TRANSITIONSMART - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Farm Management Consulting
Aaron Honess, B.Mgt, is a Partner in MNP's Lethbridge office. As part of MNP's Farm Management team, Aaron focuses on meeting the unique needs of today's farm managers, from assessing how their farm operations are performing to identifying ways they can improve their operations for greater success.
With a background in both finance and agriculture, Aaron works with farmers and ranchers to provide them with the information they need to make profitable business decisions. His experience growing up on a farm combined with his financial background and advisory work at MNP has given him extensive knowledge in strategic planning, performance and financial management, enterprise analysis, feasibility studies, succession planning, debt consolidation and benchmarking.
Aaron has facilitated numerous seminars and presented on topics such as sustainable management practices, understanding your financial statements, farm succession and financial ratios. He has received training in mediation, facilitation and negotiation and has delivered interactive strategic and succession planning sessions to a range of agriculture clients.
Aaron received his Bachelor of Management (Finance) degree from the University of Lethbridge in 1997. Dedicated to his community, he remains involved in his family's farm. He is also committed to staying current on trends within the Ag sector and is an active member of the Tiffin Conference Committee, the Lethbridge College Agriculture Technology Committee, the Canadian Consulting Agrologists and CMC-Canada.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
- Member of the Management Committee
- Member of the Firm
Adel Elassal is the Chief Information Officer.
Adel is a member of the firm's management team and leads the technology group which includes, development, infrastructure, regional IT services and information security.
Adel holds a B. Sc. in Computer Science along with numerous technology certifications such as GSEC, CCNP, CCDP, CCSP, and CEH.
With over 25 years of experience in different industries, namely, financial services, service provider, public sector, retail, oil and gas and construction, Adel brings a wide range of knowledge to ensure delivery of innovative, highly available and secure applications in a streamlined manner to meet the growing needs of the firm.
Job Titles:
- National Leader, Ag Risk Management Resources
Job Titles:
- Regional Managing Partner, BC Advisory
Alan heads up MNP's Advisory Services in B.C., leading a highly skilled team to deliver customized, client-focused solutions in the areas of enterprise risk, corporate finance, corporate recovery, consumer insolvency, valuations, consulting, and forensic and litigation support.
Day to day, Alan is also a practitioner with MNP's National Enterprise Risk Services team. He works extensively with privately held companies, financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and government agencies, leading outsourced internal audit functions and engagements across Canada. His areas of expertise include board governance, financial operations, regulatory compliance, credit risk management, operational and process efficiency reviews, and value-for-money audits.
Alan began his career more than two decades ago in external audit, working for a Big Four firm in his native Ireland and in Bermuda.
Alan earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in corporate finance from Maynooth University, Ireland. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Ireland (FCPA), Chartered Professional Accountant in Canada (CPA), Chartered Internal Auditor, UK and Ireland (CIA), Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA), Certified Internal Control Auditor (CICA), Certified Risk and Internal Control Professional (CRICP), and Certified Procurement and Supply Chain Professional (CPSCP).
In 2019, Alan was recognized by Chartered Professional Accountants British Columbia (CPABC) with an Early Achievement Award, which celebrates members who distinguish themselves early in their CPA career through professional achievement and/or volunteer service.
In 2021, Alan was recognized as one of Business in Vancouver's Top 40 Under 40, which highlights the achievements of B.C.'s young entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals.
Alana is a Partner with MNP in Rimbey and Olds, serving the Central Alberta agricultural and small business communities. A longtime member of the MNP team and a lifelong farmer, Alana is a problem solver who genuinely cares about her clients and their success. She understands the unique needs of the agriculture industry, including crop and beef producers. She is committed to helping business owners and farmers remain competitive and profitable. Alana listens to her clients and works closely with them to find tailored solutions that address their unique needs.
Alana draws on nearly two decades of accounting experience to deliver a wide range of services to help her clients achieve their goals. Her services include tax planning, tax return preparation, financial statement preparation, assurance (Notice to Reader), farm income programs, succession planning, business advice, and consulting solutions.
