I grew up in Prince George, but I always knew I would move to the big city.
I did so at the age of 19 and studied Psychology at the University of British Columbia. After a few years working in the not-for-profit industry, getting married and having a family, I decided to return to school to pursue a career in accounting.
This time, I immersed myself in the student experience to soak up every little bit of knowledge that I could, including the co-op experience. My role at Clearline has enabled me to learn so much already, and I am excited to continue to develop my skills here.
When I’m not in the office I love to spend time hiking and snowshoeing with my husband and kids, or listening to audiobooks while I go for a run on the boardwalk in New West.
Simran was born and raised in Surrey, BC. She is currently obtaining her Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. After completing her BBA, she will be pursuing her CPA designation. She is currently working at Clearline as a co-op student.
Since joining Clearline, Simran has gained an invaluable amount of knowledge and experience. She is able to apply this in her school work as well as her everyday life. She is excited to continue her journey and grow with the company.
Outside of work, Simran is an avid traveler. She has crossed Italy, France, Germany and Spain off her bucket, but hopes to explore more. She also enjoys reading a good book and spending time with family and friends.
I was born and raised in the Greater Vancouver area, and my first love is playing sports: from running, to golf, to rugby, to hockey… you name it, I’ll play it!
My love for sports helped me to earn a scholarship to play hockey at Lindenwood University, where I played defense for three years. I enjoyed travelling across the US to remote places I would never go, even if it was on a bus.
I also loved the challenge of keeping up with my studies while keeping up with a hectic athletic schedule. While completing my Bachelor’s, I took a keen interest in business, and went on to earn a Master’s in Business Administration. I also worked as a staff accountant at the university’s accounting office.
I got designated as a CA, CPA in 2015, and just before I joined Clearline, I was leading assurance engagements for not-for-profit organizations and small businesses at a mid-sized accounting firm in the Tri-cities area. I’m looking forward to sharing my assurance experience with Team Clearline and guiding our assurance students in their field work.
Outside of the office, you can find me still living the hockey dream playing men’s league (Beer league) at a local arena, there’s still a chance right?
I was born in Hong Kong and came to Canada when I was five months old. I have lived in Vancouver for most of my life, except for the four years I spent in Toronto to attend Ryerson University. The laid-back west coast lifestyle definitely suits me better than the hustle and bustle of a large metropolitan city.
Prior to working at Clearline, I took on roles as an estimator, production coordinator, and systems administrator at a small book binding and finishing company. While I developed a good understanding of business operations, I felt I was lacking in understanding of the financial side of the business. I decided to attend Langara College part-time to study accounting.
I joined Clearline as an Associate in September 2017, immediately after writing the CFE exam. Now, I help small business owners with compilation of their financial statements and corporate tax filings.
Working at Clearline provides me with a broad learning experience that aligns with my career goals. I also enjoy the family-like atmosphere, where we all know each other and everyone is always willing to help and give advice.
Outside of the office, my guilty pleasure is watching Gold Rush Alaska.
Anybody need an extra hand moving dirt?
I grew up in China and took a big leap by leaving home and coming to Canada on my own to study Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting. After graduation, I focused on the path to becoming an accountant and obtained my CPA, CGA designation.
I joined Clearline in August 2017. While I am fairly new to Clearline, I am no stranger to public accounting having worked for several years as a staff accountant in another public accounting firm. My role at Clearline is to provide guidance, direction, and clarity to the ever-growing, ever-expanding bookkeeping team. I enjoy training and helping new students learn the ropes of working in a professional environment. It makes me proud to know that these students will use the skills they learn with me to become better accountants.
I also love helping clients organize their business activities and interacting with them on a regular basis. Why? It’s very satisfying coming up with a solution for client challenges!
Outside of the office, you will find me at authentic spicy food restaurants. You will know it is me if you hear someone say: “Give me the spiciest item on your menu!”
I grew up in Tsawwassen, and was born with an entrepreneurial spirit, as everyone in the family helped grow the two garden centers my grandparents started. At a young age, I noticed any questions or help my family had or needed, their first call was their Chartered Accountant, and it was that realization that made me want to become one.
