Office Profiles

BARRIE

Location: Located on the beautiful shores of Kempenfelt Bay, the Barrie office is close to a variety of year-round activities. It is considered “the gateway to the north.” Just a short drive south to Toronto or north to Cottage Country, Barrie is the perfect combination of city and country life. It has been recognized as one of Canada’s fastest growing cities for the last five years.

Culture: Our office has a diverse staff complement, each of them offering special skills to our team. We have flexible work hours, encourage personal growth within the firm and have beautiful, modern facilities. We participate in numerous events supporting local charities, as well as provide scholarships to local high schools.

Community: Barrie is host to several festivals and community events year-round. Our office has been a proud sponsor of many of these events each year. As the largest accounting office between Toronto and the North, our 60-person team will provide you with the same professional challenges you would find working in many of the major Ontario cities. Barrie has always been a coveted location for the professional wishing for the perfect combination of work and play.

Personnel:

• 6 Partners
• 3 Senior Managers
• 8 Managers
• 43 Staff

Interesting Fact: On December 29, the Olympic Spirit will pass through Barrie as part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

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BRANDON

Location: Brandon, Manitoba is the second largest city in Manitoba, with a population of 43,000 people and a trading area of 180,000 people. Brandon has many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, as well as a thriving arts and cultural community. It is home to Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College.

Culture: The social committee is kept busy planning the after tax season party, baby showers, a golfing afternoon for staff, and Christmas events. BDO also sponsors a number of business mixers and Brandon University’s Students’ Union’s Rock the Block concert.

Community: For many years, we have participated annually in the Bowl for Kids Sake event for Big Brothers and Sisters. More recently, we began working with the Drive Away Hunger campaign in 2008 and the Christmas Tree Auction for Kids, for which proceeds last year went to the United Way Tools for Schools program. Members of our team serve, or have served, on community boards such as the United Way, Crime Stoppers, Rotary, Toastmasters, etc. BDO is also a major sponsor of The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, supporting the ‘Through the Farm Gate’ exhibit.

Interesting office facts: We moved to our present location in downtown Brandon at 148-10th Street in October 2007. The building was constructed in 1904 and our renovation design maintained the original brick walls and high tin ceiling. There are murals depicting life in Brandon in the early 1900s throughout the office, as well as beautiful reclaimed hardwood floors.

Personnel:

• 4 partners
• 2 managers
• 20 staff

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CALGARY

Location: Calgary is known to many as the Heart of the New West & the Home of the Calgary Stampede. One of the best Canadian cities to live and work in, with endless green space, lush golf courses, and vast opportunities in the oil and gas sector, it neighbours only a short distance from the Rocky Mountains.

Culture: Our office is very active in the Annual Calgary Corporate Challenge, participating in activities like bowling, softball, volleyball, the big bike and much more. Our active social committee hosts various events such as Family Fun Day at Calaway Park, Stampede BBQ & Pancake Breakfast, an annual golf tournament, and monthly in-office socials & birthday celebrations.

Community: BDO Calgary is a devoted member of the community, holding special BDO days to benefit various neighbourhoods in the area. Every month we do a jeans day fundraiser, where we raise money for the Cancer Society as well as the Red Cross earthquake relief fund for China.

Interesting Office Fact: Our Calgary office is situated in the midst of many beautiful panoramic views. We have a breath taking view of the Rocky Mountains.

Personnel:

• 7 Partners
• 13 Senior Mgrs & Mgrs

Staff Stars:

• Danielle Pohn, Accounting Technician, is spending three hours in the oncology ward at the Calgary Children's Hospital beginning July 4th
• Patrick Kramer, Office Managing Partner, completed his first full marathon in Vancouver this past May.
• Marilyn Kuntz, Partner, has recently been elected to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta's governing Council.
• First time UFE writers - 100% successful - 4 years and counting

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CAMBRIDGE

Location: Our Cambridge office recently moved our headquarters to a brand new state of the art office building located on Shearson Crescent overlooking a beautiful pond!  Cambridge is one of the fastest growing and strongest economic areas in Canada. With our breathtaking bridges, churches and many historic stone buildings, Cambridge is a charming, cultural, cheery place to be.

Culture: Accompanying our cousin, the BDO Kitchener office on their social committee outings, we participate in many activities throughout the year.  Our energetic staff participate in many community sports and activities as well, including hockey, golf, curling, bowling, beach volleyball and belly dance.  

