Get To Know Craig Reid
Born and raised in Bonavista in Newfoundland, Craig Reid headed west after university. He settled in Peace River, Alberta, where he served the agricultural community for more than 15 years. Now Craig’s back and sees the opportunity to apply everything he’s learned in agriculture to the fisheries and developing aquaculture industries in the region, and the business community at large. We caught up with Craig in MNP’s new office in Mount Pearl to learn more about him and what he brings to the province.
Did you always want to be an accountant?
Not necessarily an accountant but I was strong in math, so I knew it was likely going to be something in the numbers field. Of course, for an accountant, relationships are more important than numbers, but that suited me. I had an older cousin who was a chartered professional accountant and that got me interested in the work.
Tell us about your career in Alberta.
I moved to Alberta in 2006 straight out of university and got my CPA designation. Not being from Alberta, I didn’t have a farming background, but I volunteered to become the person who deals with the farm side of things. That was a good fit because I enjoy face-to-face interaction and take a more relationship-based approach with clients. I learned quickly that farmers are very welcoming and hands-on, which suits my client relationship style.
What brought you back to Newfoundland?
My wife and I are both from here and I always said that if MNP opened a Newfoundland office I’d entertain the opportunity to come home. We’d been in Peace River for 15 years and didn’t have intentions of moving when the option came up; however, through much debate, we felt it was the best decision to be closer to our aging parents and for our son to grow up much closer to family.
What opportunities does MNP see when it comes to the fisheries industry?
Big opportunities. From an accountant perspective, the farming world is pretty similar to the fishing world. Coming from the coast of Newfoundland, I know a lot more about fishing than I knew about farming when I started in Alberta. The opportunities lie in the additional services we can offer — succession planning, estate planning, various fishing structures — plus the day-to-day advisory services will benefit clients at every level of the fisheries supply chain.
How do you approach working with clients?
As I said, I like to take an in-person approach, where I’m visiting the clients’ premises, listening and learning about their operation firsthand. Clients take notice when you’re interested in their business, and they open up and love talking about their operations. I built my practice in Peace River by being available when clients need me, where they need me. And when we have year-end meetings, it’s about the future, not the results. That’s the past, it’s good to go over, but what’s the plan moving forward?
I’ll add that I’m not your suit-and-tie kind of person. Being on the farm or on the wharf, the client’s working atmosphere is more my style.
How will your experience working in an established MNP office help the firm build its future in Newfoundland?
We have great local expertise in this office and now that everything can be done remotely, we can draw on the knowledge of team members I have relationships with right across the country, not just in Newfoundland or Atlantic Canada. This is a big benefit and can be instrumental in the success of business – having the right level of advice when it is required.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I like hanging out with people and camping, and I’m a hockey card collector. I live just outside the city and plan to get involved in the community as a board or committee member.