Category: Canada

FEATURE
Harness Data Analytics for Business Success with Brenda Scott (Ep. 26)

Harness Data Analytics for Business Success with Brenda Scott (Ep. 26)

By |

Join Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley as they chat with Brenda Scott, Senior VP of Data Analytics at Baker Tilly KDN, about transforming raw data into strategic assets. 

Brenda explains the different facets of data advisory, comparing it to the structure of financial advisory, highlighting roles such as data engineers, analysts, scientists, and strategists. She emphasizes that businesses of all sizes and stages can benefit from data advisory, even those just beginning to track and understand their data. Using relatable analogies, Brenda illustrates how well-designed data visualizations allow businesses to monitor key metrics quickly and accurately, facilitating timely and strategic decisions. Her work exemplifies how thoughtful data processes and tools can unlock efficiency, clarity, and growth.

This episode includes discussion surrounding: 

  • Introduction to Brenda Scott and her role in data advisory 
  • Data visualization and its impact on business strategies 
  • Understanding data maturity and getting started with analytics 
  • Designing dashboards for effective business insights 
  • The role of data in succession planning

Connect with Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley: 

Connect with Brenda Scott:

About Our Guest: 

Brenda Scott joined Baker Tilly KDN LLP (BT KDN) as a senior accountant in 2014 after graduating from the University of Waterloo. During her time in this role, she worked primarily on assurance engagements for private enterprises. Brenda holds both a master of Accounting and a Bachelor of Mathematics, specializing in information systems management.

Brenda’s educational background, paired with her analytical mindset, allowed her to become the firm’s champion for all matters data. She pursued a graduate certificate in Data Analytics for Business Decision Making from Durham College and transitioned into the role of data analytics manager in 2019. Continuing to develop her passion for data, Brenda began working in an advisory role as part of BT KDN’s Digital team. In 2022, she became senior vice president, data analytics, providing clients with tailored business intelligence and data visualization solutions.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE
Cybersecurity for Business Owners (Ep. 25)

Cybersecurity for Business Owners (Ep. 25)

By |

How can you secure your business against digital threats? 

Dive into the world of cybersecurity with Frankie Loreto, Sarah Netley, and their special guest, Blair Brown, in this episode of “From the Source.” Blair, who heads the digital services group at Baker Tilly, shares insights into the evolving cyber threat landscape, with a particular focus on small to medium-sized businesses. He discusses how artificial intelligence is being leveraged to create sophisticated phishing attempts and the importance of proactive risk management.

Frankie, Sarah, and Blair discuss: 

  • The rise of phishing and ransomware threats [00:02:30]
  • How AI is used by cybercriminals to imitate voices and target businesses [00:06:25]
  • Common cybersecurity challenges for small to medium-sized businesses [00:07:07]
  • Success stories in enhancing cybersecurity measures and efficiency [00:17:15]

Connect with Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley: 

Connect with Blair Brown:

About Our Guest: 

Blair Brown is an information technology and security professional with more than 30 years of experience providing executive-level consultation and direct operational support to private corporations, financial institutions, and credit unions; manufacturing, production, and distribution utilities; the education sector; law enforcement; and federal, provincial, and municipal governments and agencies. His areas of expertise include governance, risk, and compliance, audit and assurance, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and System and Organization Controls audits, security management, cybersecurity, supply chain security, digital forensics, and physical security.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE
Essential Tax Advice for Canadians with U.S. Ties with Kevin Tippett (Ep. 24)

Essential Tax Advice for Canadians with U.S. Ties with Kevin Tippett (Ep. 24)

By |

What does spending your winter in the U.S. mean for your taxes?

Join Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley as they chat with Kevin Tippet about the ins and outs of Canadian snowbirds managing their tax responsibilities when living or owning property in the United States. Whether it’s the intricacies of the 183-day rule, buying vacation homes, renting them out, or selling them, they break down everything you need to know to avoid unexpected tax obligations.

