Get to Know Rohan Jacobs

Whether it’s staffing, expansion, government programs, or business planning, Rohan Jacobs helps clients with a diverse set of business challenges. Read more about his journey from studying engineering in South Africa to becoming a jack-of-all-trades at MNP.

What was the path that led you into your profession today?

After taking a year off after high school to focus on swimming, I began my studies in civil engineering back in South Africa.

I did two-and-a-half years of my degree in engineering and didn’t love it. This was strange for me; I really thought it was something I was going to enjoy. I loved physics and mathematics in high school. But it didn’t work out how I thought it would in practice.

My younger sister mentioned that since I loved numbers, “Why don’t you look at accounting?” I thoroughly enjoyed accounting from the get-go. I finished my degree in South Africa, and then transferred to Canada in 2013.

What is your role now with MNP?

Right now I’m a Senior Manager in the General Core service area in B.C.

My background is quite strong on the assurance side of things, and I still do that a little bit. But I’ve made the transition to focus more on the areas of advisory, consulting, and business planning.

What kinds of problems are you helping clients solve day to day?

What I’m seeing with clients is, particularly over the last few years, a lot of the government programs have come out and clients want to know what they’re eligible for. As a team, we’re trying to be at the forefront for recognizing those things; we can be extremely helpful in helping them draft their applications.

Something else we see a lot is staffing issues, and those are not restricted to any type of client or industry, that applies everywhere.

Another thing that’s on my clients’ minds is expansion. A lot of them started out as sole proprietors, but now they’re getting to the phase where they’re growing and have additional companies and holding companies. They want to plan for the future.

Those are the kinds of issues we can give them guidance on.

What’s the biggest piece of advice you give to business owners just starting out?

Surround yourself with an excellent team (both internally and externally) and let them do what they do best!

What are you passionate about, inside and outside of work?

In my career, there’s something uniquely rewarding about serving clients that makes public practice so enjoyable. Public practice is very people-focused and building relationships with colleagues and clients is a great benefit. I’m driven by helping people succeed; seeing a client’s business thrive is the greatest satisfaction I have in my work.

Outside of work, I love to be involved in the community and help my local charities and organizations. Whether it be plasma donations, food deliveries for Seniors Outreach, or taking part in fundraisers — Ride Don’t Hide for CMHA, On the Lawn for Elevation Outdoors, and the Motionball Marathon of Sports, staying active in the community is a top priority for me.

I have also competed in three Harry Potter trivia contests — finishing second, third, and most recently, first — test my knowledge, I dare you!

Contact us

To learn more, contact Rohan Jacobs at [email protected] or 250.979.1732.