Community: BDO Cambridge gives back to the community in many ways. Jim Harper, Managing Partner, is Chair of the Cambridge and North Dumfries Community Foundation.  Don Schilling, CA CFP is a member of the Galt Country Club, serving on various curling committees and is also the Treasurer of the Home Hardware  Bonspiel Committee.  Darlene Sigel, CGA, is a member of the Parent Council for Mons. Doyle Secondary School.  Darlene also serves on the Board of Directors for the YWCA, helping the women in our community in many ways.  We are proud as an office to raise money daily for the Alzheimer’s Society of Cambridge through the sale of pop and juice in the office.

Interesting Office Fact: Since becoming a BDO office three years ago, the Cambridge office has doubled their growth!

Personnel:

• 1 partner
• 1 manager
• 6 support staff

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CRANBROOK

Location: Our office is located in the downtown core of Cranbrook, right across from City Hall.  Cranbrook is the largest city in south eastern British Columbia nestled in the Canadian Rockies, where we enjoy the highest sunshine hours in Canada.  The scenery is breathtaking with jagged peaks, meandering rivers, lakes and miles of sandy beaches throughout our area.  We have historic Fort Steele at our doorstep and you can spend the day skiing, golfing, hiking, camping or shopping at big box stores and quaint little boutiques.

Culture: The Cranbrook office has a laid-back atmosphere with work-hard ethics.  Our work/life balance is hard to beat.  We are dedicated to the success of our students and have a strong network of recent UFE graduates eager and willing to help.  We have golf parties, barbeques, Spa Days, tobogganing parties and even white-water rafting.  Our tax parties have the option of golf at championship courses or go to a spa with dinner for everyone afterwards.  We hold our annual Christmas party at various locations throughout the City. 

Community: BDO is an active supporter of our community.  We sponsor several local charities and we are proud supporters of the Kootenay ICE, a WHL member, which has a tremendous economic impact on our community.  We also support the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, our local live theatre, Symphony of the Kootenays and the Cranbrook and District Art Council with regular attendance at events as representatives of our firm.  We support many local charities with funds collected on Jean Days.

Interesting Office Fact: Within five minutes of our office you can be at one of several community facilities including a community college, 14 public schools, a Regional Hospital, 16 parks, golf courses, a curling rink, performing arts theatre, a cineplex theatre, library, Rec Plex complex containing a swimming pool, water slide and arena and the internationally renowned Canadian Museum of Rail Travel.  The Casino of the Rockies is ten minutes away and world-class skiing is just twenty minutes further down the road.  Share your morning commute with the deer, the elk and the occasional vehicle or bicycle commuter in a community where rush-hour does not exist.

Personnel:

• 3 Partners
• 1 Senior Manager
• 3 Managers
• 1 Senior Consultant
• 19 staff

Staff Star: Everyone in our office is a star.  At BDO Cranbrook, we are very team-oriented and the success of the office is a result of the contributions of the entire office.

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EDMONTON

Location: Our newly renovated office is located in Edmonton; also known as the heartland of hockey and the Festival City. Whether it’s the Edmonton Oilers or Edmonton Eskimos, the list of sports we love is long. Our City is home to the Canadian Finals Rodeo and is well known for its thriving music and art community.

Culture: As Lance Clark, one of our partners likes to put it, “BDO Edmonton does things fast!”  Whether it’s to come together to meet deadlines or the mad rush to our lunchroom on pizza day, we do it right!

Our Social Committee stays very busy, they make sure that there is always something interesting going on to bring us together. We enjoy participating in the Annual Corporate Challenge and our BDO Edmonton golf tournament. We look forward to our yearly holiday gatherings, where we can all come together and celebrate another great year here at BDO Edmonton.

Community: BDO Edmonton takes great pride in supporting our community. We helped collect over 650lbs. of food for the “Drive Away Hunger” campaign” and have raised over $11,000 for the 2008 Alberta Capital Region United Way campaign.

The Edmonton Office spearheaded and participated in the first annual United Way “Accounting Week of Caring”. Over 30 Partners and staff members spent a lunch hour serving food to the less fortunate and helping out at the Edmonton food bank.

Interesting Office Fact: Our Edmonton office boasts handcrafted aluminum blocks. An engine block was melted down to create the stamps used to form these amazing works of art.  You can see them on the front exterior of our building, in some of our boardrooms and along the wall of our atrium.

Personnel:

• 12 Partners
• 10 Senior Mgr. & Mgr.
• Our office has over 70 staff members in total.

Staff Star:

• Michel Audy, Partner, has been a Scout Leader for 23 years. Camping, backpacking in the Rockies, hiking, caving and sea kayaking, are only a few of the activities his Scouts and Venturers have enjoyed. Michel looks forward to the day his grandson is old enough to be in Beavers.
• Colin Brecht, Manager, is a former member of the Canadian Professional Golfers Association. He is the 2007 Men’s Club Champion at Blackhawk Golf Club.
• Stephanie Lee, Accounting Technician, is only one of our many staff members who participated in CIBC’s run for Cancer in October 2008. Stephanie’s team collectively raised over $2,000.

