Sam Taylor Podcast

Elena Kim is a CPA, CA, business advisor, Accounting instructor and former Ernst & Young Manager. She is a former colleague of Sam at EY Calgary and more recently cross-paths again as Instructors at the CPA Western School Business. Elena joined Sam to discuss her life as an independent, freelance consultant, how her career has progressed and the future of the CPA profession, among much more. &...

Charles Ackerman is the CFO of Nextleaf Solutions, an entrepreneur and Saint Mary's University graduate, who currently lives in Halifax Nova Scotia. He joined Sam to discuss his time as a student at SMU and the importance of aligning yourself with people that have similar values to you.  Charles also shared the journey his career has taken him on from working across Canada to Australia to bec...

Keshav is a 2021 Dalhousie University Accounting graduate and successfully completed the GDA program this year with Queen's university. He works with Sam on various projects, including producing this podcast. He joined Sam to discuss investing in Real Estate in your 20s, the importance of a strong support network while in both undergraduate and graduate programs, how to network as a student and mu...

Shana is a 2021 Dalhousie University Accounting graduate and a 2021 Queen's University GDA graduate. In her final year of her undergrad, she served as the Co-President of the Dalhousie Accounting Society and VP Internal of the Dalhousie Commerce Society. She joined Sam to discuss how she was able to thrive in online school, balance studying full-time with working part-time at Deloitte and how she...

Nathan Laird is the Program Manager of the Connector Program which is a public-private economic development organization focused on helping the city of Halifax thrive economically. He joined Sam to discuss how best to design and write your resume, networking with a mindset to develop long-term relationships. Nathan also shared his career progression as a graduate without any co-op or career direct...

Gordon Sinclair is a Manager with PwC in Calgary and an Accounting graduate from the University of Lethbridge. He is a childhood friend of Sam and joined her to discuss his Big Four recruitment process, their career choices and personal growth. They both shared stories on why they decided to go to university and what their mindset is in how they approach their work and lives.  --- Gordon's In...

Kathleen Brown is the Senior Student Recruitment Advisor with the CPA Atlantic School of Business. She completed a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business with Vancouver Island University and completed a Master's degree in Global Business with the University of Victoria. She joined Sam to discuss what roles within the CPA PEP are available to students and recent grads and how...

Casey Bryant is a McGill University Human Relations alumni and completed her CPA with KPMG Canada. She is now a Talent Attraction Manager with KPMG Calgary where Casey leads a team to recruit students (co-op's, internships, and full-time positions). Casey and Sam discussed the plethora of education and life experiences Associates in Public Practice now have and what a working day for a Talent...

Bryce Cross is a 2018 Dalhousie University, Rowe School of Business graduate. Bryce began his career at Deloitte's Risk Advisory Practice in Halifax, NS and completed his CPA Capstones and CFE in the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. He joined Sam to provide his perspective as a Dal Teaching Assistant and CPA student in transition to online school and how he was able to leave his job d...

Laura Watson and Allie Stephen are 2021 Dalhousie University Accounting graduates, close friends and roommates. They joined Sam to discuss the realities of spending all of your time with someone doing the same school programs and rating the difficulty of Dalhousie Accounting courses. Laura and Allie discussed their choice to pursue Queen's University's Smith School of Business Graduate Diploma in...

Rob Johnson is the owner of Rocky Mountain Dog, an outdoor lifestyle brand that sells adventure gear for dogs based out of Alberta, Canada. A graduate of University of Calgary's Commerce and Economics program, Rob spent much of his early career as a Project Manager at various organizations. While working as a Project Manager, he also taught as an instructor of Project Management at Mount Royal Uni...

Jonathan (Jon) Kelly is a 2020 Dalhousie University, Rowe School of Business graduate and an Associate with Ernst & Young LLP in Calgary, Alberta. He joined Sam to discuss how best to tackle the recruitment cycle for 4th year business students and how to make networking a less daunting task. Sam and Jonathan also talked about the importance of having hobbies while managing a heavy workload and...

Carolyn Scissions is the CEO of Finance Learning Lab, a company that creates and hosts finance workshops to help employees and entrepreneurs build the concepts and tools needed to operate their business. Carolyn is a graduate of University of Ottawa's B.Comm program where she majored in Accounting. Since then, she began her career with KPMG LLP. Following that, Carolyn spent many years working in...

