CPA to CEO
Hear how CPA’s become Founders, Partners, and CEOs. Discover how your skills might grow businesses, improve strategy, and meet emerging demands across Vancouver, Canada, and beyond.
All Students Welcome!
BCOM, DAP, MM, MBA, MBAN
💢 Free Tickets - RSVP while supplies last!
https://www.showpass.com/cpa-to-ceo-2023/
Tickets required; none available at the door.
RSVP deadline: December 3rd, 11:59 pm
📍 Location - UBC Sauder, Room 347
🍕 Food and beverage included
Panelists
Our panelists are ex-PwC, KPMG, EY with experience in real-estate, tech, entertainment, manufacturing, retail, wholesale, tax, audit and more. They've attained their CPAs and worked as senior managers. Non-CPA guests are also present to share insights on leadership, teamwork, and growing a successful business.
Mark Bains
CEO and Founder — MJB Technology Solutions
Previously: PwC, KPMG
Mark leads a team of 200+ IT professionals and has over 18 years in the industry with a background as a CPA. He’s leveraged this experience to work with startups, adeptly securing angel and venture capital funding. He actively mentors, advises, and contributes to several emerging company boards, fostering strategic alliances with investors, bankers, and clients. His vision remains focused on creating substantial value and impact within the IT industry.
Darren Prins
Partner (Audit) — Invictus Accounting Group
Previously: Ernst & Young
Darren has expertise in corporate development, capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, financial reporting, auditing, risk management, budgeting, forecasting, and international tax planning. Serving as CFO for TSX, TSX Venture, and NYSE listed companies across diverse sectors, including mining, oil & gas, agriculture, and private equity, Darren has led transformative capital markets initiatives and overseen numerous mergers & acquisitions.
Tia Walsh
Partner (Audit) — Walsh King LLP
Tia Walsh is a Partner at Walsh King LLP, specializing in Assurance, Audit, and Business Advisory Services. Tia has honed her expertise by working with across many industries including manufacturing, entertainment, retail, and more. Known for her holistic, big-picture thinking, Tia combines her roles as a senior financial executive and auditor to understand the broader business implications of financial decisions.
Tia is also active in the community and has served the Contemporary Art Gallery Board of Directors and supported the Cause We Care Foundation since it was founded in 2007.
Ray Arneja
Founder — Nationwide Realty Corp.
With over 20 years of experience as a licensed realtor. Ray orchestrates a dedicated team of 250+ professionals across multiple offices in Surrey, Vancouver, Langley, and Abbotsford, providing comprehensive solutions for both residential and commercial clients.
He contributes to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) Professional Conduct Committee, Board Development Committee, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group, and Commercial Division.
Scott Holst
Partner — Bakertilly
Scott Holst became a partner at Baker Tilly WM LLP in 2022 and is part of the audit and assurance department. Prior to joining the firm in 2016, he spent four years with a national mid-sized firm gaining a wide variety of audit and tax experience.
Scott obtained his designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University.
Mike Chang
Partner (Tax) — Ribeyre Chang Haylock
Mike articled at Ribeyre Chang Haylock and obtained his CA designation in 2008. He has completed all three years of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants in-depth tax program which provides the most comprehensive, practical and relevant income tax training in Canada. Mike also has experience handling First Nations involved in Limited Partnerships, Joint Ventures and Treaty Negotiations. He is the firm’s tax partner since 2014 and has his own clients where he provides compilation, review, audit and tax work.
Adrian Tong
Manager — Crowe Mackay LLP
Adrian has over 5 years of experience in public practice. He provides tax compliance and advisory services to a wide range of corporate and individual clients. Adrian specializes in personal and corporate tax compliance, planning and advisory and has been involved in corporate re-organizations and tax planning strategies with a focus on owner-managed and privately-held businesses.