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GUELPH

Location: The city of Guelph is a vibrant community of over 100,000 people situated in the heart of southern Ontario, just 100km west of Toronto. With one of the premier research universities, and a diverse variety of manufacturing, service, and high technology enterprises, it's also one of the fastest growing economic regions in Canada.

Culture: Our office is very active with many staff participating in Golf Tournaments for local charities. We have challenges such as the Walk the Bruce Trail and local pick-up games of baseball with other BDO offices in the region. Our active social committee ensures that all staff enjoys such events as our annual staff Golf tournament, potluck luncheons, outings to the local Storm games and other celebrations.

Community: BDO Guelph is a devoted member of the community, sponsoring and attending to many events in the area, such as the Rotary Rib Fest and Canada Duck Races, Habitant for Humanity  and both the St. Joseph’s and the Guelph General Hospital Foundations.  

Personnel:

• 3 Partners
• 5 Senior Mgrs & Mgrs

Staff Star:

• First time UFE writers - 100% successful - 4 years and counting
• 2007 UFE writer Shawn Vogel, CA was one of the 2007 Ontario Medal Award winners

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HALIFAX

Location: Our Halifax FRS office is located in downtown Halifax, in the centre of the business and entertainment districts. It is just steps away from the busy Halifax Harbor and some of the best seafood on the east coast.

Our Sydney FRS office is located in the business district of Sydney, on beautiful Cape Breton Island. It's a few blocks from the waterfront and boasts a promenade overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Culture: The Halifax and Sydney FRS office staff enjoys the annual all-day event at the OMP's cottage on the Northumberland shore, taking part in swimming, boating, and eating BBQ. Staff attended their first office curling event this past winter followed by a delicious meal at the OMP's home. Other staff social events include an annual Seasonal Dinner at a local up-scale restaurant, and pizza Fridays and "girls' night out" which includes a great meal and/or movie."

Community: The partners are very involved in the profession and the community. Paul Goodman has been reappointed to the Board of the Nova Scotia Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals. Recently, he accepted an appointment to the Board of Governors of the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design and will be Treasurer, Executive, and Chair of Committees. Mark Rosen continues on the Board of the QEII Foundation and is chair of the Jerry Seinfeld Charity Night. He is Chair of the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals CRA Liaison Committee.

Interesting Office Fact: On July 1, 2008, we will be celebrating our 1 year anniversary since our Halifax and Sydney offices merged with BDO.

Personnel:

• 2 Partners: Paul Goodman, FCA, FCIRP, FIIC - OMP
                        Mark Rosen, LLB, FCIRP
• 2 Sr. Mgrs: Bruce MacLeod
                        Mike Connor, CIRP (Sydney)

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HUNTSVILLE

Location: Our office is located in downtown Huntsville, just steps away from the historic Swing Bridge. It is a vibrant, welcoming community nestled in the heart of “cottage country” and also known as “the gateway to Algonquin Park.” Surrounded by beautiful lakes, rivers, championship golf courses, and vast forests, Huntsville has endless opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast, as well as a thriving arts community, great shopping, upscale accommodations, and a variety of restaurants to suit all tastes.

Culture: Our social committee is kept busy throughout the year planning events for our staff, such as bowling nights, dinners, summer BBQs and the annual Christmas party! At last summer’s barbecue, we had a great time when an instructor was brought in to teach the brave souls how to water-ski and wakeboard!

Community: Our office proudly sponsors many local sports teams and community events, in addition to donating to an annual high school scholarship program. Several staff members are involved in Rotary and other local committees. We give our time and money generously each year to events like the Terry Fox Run and the Canadian Cancer Society Daphodil Sale.

Interesting Huntsville Facts: Exciting times lie ahead for Huntsville. First, in December 2009 we will be gathering to watch as the Olympic Torch passes through our town on its way to Vancouver. Then, all eyes will be focused on our little town when it hosts the G8 Summit in June 2010, bringing together the leaders of the world’s most powerful nations to discuss global issues.

Interesting Office Facts: Now in our third location in Huntsville, we are happy to announce that the office has just completed extensive interior renovations. We have received tremendous compliments from our clients on the new warm and inviting décor and are personally very proud of the results.

Personnel:

• 1 Partner,
• 1 Senior Manager,
• 4 Managers,
• 10 Staff

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KELOWNA

Location: The Kelowna office is in the heart of one of the most beautiful small cities to live in. We are in the hub of the business district, within walking distance to most amenities. With ski hills, golf courses, wineries, lakes and hiking trails, Kelowna embraces all four seasons.