Alana earned a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) from the University of Alberta in 1999. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2001. Alana is involved in the community as treasurer of the Lacoka Lacrosse Association.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Managing Director With MNP Corporate Finance
Aleem Bandali is a Managing Director with MNP Corporate Finance in Vancouver. Aleem delivers a broad range of services, including assisting clients with divestitures, mergers, acquisitions, raising equity and debt and capital restructuring.
Aleem has worked with clients on transactions ranging between $3 million and $13 billion in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. Actively working with companies in a diverse range of industries, he has extensive experience working with clients in manufacturing, retail, food processing, agriculture, construction, maintenance, transportation, entertainment, hospitality and real estate.
Aleem has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Oregon College of Business, a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the University of Oregon School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) from the University of British Columbia. Aleem has also completed the Mergers and Acquisitions program at Harvard Business School. Involved in his community, Aleem volunteers his time to a number of organizations and is on the alumni UBC Board of Directors, a board member of the BC Paraplegic Foundation, and a member of the fundraising committee for KidSafe.
In October 2015, Aleem was named to Business in Vancouver's Top Forty Under 40, which highlights the achievements of B.C.'s young entrepreneurs, executives and professionals.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Committee
- Senior Vice President, Tax Services
Job Titles:
- Regional Managing Partner
Job Titles:
- Partner, National Credit Union Leader
Job Titles:
- Partner, Assurance & Accounting
Brandy Horn, CPA, CA, CFP, is a Partner with MNP's Airdrie office. She has more than 10 years of experience delivering a wide range of taxation and business advisory solutions to a diverse group of clients, including private companies and high net worth individuals.
Working closely with her clients to develop tax efficient structures, Brandy also delivers tax minimizing strategies and effective tax compliance solutions. By assisting her clients with their corporate and personal tax planning needs, Brandy is able to help them anticipate tax issues over the short term as well as develop longterm strategies to optimize their succession, wills and estate plans.
Brandy prides herself on being receptive to the needs of her clients. As part of an interdisciplinary team at MNP, Brandy delivers a range of solutions that go beyond traditional accounting including business plan development and valuations, due diligence, purchase or sale negotiations and financing.
Prior to earning her Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 2000, Brandy graduated with her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary in 1998. Active in her community, Brandy is a director and volunteer with several organizations in the Crossfield and Airdrie area.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Assurance & Accounting
Job Titles:
- President, MNP Corporate Finance
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Assurance and Accounting
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Assurance and Accounting
Job Titles:
- Assurance and Business Advisory Services
Job Titles:
- General Counsel
- Member of the Management Committee
Job Titles:
- Partner, Regional Tax Leader, Fraser Valley
Job Titles:
- Credit Union Assurance Leader
Job Titles:
- Regional Assurance Partner
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President, British Columbia
David Cyr - Managing Director
Job Titles:
- Partner, International Taxation Services
Job Titles:
- Audit Partner and Assurance Leader, Fraser Valley Region
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President, Prairies & Atlantic Canada
Job Titles:
- Partner, National Leader, Environmental, Social and Governance
Job Titles:
- Regional Managing Partner
Eric Olson, BSAg, PAg, is a Farm Management Consultant working out of MNP's Winnipeg office. Working closely with his clients, Eric helps owners of small and large farm operations make effective business decisions so they can increase the profitability of their farms and enhance their competitive edge.
With more than 28 years working in the agricultural industry, Eric has an unparalleled understanding of local and international market conditions, which he uses to help producers strategically develop their operations. His services include assisting with strategic planning - helping clients identify and take action toward long-term goals - as well as engaging in business planning to set goals for the next one to three years.
Eric uses his extensive client base and in-depth industry knowledge to review clients' operations and compare them to benchmarks. These valuable reviews provide producers with the information they need to grow their operations effectively and efficiently. In 1989, Eric earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba. That same year he was designated a Professional Agrologist.
Job Titles:
- Partner and Vice - President of International Tax Services
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Committee
- Senior Vice President, Private Enterprise
Job Titles:
- Business Advisor, Enterprise Risk Services
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President, Ontario Outside of the GTA
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Executive Committee
Jason Tuffs is the Chief Executive Officer of MNP LLP. As CEO, Jason is responsible for enacting MNP's strategic vision by anticipating market opportunities and trends, and encouraging overall growth. He also leads fostering a culture of operational efficiency and inspiring team members to continue to deliver the thought-leading solutions and exceptional client experiences the firm is known for.
