PONTONI, Andrea: B.Comm., CPA, CA, CBV, ASA, CFF, CAFA®

Andrea holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a major in Accounting and Finance and a minor in Mathematics. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) with the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators, Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) in business valuations with the American Society of Appraisers and Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) with CPA Canada and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Andrea has also completed the three part Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada’s in-depth tax specialty program.

Andrea actively participates in the community. He has spent over 19 years on boards and committees primarily focused on children, social, cultural and health initiatives.

Andrea commenced his career at KPMG as an assurance consultant where he practiced public accounting and participated as a senior member on notice to reader, review and audit engagements. He also focused on the preparation of corporate and personal tax returns. After a period of four years Andrea moved into KPMG’s Financial Advisory Services practice where for a period of approximately six years his primary focus was providing advice on corporate finance, business planning, business valuations, investigative accounting and economic loss quantification matters. He was a member of KPMG’s automotive group and focused on significant engagements which included industries such as hydro distribution, automotive, agriculture, fishing, quarries, distribution, retail, transportation, construction, engineering, recreational and professional service firms among others. He quickly progressed to the Manager level within KPMG and then after two additional years to the Senior Manager level.

After completing the divestiture of a significant Tier 1 automotive client located in Windsor, Andrea was asked to join the management team as Director of Corporate Finance. The Company was a full service entity with operations in mold making, part production, assembly, painting and fixture and gauges. Andrea was responsible with the CFO in overseeing the internal financial reporting, variance analysis, forecasting, cash management, and the development of costing models, recommending continuous improvement initiatives, bank reporting and ensuring the consolidated entity complied with its credit agreement (which included a syndication of four financial institutions).

After his mandate in industry was completed, Andrea returned to public practice. He joined Baker Tilly Windsor (formerly Collins Barrow) as a Senior Associate. Andrea decided to get back to his roots and enrolled in the three part Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada’s in-depth tax specialty program. He completed the in-depth tax program over a three year period. Andrea realized the trend in succession planning and began to enhance his skills in corporate tax, personal tax and estate planning. Andrea is a natural fit in estate and succession planning with his background as a Chartered Business Valuator and completion of the tax speciality program. He also participated on sizeable engagements such as valuation and consulting advice pertaining to the business expropriations along the Herb Gray Parkway.

Andrea continuously improves his skills through professional development initiatives such as courses, conferences and technical updates.

He moved through the ranks of Baker Tilly Windsor (formerly Collins Barrow) to a position of Partner within the firm. Andrea participated in a senior role in the marketing initiatives of the firm. As a Partner, he was focused on ensuring his clients’ expectations were met, a continuous focus on business development through the maintenance of existing client relationships and developing new ones. He also contributed in the strategic direction of the firm through identifying and developing new opportunities in the market place.

Andrea always maintained a desire to start his own firm and in January of 2013, he was well on his way to realizing his goal and objectives. His vast experience developed over 29 years of actively participating in public accounting and industry serves as a good foundation in developing a quality and value added practice in which he can direct and nurture.

Andrea has over 29 years of experience with 17 of those years at two National Firms where he held senior positions including that of a partner. His practice includes providing advice on business valuation, economic loss quantifications, financial investigations, financial forecasts, personal and corporate taxation (CCPCs), accounting, business planning and corporate finance matters to clients varying in size and industry.