Culture: In between the goals and deadlines, our office keeps very busy with work and play.  Our social committee keeps the office occupied with dress down days, wine & cheese socials, beverage & pizza nights, billiard tournaments, not to mention our annual end of Tax season party, Christmas party and summer family BBQ.  Our “dreaming of Sundae” treats during Tax season helps to get us through one of the busiest seasons.

Community: Every summer, our office has a charity bbq to raise funds for our fur-faced friends at the SPCA and in the fall we enter into the local Paws for a Cause walk.  We “bowl for the kids” in March for the Big Brothers & Big Sisters.  We purchase daffodils for the Canadian Cancer Society and buttons for the BC Children’s Hospital fundraiser. We “adopt” 4 families at Christmas for the Salvation Army preparing hampers containing food and toys.  We also donate a “good news bear” to the local TV station in support of the local food bank.

Interesting Office Fact: In May, 2008, a new 5-lane floating bridge was built over the Okanagan Lake replacing the 3-lane bridge that was Canada’s first floating bridge.  There has been a lot of discussion about what to do with the old bridge.  Consensus says that the city of Kelowna should sink the pontoons from the old bridge to make a new home for Ogopogo - our very own lake monster.

Personnel:

• 5 Partners
• 4 Senior Manager
• 8 Managers

Staff Star: Henry Ford said:  “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success”.  It is the contributions of the whole team that make the Kelowna office a success.

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KENORA

Kenora is the second largest city in Northwestern Ontario. Located on the TransCanada Highway, it is two hours east of Winnipeg, Manitoba on the most northern shore of Lake of the Woods. The vibrant community has a year-round population of 20,000 that swells to approximately 30,000 in the summer.

Known as the “eventful city,” Kenora offers events like Canada  Day celebrations, Harbourfest, The Kenora Bass International Tournament, and The Harbourfront Concert Series, which features open air musical performances. Other outdoor summer activities include swimming, boating, fishing and walking trails, while winter sports include hockey, curling, downhill and cross country skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling.

Interesting facts:

• The Kenora hockey team, the Thistles, won the Stanley Cup in January 1907
• Kenora has 21 historical murals depicting important aspects of the city’s history
• Lake of the Woods has 14,000 islands and stretches all the way down to the U.S. border
  

BDO Kenora: We are one of two national accounting firms in Kenora. Our team provides accounting, assurance and tax services to a variety of owner-managed businesses and non-profit enterprises in the local and surrounding areas.

The office overlooks the blue waters of beautiful Lake of the Woods and has a great view for the best sunrises and sunsets. We are within walking distance of downtown Kenora and only a few minutes’ drive to any retailers in the area.

Personnel:

• 4 partners
• 3 senior managers/managers
• 10 accounting technicians
• 4 administration staff

BDO Kenora is becoming increasingly more involved in the community by participating in the Annual Dragon Boat Races, the Festival of Trees event, the BDO Drive Away Hunger campaign, and supports many other local charity functions.

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KITCHENER

Location: Our Kitchener office occupies a spacious office in an eleven story building in downtown Kitchener.  The twin cities of Kitchener-Waterloo are home to Oktoberfest, the second largest Bavarian festival in the world and lay in the heart of “Canada’s Technology Triangle”.  Known for two top-notch universities, University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, as well as Conestoga College, our region is a mecca of education, culture and fun.

Culture: At BDO Kitchener, our staff participate in many events throughout the year.  Our baseball team plays weekly against other company teams and culminates in a highly anticipated weekend tournament in August.  Curling is an annual event.  Our social committee organizes many activities including the summer family picnic, the annual Christmas party, the UFE party, the end of season tax bash and after work get-togethers at a local watering hole. The recent “Rice Krispy Challenge” is an example of our imaginative and high-spirited staff.  Our infamous lunchroom is always awash in laughter!   

Community: We outdid ourselves again this year, donating over $23,000 to United Way in our annual campaign.  Our partners and managers are very involved in the community. Several of our partners are directly involved in the Centre for Family Business.  Jim Harper, our OMP, was founding president of the Chamber of Commerce of Kitchener-Waterloo and past President of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.  Tim Sothern, another partner, was named Volunteer of the Year 2007 by the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.  We have several Rotarians and many staff involved in Minor Hockey and other sports.

Interesting Office Fact: First time UFE writers in Kitchener have been 100% successful, 6 years and counting.

Personnel:

• 6 Partners
• 8 Senior Mgrs & Mgrs
• 19 support staff

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MONTREAL

Location: Our Montreal office is located in one of the most prestigious buildings in the heart of downtown Montreal.