I knew what I wanted to become but how to get there was a looming question. I settled on BCIT to complete my Bachelor of Technology in Accounting, a choice I will never regret. I became highly involved in the institute and spent my last year as the president of the Student Association, an invaluable experience!
After three years gaining experience in public practice at a mid-size firm, I joined Clearline CPA. Clearline quickly felt like family as they cultivated a culture that was much like my personality: open, intuitive and caring. Clearline also did an amazing job of helping me celebrate when I received my designation in 2018.
When I am not work you will most likely find me somewhere in the lower mainland with my beloved dogs. If not there, you could also try my kitchen where I spend time trying new recipes, or a dance studio learning ballroom.
What You Can Expect
We will work together to define and understand your values and goals so we have a clear picture of what you want your financial world to look like. Together, we will:
With Clearline Elite you get:
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What You Can Expect
We will work together to bring clarity to your tax picture. We will:
With Clearline Comfort you get:
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What You Can Expect
You can count on our team of accounting professionals to file your tax return effectively and efficiently.
With Clearline Essentials you get:
Ready to get started? Submit your information below:
What You Can Expect
You can count on our team of accounting professionals to file your tax return effectively and efficiently.
With Clearline Essentials you get:
Ready to get started? Submit your information below:
What You Can Expect
We will work together to bring clarity to your tax picture. We will:
With Clearline Comfort you get:
Ready to get started? Submit your information below:
What You Can Expect
We will work together to define and understand your values and goals so we have a clear picture of what you want your financial world to look like. Together, we will:
With Clearline Elite you get:
Ready to get started? Submit your information below:
Born and raised in Surrey, Deepeka obtained her Bachelor of Technology in Accounting from BCIT in 2015. Prior to joining Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants, she worked as a bookkeeper for two small businesses and later became a junior accountant for a larger organization.
Knowing there was a lot more she wanted to learn, she decided to pursue public practice–which led her to join Clearline in April 2017. Deepeka was one of Clearline’s successful CFE writers in 2018 and is excited to see herself grow in her role.
Outside of the office, Deepeka tries spending as much time as possible outdoors–whether it be hiking, snowboarding, or just being a complete foodie.
Kathleen joined Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants in January of 2016 as a co-op student and was hired upon completing her term. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Currently, she is enrolled in the CPA program and is on her way to getting her designation.
She started as a bookkeeping associate working for the public companies with the firm, where she developed her expertise in utilizing different accounting software. She enjoys training new team members and passing along her knowledge. Kathleen is now a Staff Accountant with Clearline and is involved in compilation, review and audit engagements.
Kathleen was born in the Philippines; however, her family immigrated to Canada early in her childhood and grew up in Richmond. Her family has always been business-oriented, so accounting was a natural choice for her. She is motivated by her successful entrepreneurial grandparents who started their own businesses despite their unfavourable circumstances.
Outside of the office, Kathleen enjoys travelling to tropical places where the weather is above 23 degrees. You can find her laying by the beach basking in the sun or swimming in the ocean. What is your favourite tropical destination?
Richard, a Senior Manager at Clearline CPA, provides assurance (audit and review engagements) and business advisory services to businesses across a broad range of industries. He helps his clients, as well as his staff, define and achieve success through a deep understanding of their goals, gained through a relationship based on collaboration, trust, and integrity.
Before joining Clearline, Richard provided assurance and accounting services to public and private organizations since 2007, while at large and mid-sized public accounting firms both in Vancouver and Toronto.
Outside of the office, Richard enjoys playing tennis, hiking, biking and spending time with his family and friends.
Born and raised in the Toronto area, to a father in finance and a mother in the airline industry, I developed a keen appreciation for both business and traveling from a young age. The first accounting course I ever took was in high school, and although it was only learning the basics, I was immediately hooked!