Kevin shares insights on:

  • Navigating the 183-day residency test for Snowbirds [02:01]
  • Tax filing requirements for renting U.S. properties [05:51]
  • Implications of selling a U.S. vacation property [10:00]
  • How gambling wins (and losses) factor in across the border [13:47]
  • Working remotely in Canada for a U.S. employer and tax pitfalls to avoid [18:39]

Resources:

  • Understanding US Tax Obligations for Canadians with Kevin Tippett (Ep. 23)

Connect with Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley: 

Connect with Kevin Tippett:

About Our Guest: 

A proud Maritimer originally from Moncton, New Brunswick, Kevin graduated from Mount Allison University with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting. In 2009, he earned his U.S. CPA designation and has built over 20 years of experience specializing in personal cross-border tax, with a focus on Canada and the United States.

After relocating from Moncton to Ottawa, Kevin began his career at a Big Four accounting firm, spending eight years developing expertise in cross-border tax matters, particularly advising employees on temporary assignments between Canada and the United States. Named partner in 2025, Kevin assists with the oversight of the cross-border tax practice, specializing in personal, cross-border income tax compliance, and advisory services.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE
Understanding US Tax Obligations for Canadians with Kevin Tippett (Ep. 23)

Understanding US Tax Obligations for Canadians with Kevin Tippett (Ep. 23)

By |

Want to move to Canada but unsure how it affects your US tax obligations? 

Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley are joined by US tax expert Kevin Tippett, to dive into the intricacies of tax implications for US citizens living in Canada. Kevin, a tax partner at Baker Tilly’s Ottawa office, brings clarity to a topic that affects many cross-border individuals. They explore key differences between the Canadian and US tax systems and offer detailed insights into the challenges of dual tax obligations.

Kevin shares insights on:

  • Differences in filing between Canada and the US [00:03:01]
  • U.S. citizenship-based taxation challenges [00:04:32]
  • Mechanisms to avoid double taxation [00:07:56]
  • Importance of filing to avoid penalties [00:09:05]
  • Navigating voluntary disclosure [00:11:16]

Resources:

Connect with Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley: 

Connect with Kevin Tippett:

About Our Guest: 

A proud Maritimer originally from Moncton, New Brunswick, Kevin graduated from Mount Allison University with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting. In 2009, he earned his U.S. CPA designation and has built over 20 years of experience specializing in personal cross-border tax, with a focus on Canada and the United States.

After relocating from Moncton to Ottawa, Kevin began his career at a Big Four accounting firm, spending eight years developing expertise in cross-border tax matters, particularly advising employees on temporary assignments between Canada and the United States. Named partner in 2025, Kevin assists with the oversight of the cross-border tax practice, specializing in personal, cross-border income tax compliance, and advisory services.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE
Preparing for New Tax Challenges in 2025 (Ep.22)

Preparing for New Tax Challenges in 2025 (Ep.22)

By |

This episode aims to break down key considerations for filing trust returns, focusing on the current legislative uncertainty within the Canadian government. 

Frankie and Sarah revisit the capital gains inclusion rate changes and the political debate surrounding them, with both Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Liberal contender Chrystia Freeland vowing to scrap the proposed tax legislation if elected. 

They also discuss the shifts to Bear Trust filings, which have caused confusion due to unclear definitions and changing CRA requirements, and the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and its growing impact on trusts. With recent legislative changes, AMT may apply more broadly, challenging traditional tax planning strategies. As tax rules continue to evolve, they stress the importance of staying informed.

Gain insight with these key points: 

  • Controversy surrounding the capital gains inclusion rate and its potential impact [09:00]
  • Bear trust filing requirements and CRA’s latest decisions [12:16]
  • Implications of the alternative minimum tax for trusts [17:55]
  • CRA’s technical interpretation of professional fee payments by trusts [27:55]

Connect with Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE
Navigating Tariffs with Sean Grant-Young & Dean Morris (Ep. 21)

Navigating Tariffs with Sean Grant-Young & Dean Morris (Ep. 21)

By |

What do tariffs mean for your business?

