Junaid Usmani, CPA, CA, MTax

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I had a meeting with this new client. He was this young cardiologist, and due to his really busy work schedule, he was unable to make it into our office, so I had agreed to meet with him at his workplace, his hospital. So, I remember showing up to the food court at his hospital, at the time that we had discussed, and I waited 5, 10, 15 minutes and there was no sign of this doctor. Coming up to that 30 minute mark, I was just getting ready to pack up and leave when suddenly this doctor came racing in. He was sweating and he was apologizing profusely saying, "I'm sorry, I got stuck in surgery."

And that's when it hit me, we're not just accountants. We're not just bean counters. We're not just number crunchers. Our job is much more than that because we help people like this cardiologist do what they do best. We help them do the work that they're meant to do without having to worry about the numbers.

Growing up, I was really good with numbers. As I got older and older, I had this growing interest in working in law, which is why when I took my first taxation course at university, I was blown away. This is where numbers met the law and I loved it. Shortly after that, I pursued a Masters in Taxation from the University of Waterloo. I got a job with one of the big four, and began my career. Didn't take too long before I got pigeon-holed into a very narrow area of international taxation, and got bored out of my brains.

This is what led me to SRJ. Here I got to work with all these high net worth individuals, these interesting small business owners, as well as these really cool entrepreneurs. I got to see how personal taxes, and corporate taxes, and trust and estate planning and all these interesting concepts I had learned about came together. I got to connect the dots in an effort to save my clients their hard-earned dollars.

By doing so, I was able to help them put more money back into their businesses. By doing so, I was able to help them put more money away for their children's education, and actually make a meaningful impact on my clients’ lives. I'm a firm believer that everyone has a job to do. That cardiologist had a job to do. The entrepreneur has a job to do. The small business owner has a job to do. And my job is to help these people with their accounting and their taxes so that they can do, what they do best.

Academic Background & Expertise

Junaid Usmani has built a solid academic foundation, earning a Master’s degree in Taxation from the University of Waterloo. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Honours Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Junaid’s professional journey is deeply rooted in the healthcare industry, where he has worked closely with physicians and surgeons across the country. Volunteering with organizations such as Canadian Doctors for Medicare has been a rewarding experience for him. Alongside his healthcare work, Junaid has demonstrated a strong passion for entrepreneurship by helping tech businesses grow and refine their financial strategies. By combining his financial expertise with his entrepreneurial drive, Junaid has supported numerous startups and growing companies in achieving their financial goals.

Career Journey & Role in the Industry

As the co-founder of SRJ Chartered Professional Accountants, Junaid Usmani has played a key role in shaping financial services for entrepreneurs since July 2011. His focus has been on businesses with revenues ranging from $500K to $80M, as well as funded startups. Junaid’s dedication to providing innovative financial solutions has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor in the accounting and financial services sectors.

Junaid is also an active thought leader, contributing content that provides valuable insights on industry trends, tax optimization strategies, and effective financial management. His efforts help entrepreneurs and business leaders navigate the complexities of financial decision-making, ensuring they are well-equipped to achieve sustainable growth.

Personal Interests & Hobbies

Beyond his professional life, Junaid is a proud family man with a zest for life, embracing each moment with enthusiasm and humor. He has a deep passion for sports, travel, and water activities, affectionately referring to himself as the ‘brown AquaMan.’ Whether on land or in the water, Junaid approaches life with a sense of adventure and excitement.

Explore Junaid Usmani’s insights and expertise at SRJ Chartered Professional Accountants.

Learn more about his role within the company and organizational insights at TheOrg.

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