An innovative leader who builds on the firm's entrepreneurial foundation, Jason brings two decades of experience in identifying and capitalizing on business opportunities. Since becoming CEO in 2015, and Chairman and CEO in 2017, Jason has seen MNP become a truly national firm, with offices from coast to coast, while maintaining a deep sense of community and grassroots connection.
Prior to his role as Chairman and CEO, Jason held several senior level positions with MNP, including National Leader of Public Companies, Regional Managing Partner, Calgary and Executive Vice President, B.C. Joining MNP in 2004, Jason was appointed to the Firm's Board of Directors in 2011 and has served since then as a member of MNP's Policy Board.
Born in Alberta, Jason's career has taken him from Edmonton and Calgary to the Cayman Islands. He has a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Alberta and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. Jason lives in Calgary, Alberta, with his wife and two children. He gives back to the community by participating in mentorship programs which assist individuals pursuing leadership and entrepreneurial ventures as well as volunteering with organizations related to his children's interests.
Job Titles:
- Regional Managing Partner
- Auditeur
Jean-François Leblanc, CPA, is Regional Managing Partner for the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Bas St-Laurent and Abitibi-Témiscamingue regions. He provides strategic direction for these regions and leads the team of professionals providing services to clients.
Jean-François is a proactive and available Business Advisor with 32 years of experience delivering assurance and advisory services to private and public companies in all sectors.
As a Business Advisor to SMEs of all sizes, he offers his clients various strategic support services such as for business sales and acquisitions, financing, statutory audit and management consulting.
Jean-François is actively involved in regional community initiatives. Among other things, he plays a key role in activities held by the Chambers of Commerce and business groups. He maintains close relationships with financial institutions and other stakeholders with a view to connecting his clients with the right people to ensure the success of their projects.
Job Titles:
- Partner, National China Services Leader
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President, GTA and Quebec
Job Titles:
- Partner, Professional Services
Job Titles:
- Partner, Assurance & Accounting
Job Titles:
- Managing Director, MNP Corporate Finance, and Regional Managing Partner, Financial Advisory Services & Consulting for the Province of Québec
Job Titles:
- Regional Managing Partner, Fraser Valley
Lee Bass, CPA, CA, is MNP's Regional Managing Partner for the Fraser Valley region and the Managing Partner for the International and Indirect tax groups across British Columbia. Based in Abbotsford, Lee leads the firm's offices in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope and Maple Ridge while delivering tax and general business advisory services to a wide variety of small- to medium-size businesses.
For more than 20 years, Lee has delivered taxation advice and planning for the purposes of acquisitions, divestitures, corporate reorganizations, estate plans, shareholder disputes and tax minimization. He has worked closely with clients in various industries, including agriculture and agri-food, manufacturing, credit unions, construction, implement and automobile sales, professionals, real estate developers and wholesalers and retailers.
Formerly MNP's Regional Tax Leader for the Southern Manitoba and Lower Mainland regions, Lee has also worked in the Taxation Services department of an international accounting firm. He has sat on MNP's Private Investor Network Committee since 2006 and has served on the firm's Tax Executive and Partner Selection committees.
Lee is a designated Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) who qualified in 1992. He has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba and completed the Chartered Professional Accountants Canada's (formerly CICA) In-Depth Tax course in 1993. An avid volunteer, Lee has sat on several boards, coached sports at a rep and provincial level and is a member of Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia and the Canadian Tax Foundation.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Committee
- Senior Vice President, Human Capital
Job Titles:
- Corporate Finance
- Managing Director
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Committee
- Partner, Senior Vice President Assurance & National Leader Public Companies
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Committee
- Senior Vice President, Marketing
Job Titles:
- Partner, Assurance Services
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Committee
- Senior Vice President, Finance
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Committee
- National Leader, Digital
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Committee
- Senior Vice President, Agriculture, Director Crop Services
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President, Clients and Services
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Committee
- Senior Vice President, Quality, Risk & Compliance