Get to know Mathieu Lipari
You want to do business with people you know, like, and trust. In this Q&A, get to know Mathieu Lipari, a senior manager with MNP and a member of our Agricultural Risk Management Resources team.
Q: Why did you choose to focus on agriculture?
I’ve had an interest for agriculture since I was quite young, although most of my family did not have an agricultural background. One of my relatives had a farm that I enjoyed visiting during the summer. But I have to admit that when my high school guidance counsellor told me that I would have a career in agriculture, I didn’t really believe him.
Eventually, I earned a diploma in agriculture and international development. I wanted to somehow contribute to the world through agriculture which, after all, is how we feed the world. It’s all led to a passion for farm business management.
Q: How did you become interested in risk management?
During my 13 years at Farm Management Canada, I was involved in developing various tools and resources for producers to help them improve their business management. Risk management is an under-valued yet crucial part of farm business management, and I began focusing my work in this area.
I developed risk management resources that were tailored for Canadian producers, from the Comprehensive Guide to Managing Risk in Agriculture to risk management toolkits. This all culminated in AgriShield™, an online risk management platform tailored for Canadian producers. It guides them through a complete, whole-farm risk assessment and planning process and provides tools and resources to mitigate key risks.
Q: Why did you join MNP?
During my time at Farm Management Canada, I completed a degree in accounting to delve deeper into the financial side of business risk management. This eventually led to my interest in MNP, one of the only accounting firms in Canada that has the knowledge, expertise, and tools to help farmers manage their ever-changing and increasing risks.
Q: What do you find most exciting or intriguing about agriculture?
Agriculture is the foundation of our civilization. It is how we became so prosperous as a species, and it remains the most crucial industry for the continuation of our species. Yet its value and the value of the people who work in agriculture is often diminished.
Being a farmer is one of the most challenging jobs in the world, requiring a wide range of skills and knowledge, including agrology, human resource management, business management, finances, marketing, etc. In addition, farmers in Canada have to deal with risks that range from threats to their own personal safety and the wellbeing of their employees. They also have to navigate market fluctuations, extreme weather, changing regulations, border disputes, pests, disease, cybersecurity, and many more. These risks not only threaten our farms but also our food supply, our economy, and our society as a whole. That’s why our farms need our support.
Q: How do you approach working with clients?
Clients are our key partners, and they should be treated as such. As we provide services for them, our clients can help us better understand their reality and develop resources that will better suit their needs.
As we help clients succeed, they help us succeed as well. We must never think that our expertise puts us above the client. Clients deserve to be treated with respect and I always keep an open mind in order to learn from them and improve our services.
Q: Outside of work, what are some of your interests and hobbies?
I have a wide range of interests and hobbies including skiing, windsurfing, camping, hiking, travelling, spending time at the cottage, going to the spa, going to the gym, playing boardgames with friends and family, and even online gaming.
For more information, contact Mathieu Lipari, CPA, CA, Senior Manager, Agricultural Risk Management Resources at [email protected].