I attended Bishops University, just outside of Sherbrooke, QC, where I completed my B.B.A with a double major in Accounting and Economics. Upon finishing university, I returned home and started working for small public accounting firm in Oakville, ON. Over the following two years, the time I spent working for that firm really laid the ground work for my decision, and inspired me to pursue my CGA designation.
While having been born and raised in the Toronto area, the west coast always felt like a second home. Skiing has always been one of my biggest passions, and having had many ski vacations as a child from Whistler to Banff, and everywhere in between, the opportunity to move out west was one I could not pass up.
After spending four years in Kelowna, BC, and obtaining my CGA designation in May 2014, I made the move to Vancouver. Over the past 4 years I have been focusing on leading audit and assurance engagements in both the not-for-profit and private sectors.
Outside of the office you can find me skiing, hiking, playing soccer and travelling!
Bio coming soon.
Tom, a Partner at Clearline CPA, primarily focuses on the provision of assurance (audit and review engagement) services to companies in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, real estate, wealth management and financial services. Tom is passionate about assurance services and the benefits that these processes can provide to the organizations he works with. Originally from Ontario, he obtained his accounting designation while articling as an auditor at a mid-sized firm in Ottawa working with both private enterprises and not-for-profit organizations. Subsequently, Tom moved to Bermuda where he joined an international accounting firm in their investments and banking audit department. While in Bermuda, his focus was in auditing investment funds, banking organizations, and related service companies.
Tom is also a co-founder of Clearline Consulting which provides file monitoring, professional development, assurance planning and on-going consulting services to CPA firms and practitioners, helping them succeed and build thriving practices.
Outside of the office, Tom enjoys golfing, skiing and traveling with his family and friends.
Bridget, a Partner at Clearline CPA, primarily focuses on the provision of assurance (audit and review engagement) services to not-for-profit organizations. Bridget is passionate about education and helping the organizations members, committees, directors and/or board members in the understanding of all matters related to the accounting and auditing processes. Bridget was with a mid-size firm in Vancouver for 12 years working with both public, private and not-for-profit organizations as a senior manager in the accounting and auditing department.
Bridget is also a co-founder of Clearline Consulting which provides file monitoring, professional development, assurance planning and on-going consulting services to CPA firms and practitioners, helping them succeed and build thriving practices.
Outside of the office, Bridget enjoy traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Viktoriya joined the Clearline team after providing audit and assurance services for private and public companies with large international accounting firms in Canada and the UK. Most recently, she focused on helping clients grow their businesses and take care of their accounting and tax needs in Calgary, Alberta. After moving back to her home in Vancouver, she was excited to join the team at Clearline where the firm’s services and approach align so well with her long-term goals. She is passionate about ensuring that insightful and accurate tax planning opportunities are in place in order to minimize immediate and future tax liabilities. She is also a strong believer in enabling and working together with teams. Viktoriya will lead some of Clearline’s audit and CFO services for public companies. Originally from Kazakhstan, Viktoriya loves learning about culture through food. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, who she took on 19 plane rides before the age of one.
Dan joined Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants in 2010 and obtained his CPA in 2014. He graduated from Trinity Western University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and served as President of the Student Business Association. Dan works out of Clearline’s downtown office where he provides assurance, taxation, and other professional services to public and private clients with operations in North and South America. Dan has experience with clients operating in a variety of industries including mineral property exploration, construction, real estate, hospitality, unions, and charities.
Christina is a junior associate who was recently hired in September. Before starting at Clearline, Christina completed her BBA in Accounting at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. While going to school, she worked in retail as an assistant manager. During the summer, Christina helps supervise the ticket department at the PNE during fair season.
Christina’s passion for accounting did not sprout at a young age nor did she inherit it from her ancestors. She began to gain interest in the subject during her second year of post-secondary when her courses became more specific to the field.
Outside of the office, Christina enjoys trips to warm cities, eating various cuisines, and jamming out to K-pop. Her devotion to continuous learning and extremely outgoing character aligns well with Clearline’s ongoing goal of growth and company culture.
She is eager to continue her journey in becoming a CPA and is anxious for what the future holds!