Culture: Throughout the year, our social committee organizes fun activities like rafting day, how-to-make-sushi night, summer activity day, 5to7, the annual Christmas party, go-karting and many more. In addition, every Friday everyone is invited to go out "unofficially" for lunch.

Community: BDO Montreal gives back to the community in many ways. Community fundraisers that we take part in range from research for Juvenile Diabetes, finding a cure for breast cancer, and sizeable donations to Montreal's hospitals. We also participate in activities organized by CURE (jeans days, etc.), the SunYouth Association (Christmas baskets) and the Association of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Canada.

Interesting Office Fact: Our office is located at the prestigious 1000 de la Gauchetière, in the city's downtown core. Reaching the maximum height approved by the city (205 m, 51 floors), it is the highest building in the province of Quebec (about the size of Mount Royal). Not only are we surrounded by luxurious shopping centers and restaurants, we also boast a premiere skating rink on the main floor!

Personnel:

• 18 Partners
• 33 Senior Mgrs & Mgrs

Staff Stars: Joëlle Savage, a successful UFE writer in 2007, who now specializes in tax, is probably one of the most professionally engaged seniors in our Montreal office. If you are a young professional in the Montreal business world, chances are you will connect with Joelle almost immediately. A member of the "Jeune Chambre de Commerce de Montréal", of the Club Union (Young professional association), and a Toastmaster, she participates in every cocktail or business related activity she can. She proudly represents BDO at business development events, universities and OCAQ events. She is also a UFE coach and recently started training to participate in the 2008 Marathon Oasis de Montréal!

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OTTAWA

Location: Our 5 core Ottawa area offices, Embrun, Rockland, Alexandria, Manotick and Ottawa are located in the Eastern Ontario part of the Ontario Lakeland Region, between the Ottawa and St-Lawrence Rivers. We also have satellite offices in Cornwall and Alfred.

Culture: Our Social committee, which is represented by a member of our 5 offices, is busy organizing team activities throughout the year. Our most popular event is our BDO Baseball Classic. It’s a baseball tournament where 4 teams compete during 9 innings of baseball to see who wins the bragging rights for the rest of the year. All games and challenges provide opportunities to make friends within the firm.

Community: Our BDO team is extremely proud to be involved with many Not-for-Profit organizations and local charities. We also play a major role in the new Canadian International Hockey Academy (a private hockey boarding school in Rockland) that officially opened in September 2011. Furthermore, we are dedicated to support the Prostate Cancer (Movember), Breast Cancer Society, The Relay for Life, United Way, Canadian Blood Services and other local charities.

Interesting Office Fact: The beauty of our region is that you can work/live in two completely different types of setting. You can hit the shops or restaurants of the busy ByWard Market Square or you can take a drive on our charming country roads to reconnect with nature.

Personnel:

• 15 Partners
• 100 Professional/Administration staff

Staff Star: We succeed as a Team.

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OWEN SOUND

Location: Our office is situated in the heart of Grey-Bruce region and is minutes from the Bruce Trail.   There are plenty of things to do in Owen Sound including swimming, boating, fishing and sightseeing.  The city offers excellent dining, award winning Festivals, theatre and numerous other activities.

Culture: We pride ourselves on providing high quality services to people experiencing financial difficulties.

Community: Our office supports the community through sponsorships of local art and recreation organizations.  Our people are involved in a variety of organizations as directors, sport team managers, customers, and participants.

Staff Mix: 1 Senior Vice-President, 1 Assistant Vice-President, 1 Consultant and 5 Administrative staff make this a busy and interesting place.

Staff Activities: We join in with the Owen Sound Assurance office for many activities.  We celebrate our own special achievements as a group.

Staff Star: Mike Wright, a former staff member was a gold medalist in the National Insolvency Examination in 2006.  He has moved on to take over his own BDO FRS office in Kelowna.

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PENTICTON

Location: Penticton "A place to stay forever" - surrounded by mountain slopes, dramatic cliffs, and bordered by two pristine lakes, Penticton is a natural beauty. For the active individual Penticton offers year round sports including golfing, skiing, climbing, boating, fishing, and hiking. For those who are more ambitious, many locals annually train for the Ironman Canada Triathlon. If sitting back and watching life with an exceptional wine is more your style then you have found nirvana. Penticton is handy to more than 40 local wineries that welcome you for tours and tasting.

Culture: The Penticton office staff is much like the community of Penticton, laid back and diverse. Our staff and partners offer a friendly atmosphere where quality of life is supported. Lunch time BBQ's and a good dose of humour keep the staff on their toes and smiles on their faces.