In this episode, Frankie and Sarah delve into the complexities of tariffs with Sean Grant-Young and Dean Morris. Recorded just after President Trump’s temporary reprieve on tariffs for Canada, the discussion centers on the looming threat of tariffs and their potential impacts on Canadian businesses. They talk about strategies for navigating this challenging landscape, emphasizing the importance of being prepared.

Sean and Dean discuss: 

  • The significance of tariffs on Canadian imports [03:08]
  • Immediate and long-term strategies for businesses [10:48]
  • The implications of retaliatory tariffs [20:47]
  • Whether businesses should take a proactive or wait-and-see approach [24:43]

Previous Episodes of Interest:

Connect with Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley: 

Connect with Sean Grant-Young:

Connect with Dean Morris:

About Sean Grant-Young: 

As National Director of Tax, Sean supports tax experts and their clients across the Baker Tilly Canada network by leading nationwide tax advisory initiatives, informing members of regulatory changes, and driving the development of high‑quality and comprehensive tax practices within an ever‑shifting technology and regulatory landscape.

Sean is committed to the ongoing development of tax professionals at every level of their career, serving as a facilitator and tutor for various CPA Canada In‑Depth Tax courses and leadership development programs.

Prior to his role as National Director of Tax, Sean held multiple executive‑level positions at a publicly traded company. He was also a tax advisor and practice leader for a global professional services firm, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, high-growth owner‑managed businesses, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

About Dean Morris: 

As a Senior Tax Manager of Transfer Pricing, Dean Morris helps clients establish, implement, and protect their transfer pricing policies. With more than 25 years of experience, Dean has addressed challenges in a wide range of industries, including software as a service (SaaS), e‑commerce, fintech, cryptocurrency, and health sciences. Dean’s operational transfer pricing focus is on the design and implementation of policies that balance an optimal mix of having a high ease of use, being supportable to tax authorities, and achieving tax efficiency. Dean graduated with an MBA from McMaster University, worked for eight years in the Big Four environment, and 10 years with a global economic boutique firm. For 10 years he worked as an independent transfer pricing advisor for the cross‑border clients of regional and international accounting and law firms.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE
Understanding Employee Ownership Trusts (Ep. 20)

Understanding Employee Ownership Trusts (Ep. 20)

By |

Could the introduction of Employee Ownership Trusts in Canada transform your business exit strategy?

Frankie and Sarah delve into Canada’s new rules around Employee Ownership Trusts, an intriguing option for business succession introduced in the 2023 federal budget. Their discussion highlights how this new format could revolutionize how businesses handle buy-sell transitions, especially with the anticipated wave of business sales in the coming decade. 

Frankie and Sarah discuss: 

  •  The fundamental structure of Employee Ownership Trusts and their potential role in succession planning
  • Key conditions and hurdles involved in implementing these trusts
  • The advantages of the $10 million capital gains deduction available through these trusts
  • Real-world challenges in adopting this new tax planning tool
  • The complex criteria and risks associated with this deduction

Connect with Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE
Prorogued Parliament and the Impact on Tax Laws with John Oakey (Ep.19)

Prorogued Parliament and the Impact on Tax Laws with John Oakey (Ep.19)

By |

Are you ready to explore the complex but crucial world of tax legislation and its implications for your business?

Frankie and Sarah are joined by John Oakey, Vice President of Taxation for CPA Canada, on a deep dive into how the prorogation of Parliament is shaking up tax legislation, with a particular focus on the proposed changes to the treatment of capital gains. 

Frankie and Sarah discuss: 

  • The effects of prorogation on existing and proposed tax bills 
  • The uncertainty surrounding the capital gains changes and how taxpayers can prepare
  • Different options for managing tax liabilities amidst legislative limbo
  • Strategies for dealing with trust and investment taxation during these uncertain times

Connect with Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley: 

Connect with John Oakey:

About Our Guest: 

As Vice-President of Taxation, John leads CPA Canada’s Tax group, which influences the development of an equitable, effective and efficient tax system in Canada, as well as delivers practical information and fresh perspectives on tax to members and the broader tax community.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More