Get to Know Anita Fowsar

Anita Fowsar, a partner with Duke CPA Inc., a small accounting firm in Cowansville, Quebec, located about an hour southeast of Montreal, joined the MNP family through a merger on February 1, 2022. Anita had been with the predecessor firm since 2012 and became a partner in 2014. She was instrumental in helping the firm achieve CPA Quebec training office status and was the only public practitioner from Quebec to sit on the Accounting Standards Board’s Agriculture Advisory Group, providing guidance on new standards for the agriculture industry. We spoke with Anita to find out more about one of MNP’s newest team members.

Did you always want to become an accountant?

No. My first degree was in criminology. I then did a degree in community and public policy because I wanted to work in the not-for-profit sector. If I wanted to eventually become a director of an organization, I needed to have financial skills, so I enrolled in the McGill graduate program for accounting to do a class or two, and then I finished the diploma and started to work in public practice. I continued on to do the classes for my designation. My parents are immigrants and from a young age they emphasized the importance of education to me and my siblings. They always told us that knowledge is something people can’t take from you, which is probably why I did multiple degrees.

What do you like about accounting?

It wasn’t until I started to become more experienced in audit procedures and working with standards that I became more passionate about it. I do quality control at our firm right now, making sure we’re compliant with the standards that are in place. That kind of wraps into my policy degree. That’s how I came full circle.

How would you describe your role?

We’re small so we all do everything. I prepare financial statements and play a role in professional development for staff. I also make sure we’re up to date and compliant with the standards that are in place and, of course, I’m very involved in client relations. We’re excited to be part of a larger firm like MNP, with people who can take care of the more administrative tasks, so we can focus on clients.

What is your approach with clients?

I take a hands-on approach and am transparent in communication with them. Each client is different — some want you to be very involved, some want you to touch base once or twice a year. Basically, I listen to them and get to know them so I understand what they need from us.

Are you involved in the community?

I’m a member of the Yamaska Valley Optimist Club. They support youth and raise funds to donate to the local hospital foundation so they can acquire equipment related to women’s cancer. The youth programs might be breakfast programs or meeting the needs of local schools. We also provide baskets of supplies that youth transitioning out of group homes need as a ‘welcome to your apartment’. They do wonderful work and the time commitment is flexible, which is great when you’re a working parent. I’m also involved in my kids’ school.

How do you define added value?

It’s listening to what the clients have to say and keeping that in mind. Every conversation is important. You might have a five-minute conversation and they mention something quickly and it triggers an idea. For instance, if they’re developing a project, maybe I should recommend that they look into the Scientific Research and Development Credits. So it’s really actively listening to the clients and how they want to grow their businesses, and making suggestions based on that.

What are you envisioning in terms of your future with the firm?

What really drew us to MNP is the culture and values, which are very aligned with ours. They are a ‘one pot’ firm and we have that mentality on a much smaller scale — we’re one team and all working together. Other things that we’re excited about are being able to attract more resources and experienced professionals. That’s a big challenge for a small firm. And just being part of a bigger team and having access to the support that’s there.

What do you do when you’re not working or volunteering?

I have two kids so I’m doing activities with the them, and with my parents and sisters. It’s never the same. One day we’re playing Just Dance, the next day we’re going skating or playing board games.

To learn more about Anita or to find out how she can help you, contact her at 450.263.4123 ext. # 232 or [email protected]