010. His clientele includes virtually all commercial and non-profit sectors. A specialty of Jim is in providing assurance and related services to entities in the vehicle financing and leasing industry. Jim has performed audits, reviews and compilations as well as consulting on the nuances of the financial statements provided to industry lenders and their specific requirements.
Jim completed the in-depth tax course and provides a wide range of personal, estate and corporate income tax services. Jim is also a U.S. CPA and provides tax and accounting services to U.S. citizens and companies.
Joanne joined the firm in 2010 through a merger with McCluggage & Smith, where she was a partner. Joanne is a graduate from York University and subsequently earned her CPA, CA designation in 1985. That same year, Joanne joined McCluggage & Smith. During her career, Joanne has worked with a diverse clientele ranging from owner-managed real estate companies to religious charitable organizations. Joanne also provides a wide range of accounting, assurance and tax services and has increasingly been involved in estate tax work.
Joanne currently heads the not-for-profit division of Kreston GTA and is very knowledgeable in accounting guidelines related to religious and other not-for-profit organizations.
Joanne enjoys writing, photography and has recently developed a taste for travel.
Jonathan joined Kreston GTA in 2009. He is currently the partner on many public, private company and not-for-profit organization assurance engagements. Jonathan has a thorough knowledge of Canadian Accounting Standards, Canadian Accounting Standards for Not-For-Profit Organizations and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards.
Jonathan graduated from Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto and obtained his CPA, CA designation in January 2010.
Jonathan is an avid golfer, enjoys playing hockey and volunteers his time with his local parish, St. Norbert's Catholic Church.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Private Companies
Rob graduated from York University in 1978 and earned his CPA, CA designation in 1985. Over the next 25 years he worked in industry at the controllership level for public and private companies primarily in the telecommunications industry.
He returned to public accounting and joined Kreston GTA in 2011. He currently manages all private company engagements, including compilations, accounting and bookkeeping and corporate tax planning.
Spence joined Kreston GTA as a partner in 2004. Spence began his accounting career with a midsize accounting firm, where he gained experience in audit and consulting of Canadian and US public companies, a niche he continues to do a significant amount of work in.
Spence has a unique understanding of start-up and growth stage entities that require a solid strategy and roadmap to scale their business. He routinely services entities from start-up, through their growth phase, to merger or sale. Spence advises at every stage of your business, from funding growth, ensuring efficient, paperless accounting systems, designing of an effective corporate structure, maximizing the use of government grants and tax credits, to delivery of financial information required to grow your business.
Spence earned his BComm in 2001 from Ryerson University, his Canadian CPA, CA designation in 2003 and successfully completed the United States of America CPA exam in 2004. In 2013, Spence received his Certificate of Educational Achievement for completing the IFRS Certificate Program issued from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
During his spare time, Spence is an avid golfer and home cook who enjoys keeping up with culinary trends.
Job Titles:
- Tax Partner
- Treasurer of Opera Canada Publications
Having started his accounting career at a mid-size accounting firm in 2000, Tim joined Kreston GTA in 2007 and became tax partner in 2016. Tim has worked on many diverse projects over his career from auditing small Canadian and U.S. public companies, working with bankruptcy trustees to recovering assets for lenders, and providing tax advice to owner-managed businesses.
Currently, Tim heads the tax department at Kreston GTA. Tim provides tax advice to individuals, owner-managed businesses and has extensive experience with corporate tax planning, corporate reorganizations, estate and succession planning, purchase and sale of businesses, Canadian foreign reporting issues, and trusts. Tim advises a number of corporate and personal clients on cross-border taxation, primarily U.S. and Canadian. Tim advises clients on structures and tax issues related to expanding into the U.S. or Canada.
Tim earned his Bachelor of Commerce with a major in accounting and a minor in finance from Ryerson University in 2000 and his CPA, CA designation in 2003. Tim is working towards becoming certified by Chartered Professional Accountant Canada as an in-depth tax specialist.
In addition, Tim is the Treasurer of Opera Canada Publications, which is a charity that tracks and celebrates the development of opera in Canada and the role of Canadians in opera around the world.