Bio coming soon
AJ has had a keen business mind from a very early age. At age 10, he streamlined his paper route by establishing a business model and contracting out work to the other neighborhood kids. Later, in his early 20’s he started his own company. With such an early interest in business, it is no surprise AJ is currently pursuing his CPA designation. Born in Richmond, AJ obtained his undergraduate degree in Life Sciences at the University of British Columbia and his Diploma of Accounting at the Sauder School of Business. His work experience includes extensive customer service in the insurance and banking industries. Currently an Associate with Clearline CPA, AJ appreciates the attitude cultivated within the company. His primary focus at the moment is obtaining his designation and further developing as a professional. In his free time, AJ enjoys watching and playing basketball, hiking, reading and spending time with his niece and nephew.
Gurbir joined the Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants team at the Surrey location in January 2015. Born the eldest of three siblings and raised in Surrey, Gurbir was hard-working student and athlete growing up. Playing soccer competitively from the age of eight, his talent and leadership ability put him in a position to captain many of the teams he played for at both the club and provincial level. After finishing high school, Gurbir decided to enroll at BCIT where he completed a Diploma in Technology and subsequently completed his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. Currently, Gurbir is working towards his designation as a CPA. Beyond his career, Gurbir is an avid traveller, having visited a good portion of Europe, Mexico and the USA. When Gurbir is not working, which is rare, you can find him hanging out with his dog Mary, hitting the gym, playing sports or hanging out with friends and family.
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
Shehzel was raised in Surrey and obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Business was a natural choice for Shehzel, as her whole family is business-oriented, and includes numerous accountants. She started her career at Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants as a co-op student in the Surrey office and, upon completing her term, was quickly hired on as an Associate. She enjoys the team environment at Clearline and being able to see the value added to every client she works with.
Currently, Shehzel’s primary focus is obtaining her CPA. She begins her CPA courses in 2016 and is excited to gain more experience and grow as an accountant. In her free time, Shehzel enjoys cooking and trying new recipes. She plans to travel Latin America in the coming years.
Reese, a Senior Accountant for the Firm, joined Clearline CPA in the fall of 2015 and primarily focuses on the provision of assurance and tax services to owner managed businesses and not-for-profit entities. When he isn’t working with clients or mentoring junior staff you can find him volunteering in local co-operative associations or hiking the coastal mountains.
Amber joined Clearline CPA in March 2016 shortly after completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting at Douglas College. Prior to working at Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants, she worked as a bookkeeper for a small business and volunteered for the CRA to complete personal income tax returns.
In December 2018, Amber was successful in passing the CPA common final exam and is looking forward to getting her letters in 2019. Amber grew up in Coquitlam and is technically the middle child of three, however, her older sibling is only older by 15 minutes. Outside of the office, you can find Amber hanging out with her friends, family or her beloved cat, Oliver. She also enjoys cooking and baking, and is often trying new recipes.
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
Priya Padmanabhan joined Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants in November 2012 and works out of the Surrey office. She obtained her CGA designation in 2009 and worked with a large accounting firm for four years where she gained extensive experience working with owner-managed companies. When work and family life permit, she enjoys reading and travelling.
Cindy Ieong joined Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants in February 2018. She currently leads Clearline’s CFO services for public companies. After getting a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia, she worked at a mid-sized CA firm in Vancouver where she provided assurance related services to a diverse portfolio of public clients. Outside of public practice, Cindy has started her own business and has worked in a municipal government. In her spare time, she avoids numbers. Cindy enjoys traveling and eating.
Arwen joined Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants in January 2016 as the Operations Manager while Rachel was on maternity leave. Currently completing her Diploma in Accounting Program at UBC, sheis now part of Clearline’s accounting team. Arwen grew up on the North Shore, attended Queen’s University in Ontario and graduated with an honours degree in Political Science and History. She then moved to Banff, Alberta for the hiking, and snowboarding and worked with Parks Canada for four years. Upon returning to Vancouver, Arwen worked with an international recruiting firm before joining Clearline CPA. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, fly-fishing, and camping.
