Get to know Myriah Foort

After articling with MNP in the Campbell River office to obtain her Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Myriah spent six years with the firm, serving clients across the North Island in both assurance and audit functions. She went on to spend nine years working in various finance positions in local government; becoming chief financial officer (CFO) for the City of Campbell River and then the Strathcona and Comox Valley Regional Districts. Now she’s come home to MNP. Myriah is excited to bring her extensive knowledge and experience back to MNP where she can service businesses in our community.

Did you always want to become an accountant?

I first took accounting as an elective in high school and really enjoyed it—it’s like a puzzle. In university, I wavered between teaching or accounting. Accounting won! Finance and operations are the backbone businesses depend on to make sound decisions. I have followed the careers of many CPAs who became CEOs; they inspire me to think beyond the numbers. It is a great career, with so many avenues and possibilities. I have been provided many opportunities to learn and mentor through MNP training programs, GFOABC Board, and local government conferences and webinars.

You started your CPA career at MNP and then left to work in various roles in local government. What drew you back?

My time in government allowed me to develop key skills in strategic, long-term planning, and stakeholder management. I greatly enjoyed the challenge of working to meet the ever-changing demands of growing island communities. However, I always felt a pull back to public practice. I missed the client-focused delivery of service, and the ability to serve a diverse group of clients.

I’m drawn to MNP’s vision and entrepreneurial spirit. The support for your personal goals allows you to focus on the areas that interest you and that you thrive in. It is the best place for the next chapter of my career.

MNP has built an incredible team of professionals who are focused on providing great service to clients. I’m excited to be part of the team again.

What will be your main focus when working with clients?

I will be leading the Vancouver Island ExitSmart and Succession services and be part of the national ExitSmart team. This service area is providing a long-range view for client service, ensuring we support both the annual financial filing requirements as well as helping clients meet their long-term personal and business goals. I will help clients evaluate how both their business and personal net worth can meet their cash flow needs. Our service also encompasses will and estate planning.

I will also support our EASE bookkeeping team. In today’s labour market, it is difficult to find and retain good finance staff; our ease Cloud Accounting and Bookkeeping service works with accountants and business owners to provide timely vetted financial reporting necessary to make decisions and manage your business effectively. EASE also provides opportunities for creating custom reporting, KPIs, and industry specific goal markers. I want to be a part of that conversation.

What are some of the most valuable experiences from local government that you will be transferring to your new role at MNP?

Working in local government, I listened to the various stakeholders and their challenges to develop solutions that worked for everyone. This included buy-in and collaboration with various departments to achieve consensus and meet organizational goals. I developed and honed many skills that can be used to help business owners meet their long-term goals. I’m also a big networker. I’m interested in learning about best practices and what’s worked for others, so I think that will also benefit our clients as I will continually strive to connect them with professionals that will help achieve their goals.

How would you describe your professional self?

I’m a problem solver, collaborator, and positive person who likes to uplift and support people. I truly believe we can come to better solutions by working together and utilizing various skill sets to obtain the best outcome. Working through large, complex problems with a long-range view - but in incremental steps - makes any solution achievable. I believe this skill set will benefit clients by providing them a business advisor that help navigate life and business challenges.

Tell us about your involvement in the community.

I led the MNP Relay for Life team for the Canadian Cancer Society for many years. I’ve also sat on the Campbell River Hospital Foundation and Government Finance Officers Association of BC boards. I’ve been treasurer of my children’s school for the past six years, with another decade to go with my third child starting kindergarten in two years.

I was also the founding president of Young Professionals of Campbell River. The goal was to provide an opportunity for people moving to communities on the Island to connect with new people, learn, network, build their business and give back to their communities. It’s been rewarding to see that group continue to grow and provide a forum for young professionals.

What is the best thing about living in Campbell River?

It has that small town charm, but with amenities that give residents a high quality of life. I grew up in Powell River and met my husband, John at university in Nanaimo. We were deciding where to go upon graduation when the opportunity to article with MNP in Campbell River, arose. When we first moved here, it was quiet compared to Nanaimo, but the community has grown and now there’s a lot to do and neat areas to explore. Vancouver Island is an amazing place to live, and I feel so fortunate to be here.

Contact us

To learn more, contact Myriah Foort at 250.287.2131 or [email protected].