Erin Marshall is a PhD; CPA, CA; Professor and Director of the MAcc program at the University of Alberta and CPA PEP online facilitator. She completed her CPA, CA with KPMG LLP in British Columbia and PhD with the University of Alberta. She joined Sam to discuss how to know when it is the right time to make a change in your career and leave a job to do something you felt you were always meant to d...

Tyler Wells is a CPA, CMA based out of Vancouver, BC. He began his career in Commercial Real Estate where he obtained his designation. After receiving it, Tyler moved into the Music & Entertainment industry where he continues to work today. He currently spends his days working within the NFT space (Ethereum blockchain) - an exciting and rapidly evolving asset class. Tyler joined Sam to discuss...

Clare Birks pursued her CPA designation and entered into the CPA PEP program much later in life than most. She began the program in her 30s with the Calgary Zoo as a Senior Conservation Administration Officer. Clare now serves as the Director of Finance and Administration for Theatre Calgary, a job she secured before obtaining her designation. She joined Sam to discuss her journey and catch up.&nb...

Jared Hudson is the Co-Founder of myPAQ, a sustainable technology start-up located in Halifax NS, Canada of which Sam serves as a Board Member. He is a 2020 Dalhousie University, Rowe School of Business graduate. Jared has proclaimed is non-love of Accounting, despite deciding to major in it. He joined Sam to discuss that even though he knew Accounting would not be his path, he knew how he could l...

Jadore Wang is an Accounting Specialist with Commercial Properties Limited. She is a 2019 Dalhousie University, Rowe School of Business graduate and current CPA Canada Candidate. Jadore did not waste any time getting real with Sam: openly sharing what she thought was helpful (and not helpful) from her Undergraduate degree, along with her struggles and triumphs since.  Sam was lucky enough to...

Colin Long is an Associate with PwC Bermuda. He is a 2020 Dalhousie University graduate and has a Graduate Diploma in Accounting from Queen's University Smith School of Business. Colin joined Sam to discuss how he found a way to integrate the best of what life has to offer while bringing the CPA Way to solving problems both personally and professionally.  Colin's Info:  LinkedIn: https:/...

Rob Bruce, CPA, CA is a Content Developer, Online Facilitator and Session Leader for CPA Canada Western School of Business. He is also an Instructor at Camosun College in Vancouver Island. Rob joined Sam to share some tips for incoming CPA Candidates as they begin their CPA journey.  Rob's info:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-brucecpa/ Sam's Info: Email: thesamtaylorpodcas...

James Barrett works in Sales Development at LevelJump - the only Outcome-Based Enablement solution that ties programs to revenue outcomes from within Salesforce. He is a 2019 Dalhousie University graduate in Accounting. James discusses with Sam how he has leveraged the language of business and accounting to build his Sales career and work towards his definition of success.  Sam's Info: Email:...

Julia D'Amico is a Corporate Accountant at Brookfield Asset Management in Toronto, Ontario. She is a 2019 Dalhousie University Graduate and a current CPA Candidate. Julia joined Sam to share her experience pursuing a degree in accounting and the opportunities it can provide you.  Sam's Info:  Email: thesamtaylorpodcast@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-taylor-64b93...

Megan Waterhouse is a Tax Analyst at Deloitte Canada. She is a Dalhousie University graduate and fast-tracked her CPA PEP without a Graduate Diploma for Masters degree. Despite her busy schedule, Megan found a way to incorporate travelling into her life. She chatted with Sam about how she made it all happen and provided her advice for recent graduates who are considering pursuing a CPA designation...

Nikki Marchiel is an educational consultant, world traveler, work from home aficionado and CPA, CA accountant. She joined Sam to discuss her journey to working independently and designing a lifestyle that excites her.  Sam's info:  Email: thesamtaylorpodcast@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-taylor-64b93558/ 

Steph Dyck is a recent Dalhousie graduate, former varsity athlete and a successful 2020 CPA CFE writer. Steph also completed the University of Toronto's GDip program. She joined Sam to discuss why and how she chose to major in Accounting, decided to pursue a CPA designation and all of the options her path has provided her.  Sam's Info:  Email: thesamtaylorpodcast@gmail.com LinkedIn: http...