Community: Jonathan (Tug) McGraw is the head coach of the local high school football team the "Pen Hi Lakers" as well as an avid skier/snowboarder. The Penticton office supports the local Alzheimer "Walk for Memories" and has participated in the BC Children's Jeans Day and Share the Spirit (A Christmas gift giving event). In the summer of 2008, BDO CanadaLLP was the title sponsor of the Ironman Canada Triathlon volunteer appreciation dinner.

Interesting Office Fact: The Penticton Office features a man made walkway and channel feature along the back of our building. During spawning season, the channel fills with Kokanee Salmon - the site is spectacular.

Personnel:

• 3 Partners: David T. Braumberger; Jonathan W. McGraw; Mike Boven
• 9 Staff

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RED DEER

Location: Centrally located between the two major cities of Calgary and Edmonton, the Red Deer corridor is quickly becoming “Canada’s Economic Capital” with its growing economy and competitive advantage.  The growing manufacturing industry, strong retail and wholesale industry, agriculture, tourism, oil and petrochemical industries help ensure a diversified economy.  With our first class health and education facilities, abundant amenities and beautiful parks and trail system, Red Deer is a wonderful place to live or visit.

Culture: A very team-oriented office, we always come together to ensure client needs are met.  In the same manner we also get together to break from the day-to-day routine and enjoy some good company and have a few laughs.  Every July we host a Westerner Days pancake breakfast where all firm family and friends are invited.  Our Fall social event also promises to be entertaining featuring staff golf tournaments, bowling, baseball and even poker.  From our monthly Friday social nights to our famous tax parties, the Red Deer office knows how to have a good time.

Community: We’re proud to support a number of community organizations.  Over the years we’ve collected food and supplies for the local food bank and women’s shelter; held office fundraising events in support of the United Way and the Relay for Life, and as an office, financially supported various school and sporting activities.

Interesting Office Fact: Located in the heart of downtown Red Deer along the historic Alexander Way, we are within walking distance to many amenities, including multiple shops and restaurants as well as the Red Deer Public Library, City Hall Park and the Red Deer & District Museum.

Personnel:

• 11 Partners
• 2 Senior Managers
• 6 Managers
• 52 Staff

Staff Star: As everyone in our office plays an important role in our success, each individual is a viewed as a star!

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SALMON ARM

Location: The Salmon Arm office is located just off the Trans Canada Highway. Salmon Arm is situated at the most southern point of the Shuswap Lake and has a population of over 16,000. It offers a diverse mixture of forestry, agriculture, tourism, commerce and manufacturing. Salmon Arm also offers amenities that are normally associated with much larger population centres such as the twin-sheet ice arena, community centre, extensive outdoor sports facilities, theatres, activity centres and outstanding educational and health facilities.

Culture: The Salmon Arm office works hard to serve their clients, but they also take time out to play. We have games afternoons, in-office social activities for birthdays and special occasions. In early fall, we might have a family day go-karting or it might be enjoying the Shuswap Fall Celebration at Haney Park. In early winter, we enjoy an afternoon of curling followed by a catered dinner. We have an end-of-tax season party and we enjoy a Christmas party or sometimes a January blues party. We also make sure that there are family events so everyone can enjoy their off time together.

Community: Our Partners and Staff are very community-minded. We participate in such events as Relay for Life, BC Children’s Hospital Jean’s Day and Drive-away Hunger. Every Christmas, we support a local organization such as the Safe House, Food Bank and Second Harvest. We have a presence at many of our local charities and organization. In 2009, our Relay for Life team raised over $18,000 at this event.

Interesting Office Fact: The Salmon Arm office is situated with the breath-taking views of the Shuswap Lake on one side of the office and McGuire Lake located on the other side of the office. We are within walking distance of the downtown core which features unique small businesses. We are just a few blocks away from the wharf.

Personnel:

• 3 Partners
• 1 Senior Manager and 2 Managers
• 15 Staff

Staff Star: The Salmon Arm office works as a team and the success of the office is as a result of everyone’s efforts.

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TORONTO

Location: Located in the centre of the bustling financial district, the Toronto Centre office is within walking distance to major landmarks such as the Fairmont Royal York, the Eaton Centre, Brookfield Place (BCE Place) and Union Station. The office also provides spectacular views of the Rogers Centre, CN Tower and Lake Ontario.

Culture: The Toronto Centre office operates on a "work hard, play hard" mentality. We host a variety of social functions like patio lunches, golf days, Nintendo Wii tournaments, mid-season and end of tax season parties, UFE results celebration party, an evening at the race track and an annual holiday gift exchange. Summer months can include walks down to Harbourfront Centre to have lunch by the lake, or simply watch the boats pass by. The office is also involved in sporting activities like baseball, hockey and volleyball, to name a few.