Dave J. Block joined Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants in May 2010. He currently manages the North Vancouver office where he and the team provide tax planning and assurance services to personal, not-for-profit, corporate and public clients. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in 2008 from Trinity Western University. After graduation, Dave worked with a mid-sized CA firm for two and a half years where he gained experience working with small-business and corporate tax clients, as well as various not-for-profit organizations. Outside of the CPA, CA world, Dave enjoys traveling, camping, riding motorcycles, and adventuring with his family and friends.
A Senior Manager at Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants, Baljit has over 15 years of public practice experience with a focus on and a passion for serving owner-managed businesses. She provides all aspects of accounting and tax services to her clients including payroll, HST and personal tax services. She has extensive experience in a variety of industries ranging from construction to incorporated professionals to investment holding companies. Her emphasis has always been on ensuring that a client’s needs are being met. When Baljit is not in the office you can find her driving her two wonderful sons from one activity to the next.
Rachel joined the Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants team in 2010 as a staff accountant. She received her Bachelor of Arts from UBC in 2007. Rachel joined Clearline because of the opportunity to work with a great, knowledgeable, dynamic team environment. She brings her outstanding organizational skills, creativity, and enthusiasm to the office. Rachel loves being outdoors and in her free time can be found at the park playing grass or beach volleyball till sun down.
John graduated from the University of Montana’s School of Business in 1972. He obtained his CPA (US) designation in 1980 and his CA designation in 1983. He spent more than 11 years with the international firm of PriceWaterhouse (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers), in three different countries before establishing his own firm in 1989.
Jeff has worked in public practice since 2002, providing accounting and tax advice to business owners, professionals and private companies. He has provided audit and assurance services to private companies, not-for-profit organizations and charities, in addition to acting as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of public and private companies. Jeff completed his Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) from Trinity Western University and went on to article at Staley, Okada & Partners, which later merged with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he earned his Chartered Accountant (CA) designation. In 2009, Jeff, along with his business partner Grant T. Smith, founded Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants. The company started with just two staff in North Vancouver and has since grown to include a third partner, Bilal Kathrada, three office locations – North Vancouver, downtown Vancouver, and Surrey central – and a team of 20+ professionals.
Jeff was born and raised on a 52-acre working farm in South Surrey. He spends as much time outdoors as possible and loves living in Vancouver’s temperate climate; after all it is as close to California as he can get in Canada.
Now I am a CPA and mom and dad are so proud! But it was not always so, my youth was misspent earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts at York University in Toronto. My efforts were focused on revitalizing the theatre and, so I thought, improving mankind through art. That phase, known as the “arts years”, ended when I met Joanne Betzler on the best day of my life and started the “garden years”. For the next decade or so I worked with my mentor, John Zaplatynsky, at GardenWorks, where I learned how to run a business.
I left GardenWorks in 2001 to begin the “CPA years” and went off to work for Staley, Okada and partners, the prestigious chartered accountant firm that taught me my profession. I got to work with some of the finest professionals in the industry in Canada and was privileged to do so. It was not always great though, because there I met Jeff Block, my business partner.
It’s hard to imagine just how important your children can be and I am privileged to have the best four, all of whom have found marvellous partners and in one case have given Joanne and I two amazing grandchildren.
As a CPA I primarily focus on relieving my clients’ stress by helping to build a plan and implement a strategy that allows my client to focus on the things that matter most to them, like raising children almost as great as mine.
Bilal, a Partner at Clearline Chartered Professional Accountants, primarily focuses on income tax and succession planning for Canadian owner-managed businesses in various industries. Bilal received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Victoria and obtained his CA designation in 2005. Prior to Clearline, he worked in the tax group of a large international accounting firm in Vancouver and a mid-sized accounting firm located in the Fraser Valley. An active proponent of community involvement, Bilal volunteers as the treasurer for the Surrey Cares Community Foundation. Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter. He enjoys outdoor activities such as golf and spending time with his family and friends.
