Strategic Advisory Services
I lead tax reorganizations and related planning for private companies and family enterprises. Typical mandates include:
estate freezes and family trusts
succession/transition planning
pre-sale planning
post-mortem planning
asset-protection restructuring
wind-ups and amalgamations
shareholder buy-outs
employee-ownership strategies, and
support for unanimous shareholders’ agreements.
Engagement is direct with me; I coordinate with legal counsel and the client’s accountant throughout.
How I Work
I take time to confirm facts, goals, risks, and timelines, then deliver a clear plan and execute the tax steps in coordination with legal counsel and the client’s accountant.
Guidance for legal counsel. Provide a written tax memo that outlines the structure, steps, and rationale to support proper documentation.
Elections prepared and filed. Prepare and file the required tax elections and manage key dates.
Closing package for the accountant. Deliver reporting notes and copies of filed elections to support accurate year-end reporting.
Typical Engagement flow
Scope. Short call to confirm facts, objectives, constraints, and timelines.
Plan. Written outline and information list; fees confirmed.
Execute. Coordinate with counsel, prepare documents and elections, manage key dates.
Close. Closing package with reporting notes and follow-ups.
Strategic Advisory - FAQ
Will you work with our lawyer?
Yes. I brief legal counsel with a written memo and coordinate steps through to signing and filing.
Do you work with the client’s accountant?
Yes. I keep the accountant informed and provide a closing package with reporting notes and copies of elections.
Who is engaged?
For Strategic Advisory, I engage directly with the client. I coordinate with the client’s lawyer and accountant and keep the referring CPA informed.
Pricing.
Typically fixed-fee for a scoped mandate; hourly when scope is evolving. Fees and the payment schedule are confirmed before work begins. Payment options include credit card, Interac e-Transfer, electronic funds transfer (EFT), or cheque. Applicable GST/HST is added.
Timelines.
Timelines depend on scope, counsel’s drafting, and signatures. I set realistic dates at the outset and provide updates as milestones are met.
External consultations.
On rare occasions the proposed planning requires a consultation with another specialist (for example, cross-border or excise tax). Client approval is obtained in advance. External fees are passed through at cost and added to the client’s invoice.
Will you review our planning engagement?
I am often asked by CPAs to review reorganization letters. I consider this case by case and typically accept smaller or simpler engagements. This review is provided through my General Advisory engagement with the CPA firm.
Will you help implement planning proposed by other (non-CPA) advisors?
Yes. I frequently work with investment, insurance, and other fee-for-service advisors who present recommended changes. I review proposed plans for tax compliance, recommend any changes, and implement once aligned.