Community: BDO Toronto works very closely with various charitable projects. Every year the office organizes a fundraising event in support of the CURE Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society and United Way. Examples of fundraising activities include purchasing daffodils - the Canadian Cancer Society's symbol of hope - pizza lunches, raffles, and denim Fridays. Toronto centre also supports CHUM Christmas Wish, where the office donates new toys to children in need.

Interesting Office Fact: BDO Toronto has been a tenant of the Royal Bank Plaza building since it was first built in the 1970's. Each of the windows in the building are covered with a layer of 24 karat gold.

Personnel:

• 14 Partners
• 18 Sr. Mgrs & Mgrs

Staff Star: Sunny Cheung has been an extremely active participant in various charity-related projects. In 2007 Sunny began a volunteer project to study current educational problems in various village schools in Guangning, China. He not only inspected schools to identify issues, but also designed workshops and proposed recommendations to school principals and government officials. In addition to his charity work, Sunny was also the Principal bassoonist in the North Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band.

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VANCOUVER

Location: Our two Vancouver offices are located in the heart of downtown, both within walking distance of Pacific Centre Mall, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Vancouver Public Library, and Robson Street, with access to all modes of public transportation.

Culture: At BDO Canada, 'bored' is not a word that describes our active and fun loving staff. A number of activities are organized and promoted throughout the year and all staff members are encouraged to participate. Some activities include squash, Ultimate Frisbee, softball, soccer, and beach volleyball. Other social activities and events include the annual End of Busy Season Party, the Summer Social, the Halloween Party and the Holiday Party. Our energetic and vibrant group works hard and plays hard. The best way to find out what it's really like to work in our offices is to be a part of our team. Memorable experiences await you...

Community: BDO Canada LLP is an active supporter of non-profit organizations and community events nationwide. In Vancouver, we support a number of charitable organizations including the United Way, the Kids Up Front Foundation, the BC Lions Society and more. We also give back in smaller ways. Every Friday is "Jeans Day" and staff member contribute $2 if they choose to wear jeans. They also complete a ballot to vote for a charity of their choice and at the end of the month a draw takes place to see which charity receives the month's donations.

Interesting Office Fact: Cathedral Place is home to our main Vancouver office and is truly an engineering feat. The $100 million dollar post-modern building incorporates modern design concepts and historical embellishments. It is built from 20,000 pieces of prized Kansas limestone that was polished, cut to shape, numbered, and hoisted by crane to fit together like a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Personnel:

• 14 Partners
• 33 Sr. Mgrs & Mgrs

Staff Stars: Dale Harper, one of BDO Vancouver's 14 partners, is someone who embodies the work hard, play hard mentality. Outside of the office, he enjoys down-hill mountain biking, snowboarding, and surfing. He participates in the annual GearJammer race, which takes 500 mountain bikers 45 km through Squamish, and has finished in the top 10 in his category! His favorite outdoor ventures include a trip to Everest base camp and a 5 week wilderness canoe trip in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, white water rafting, mountain climbing and relaxing. How does he have the time and energy to balance a busy work schedule and a fun personal life? He recommends being disciplined with time management, and remaining focused during work hours so that you have more free time to explore all that life has to offer.

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WALKERTON

Location: Our office first opened in 1956 and is located in Walkerton adjacent to the Town Hall.  The town settled on the shores of the Saugeen River (see photo taken from main street) midway between the ski hills of Bluemoutain and the sandy beaches of Lake Huron. 

Culture: The staff committee keeps life at the office on the lighter side of things.  Annual events include family bowling night, office golf day, end of tax season party, and the Christmas party.  Special events include staff barbeques, birthday treats, and tax season treats.   

Community: As the capital of Bruce County, Walkerton is the home of many local government, charitable, and non-profit organizations.  We are fortunate to have both public and separate secondary and elementary schools in Walkerton.  Our town hospital boasts to have the first rural CT scanner.  Travel outside the town in any direction and enter the heart of agriculture.  We serve many individual farmers, family farm corporations, and large agri-business clients.  A vibrant downtown allows us to serve many owner-manager personal and corporate clients. Our partners and staff are encouraged to serve with and volunteer for our local organizations.

Interesting Office Fact:

• 3 of 4 current office partners started in this office out of high school,
• 4 additional partners in our region started as co-op students in this office,
• Proud to have BDO's longest serving staff member across Canada now working in his 47th year with the firm,
• 3 minute drive in any direction of the office would get you out of town, any time of the day, any day of the week.
• Our town is Home of the Walkerton Hawks Junior C hockey team, last season's OHA champs

• 5 partners including home of the regional managing partner,
• 1 senior manager and 1 associate,
• 4 managers, and
• 14 staff including 1 national office IT support staff member.

