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Gillian Hollett

Co-op Student, Vancouver

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 Brar

Co-op Student, Surrey

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.

Justin McLaughlin

CPA, CA, Manager – Vancouver

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?

Viet Vu

Senior Accountant – Burnaby

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?

Jenny Wang

CPA, CGA, Senior Accountant – Vancouver

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!”

Rebecca Davidson

CPA, Senior Accountant – Burnaby

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.

Deepeka Dhillon

Staff Accountant – Surrey

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 Red

Staff Accountant, Student – Vancouver

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 Konings

CPA, CA, Senior Manager – Vancouver

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.

Andrew Ross

CPA, CGA, Manager – Vancouver

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!

Alex Dundas

Staff Accountant, Student – Vancouver

Bio coming soon.

Tom Gillespie

CPA, CA, Partner – Vancouver

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 Noonan

CPA, CA, Partner – Vancouver

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 Griffin

CPA, CA, Manager – Vancouver

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 Demerse

CPA, CA, Senior Manager – Vancouver

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.