Get to know Doug Kirby, Assurance and Accounting Partner in St. John’s

Meet Doug Kirby, CPA, CA, a Partner in MNP’s St John’s office. He has more than 30 years of experience as an accountant, business owner, and business advisor ­— with an extensive focus on owner-managed and family businesses, as well as the professionals and not-for-profit sectors.

Learn more about his passion for his profession, his community, and what he loves most about living and working in St. John’s with this Q&A.  

What keeps your passion for accounting burning after more than 30 years?

Funny enough, accounting wasn’t even on my radar when I was starting my career. One of my friends was working with a Big 4 firm and having a very positive experience there. He suggested I apply, and he helped me get the role. That was in 1984, and there’s been no looking back.

I fell in love with the work immediately. You learn very quickly it’s not a numbers business; it’s a people business. Throughout the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with numerous owner-managed businesses, multiple generation family businesses, and some not-for-profits. There are countless ways I’ve been able to affect people’s lives, help them manage their financial affairs and chart their way forward.

The relationships I’ve built and the opportunities to watch both businesses and people grow over the years are really something else. That's why I fell in love with the work — and why I still love what I do.

How have the needs of Newfoundland and Labrador businesses evolved over your career, and what are you looking forward to in the years to come?

I’ve seen pretty much everything over the years. The economy was in rough shape when I started my career. Then we had the fish moratorium in 1992 which turned the province upside down.

Things seemed bleak at the time. But, in hindsight, forcing fishers to focus on higher profit catches such as crab and shrimp created a myriad of opportunities. Then the oil industry started taking off which really helped the economy grow through the late 90s and early 2000s.

Now we’re in the middle of a pandemic. It’s interesting to see how creative and resilient businesses have been. For the most part, my clients have managed to weather the storm marvellously. They’ve found ways to meet the challenges head on. Some have even seen their business improve.

If there’s anything I’ve learned over the years, it’s that people and businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador are strong. If anything, the pandemic has made them become even more agile and ready for the future — even in the face of a tremendous amount of uncertainty.

We have opportunities in the province that we haven’t even scratched the surface on — from wind, solar, and tidal energy, to an exciting and rapidly growing technology sector. The young people who are developing these IT businesses are spectacular. We're in good hands, and I think we've got a great future.

What inspired you to join MNP after so many years as a business owner and leader? 

I was lucky to be surrounded by a great team of smart, talented people over those 30-plus years. People who really wanted to help others. It was great to see our client base expand and grow stronger, and to see the progression of our clients every year — many of whom have been with us for more than a quarter century.

But just as our clients progressed, it was important for us to do the same. When we were presented with the opportunity to bring a full range of business advisory services under one roof, it made total sense. My team needed access to more opportunities. My clients needed access to a broader range of specialty services and a wider network of expertise. MNP has really allowed us to tap into that while preserving the local person-to-person focus.

The fit was right, so in many ways it doesn’t feel like a whole lot has changed. There’s just more vitality and talent now, and we have a lot more we can offer people.

Where do you go to relax and unwind away from work? Why is that such a special place for you?

I took up running a few years ago. My favourite time to go is first thing in the morning before I start my day — especially in the summer when the weather is mild, and I can catch an early sunrise. It’s a great opportunity to relax, clear my head, and just take in the beauty of nature. 

I live almost in the centre of St. John’s, but it every time I go out feels like a sightseeing adventure. Everything is so quiet and peaceful and there’s an incredible amount of wildlife around. I’ve seen eagles and all kinds of birds, rabbits, a fox... Some people need to go far out of their way to get that kind of escape, and all I have to do is step out into my neighbourhood.

Contact

To learn more about Doug, contact him at [email protected] or 709.702.3818