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WHISTLER

Location: The BDO Whistler office lies in the midst of the best skiing slopes in Canada and is just steps away from the 2010 Olympic Athlete village. It's surrounded by mountain bike trails, glacier fed lakes, numerous golf courses and an abundance of recreational activities all within 20 km.

Culture: The Whistler office is very active and enjoys dressing up on Halloween & St. Patty's day, pizza & treat days, river trail runs, mini golf, white water rafting, ATVing, zip trekking, patio drinks in the village and dining in some of Whistler's finest restaurants. We participate in Jeans Day where we pay to wear jeans and the funds are donated to a local charity. Our end of busy season tax parties are wild and always a good time! We're an extremely active office and can often be found participating in one sport or another.

Community: Last year we donated $5,000 to the Squamish Health Care Foundation towards capital projects such as the hospital expansion and MRI equipment for the corridor. We have sponsored Children's Hospital Jeans Day and Ian Davis for Balding for Cancer.

Interesting Office Fact: We have two animal mascots, adorable dogs Milley & Winston. They are as much a part of the office as the staff. Our office works hard at being environmentally responsible by recycling and participating in an organic composting program.

Personnel:

• 1 Partner: Theresa Walterhouse
• 2 Managers: Kim Huggard & Krista Oster

Staff activities: Our staff at the Whistler office enjoys many world-class sports and outdoor activities like golf, hiking, skiing, boarding, surfing, canoeing, squash, weight-lifting and Ultimate Frisbee.

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WINNIPEG

Location: BDO’s Winnipeg office can be found in the heart of a thriving, energetic downtown. We are within walking distance from the MTS Centre, CanWest Park, fabulous shopping at the Forks Market and the historic Exchange District. Winnipeg is renowned for its vast array of festivals, friendly inhabitants and great proximity to cottage country.

Culture: No doubt about it, we work hard. But when it’s time to play, our energetic, tight-knit staff also knows how to have fun. We have the opportunity to participate in many amazing events, hosted by the partners or our social committee throughout the year: staff luncheons, Tim Horton’s coffee breaks, an end-of-tax-season party, Marks Day Celebration in honour of our UFE candidates, afternoon billiards, bowling and pizza, our annual Easter Egg Hunt, Hot Dog Day at our favourite street-side vendor, the annual Children’s Christmas Party, and the formal Christmas gala.

Community: We are proud to participate in several charitable events year-round. Our milestone event each year is the week-long fundraiser for United Way. Our most recent ‘Totally Rockin’ United Way Campaign’ was a huge success, raising over $30,000. Staff also enthusiastically participated in Farm Credit Canada’s Drive Away Hunger food drive last fall, collecting food items and money for Winnipeg Harvest. Furthermore, our monthly Denim Day – when we donate to a different charitable organization each month – raised over $3,000 in 2008.

Interesting Office Fact: James Doer, Partner, is the brother of Canada’s new ambassador to the United States, Gary Doer.

Personnel:

• 16 Partners
• 11 Senior Managers

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WOODSTOCK

Location: Woodstock, which is known as the Dairy Capital of Canada, lies in the heart of South Western Ontario. Our city of 36,000 people includes tree lined streets, century old homes, abundant parkland and friendly citizens. We are known as The Friendly City and with good reason. Woodstock was the 2005 winner of the international Communities in Bloom competition. Services and recreational activities for children, youth and adults abound.  The community has experienced rapid growth in recent years and is a gateway to Hwy 401 and Hwy 403.  Our office is located in the historical former Armoury building at 94 Graham Street close to downtown.

Culture: At BDO Woodstock we enjoy a relaxed work style with partners accessible to staff and clients. We enjoy several organized and informal social events during the year including golf days, Christmas gatherings, “Secret Pal”, and other social events. Fundraising abounds for staff members with school aged children and anything chocolate is always well received.  

Community: BDO Woodstock is a devoted member of the community. Staff participate in the annual Cancer Society Relay for Life and Salvation Army toy and food drives. Individuals participate in the Woodstock Hospital Foundation as fundraisers and board members, the local theatre as volunteers, and various other sports coaching functions.  Many of our staff volunteer on boards of directors for charities. Several of our staff are active in service clubs such as the Lions Club.

Interesting Office Fact: Our office was built in 1908 and was home to the Oxford Rifles, one of the oldest regiments in Canada.  Our basement file room was once a rifle range and our regional office downstairs is situated on a former bowling alley.  The 3rd floor of our building was once a ballroom dance floor where numerous galas were held.  Our resident ghost – George – is a friendly reminder of the history of our office building.

Personnel:

• 4 Partners
• 6 Senior Managers & Managers
• 18 staff CA’s, students and support staff

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