As a Professional Accountant, Stephen helps clients make smart decisions about their money, mitigate taxes, take care of your heirs, protect assets from being unjustly taken, magnify charitable gifts and plan for the unexpected.

He specializes in the complex and enjoys working with business owners and executives who want to make work optional, and those approaching retirement make the transition smoothly by planning for a lifetime of tax effective cash flow.

Stephen’s clients benefit from personalized wealth strategies built for today’s markets through our team-oriented, results-based approach.

Stephen worked at PriceWaterhouseCoopers for ten years until December 1994, serving as Kitchener/Waterloo’s Senior Tax Manager for the last five years.  On January 1, 1995, Stephen established his current business, specializing in estate and retirement planning, tax services, and wealth management.  

Qualifications:

• 2021 – “Jones Private Client”
• 2015 – Author of “The Tax Master” – A Professional’s Guide to Wealth Management
• 2015 – Advisor of the Year – Inaugural “Wealth Professional” Award
• 2014 – Canada’s Top 50 Financial Advisors (#7) – Wealth Professional Magazine
• 2012 – Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)
• 1998 – Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
• 1989 – CICA Tax Specialist Program  
• 1986 – Chartered Accountant (CA)
• 1984 – Honours Business Administration Degree – Wilfrid Laurier University

Stephen was born in Montreal and lived there until the age of seven.  This is where he began his lifelong love of the Montreal Canadians, which is very evident when you visit our office (or as some clients call it, the “Hockey Hall of Fame”).  Over the years, Stephen lived in New York State, Toronto, and has been in Kitchener-Waterloo since 1975.

Stephen and Catherine have been married for over 29 years and have four children. The three oldest children are establishing their careers and enjoy spending time at the cottage.  The youngest is starting University.  The family is rounded out with two Miniature Poodles – Duke (Duchess Marie) and Fynn, who is also the family supervisor.  Stephen is actively involved in church life, supports local charities such as Habitat for Humanity, golf, and is the backseat coach for many sporting activities.

Catherine is a financial advisor who specializes in helping clients clarify their financial goals and implement a simple and personal financial plan. Throughout her career, Catherine has worked in many areas of accounting and taxation, as a Controller of a Waterloo computer dealership, and as an Assistant and Financial Advisor.   In 2013, Catherine developed a Personal Financial Planning course for the Accounting Department of the University of Waterloo and taught for 4 years.

Qualifications:

• 2020 – Life Insurance Licensed
• 2016 – Hot List – Leading Figures in Canadian Wealth Management – Wealth Professional Magazine
• 2010 – Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
• 2007 – Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA)
• 2006 – Investment Funds in Canada Licence (IFIC license to sell Mutual Funds)
• 1989 – Bachelor of Business Management – Ryerson (PI) University

Catherine grew up in Lindsay, Ontario with a summer cottage in Haliburton, which she and Stephen purchased from her mom many years ago and have rebuilt to enjoy with their four children. The three oldest are settling into their careers in Interior Design, Graphic Design and Sports Analysis and are enjoying opportunities to travel.  Her youngest has started University.  The family is rounded out with two senior Miniature Poodles – Duke (Duchess Marie) and Fynn, who is also the family supervisor.  Catherine is an avid knitter, quilter, and loves murder mystery novels.

Lynley is passionate about personal finance, has extensive knowledge in small business, technology, and personal income tax, and appreciates the challenge of creating the best financial situation for all clients. Lynley holds a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation and provides advice in all aspects of a client’s financial picture. She works as an Advisor on the ‘Jones Private Client’ team.

Qualifications & Experience:

• 2021 – Certified Financial Planner – CFP® 
• 2019 – Certificate in Advanced Financial Advice
• 2019 – Life Insurance Licensed
• 2018 – Certificate in Advanced Mutual Funds Advice
• 2011 to present – Bookkeeping and Income Tax Preparation
• 2013 to present – Co-owner and Accounting Manager of Legacy Art & Gauge
• 2012 to 2017 – Controller for a private Auto Finance company
• 2006 to 2012 – Training adult students and corporate clients (Conestoga College, Trios College, Summit Learning Centres) with a strong focus on technology 
• 2008 – Certified Microsoft Office Master
• 2006 – Bachelor of Business Administration – Wilfrid Laurier University

Lynley has been married to Mark for 17 years, and they have a thirteen-year-old daughter, an eleven-year-old son, and a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon named Rory. She is an active member at Stanley Park Baptist Church in Kitchener. When she’s not working, Lynley loves to spend time discovering and mastering new technology, creating handmade items, baking, reading, and spending time with family.

Ana is our Office Manager and a Mutual Fund Associate.  She is at the heart of our business and assists Stephen in preparing for meetings, providing client service to our clients, and processing trade requests.  Ana is extremely thorough in her work and is the “go-to” person in our office. Ana has worked with Stephen for almost 22 years, and has gained a lot of experience in that time.  What she enjoys most about her role is interacting with our clients – not only helping them with their requests, but getting to know more about their personal/family lives.

Ana joined our office in 1999 with prior experience in the financial service industry.  In February 2013 Ana completed the Canadian Investment Funds course.

Ana was born in Angola, Africa and moved to Kitchener in 1974.  She and her husband, Sergio, have a daughter who loves her job at Teknik Salon and Spa and a son who graduated this year from an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration and Economics degree at Wilfrid Laurier University, and will be taking his CPA course in the Fall.  Their dog Mia, a 13 year old Yorkie, is also an important member of the family, who you may have occasionally seen at the office.  Ana and her family are actively involved in the local Portuguese community, and enjoy travelling to Portugal to visit family.  She enjoys baking and loves spending time with family and friends.

Raven is our Administrative Associate who primarily works with Lynley on meeting preparation and client service needs such as investments, estate settlement, and insurance. She is passionate about estate and investment needs and is always up for a challenge and eager to assist.

Raven joined our office in October 2019 and received her Business Administration – Financial Planning Advanced Diploma at Conestoga College in 2021. Raven is interested in becoming a Financial Planner and takes every opportunity to learn more about the industry and how to best serve our clients.

When she is not working, Raven enjoys reading a good thriller, cooking new recipes, and spending time with her family.