About Us

Partners

Meet our partners

Although our partners each have their own areas of special expertise and experience, they all practice drawing on the same core values — taking the care and investing the time needed to get to know their clients and how the GSE team can best assist their needs.

Partners

Rob Foster, CPA, CA

Partner

Photo of Rob Foster

From his start with the firm as a co-op student, Rob worked his way up to partner at GSE. Rob has a strong practice in owner-managed businesses, municipalities’ audits, and farming and Ag-business clients.

As an Elgin County farmer himself, Rob’s heart belongs to the land and those who work it. He enjoys assisting with the annual compliance and planning needs of farmers – and in the family transitioning of farming operations. That keen interest in family run operations carries through to his other clients in many other sectors.

Rob also serves on Yarmouth Mutual’s board of directors.

Jim Frederick, CPA, CA

Partner

Photo of Jim Frederick

Jim serves a broad range of clients, including entrepreneurial businesses and professionals, who appreciate Jim’s guidance on beneficial corporate tax structures and succession plans. He is an advocate for lifelong learning as an aspect of superior client service. His CICA in-depth taxation training is just one example of his commitment to getting to know more in addition to getting to know you.

When he is not on the job, you might find Jim on the ice. He continues to be actively involved with the St. Thomas Curling Club, where he is past president.

Mike MacKinnon, CPA, CA

Partner

Photo of Mike MacKinnon

Twenty-five years of public accounting experience and seven years with two owner-managed companies in a senior financial capacity backs Mike’s specialization in assurance engagements (audits and reviews) with owner-managed and not-for-profit organizations. His practice also includes a large number of pharmacists across southern Ontario.

Mike has been active with the Rotary Club of London-Lambeth since 2006 and is on their executive, is a member of the audit committee for the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital and is treasurer for the Elgin Branch of Western University Alumni. Mike also spent 9 years in convener and treasurer roles with Lambeth Minor Hockey and the Shamrock Hockey League.

Mike Stover, CPA, CA

Partner

Photo of Mike Stover

Mike is adept at compliance and taxation planning. He has built a career on assurance engagement assistance for owner-managed companies in the manufacturing, service and not-for-profit sectors, and has served as chair of the GSE’s assurance committee for several years. Mike’s willingness to go above and beyond brings results and additional value to his clients.

Mike is a past Board member of the Aylmer Chamber of Commerce, is the long time treasurer of the Ontario Mini Tractor Pullers Association, has served on the Aylmer Economic Development Liaison Committee, and is on the Board of the East Elgin Family Health Team.

Paul Schneider, CPA, CA

Partner

Photo of Paul Schneider

Paul, who joined GSE in 2009, looks after a wide range of clients in audit, accounting and taxation, from owner managers to not-for-profits. Promoted to partner in 2016, Paul looks forward to continuing to serve the firm’s clients in the highly personalized way that characterizes his client relationships.

Ann Marie Perry, CPA, CA

Partner

Photo of Anne Marie Perry

Ann Marie merged her firm of Kee, Perry & DeVrieze with GSE in 2018. She joined the predecessor firm of Kee, Perry & DeVrieze as a co-op student in 1993 and worked her way up to partner in 2004. Ann Marie enjoys providing personalized service and building strong relationships with all her clients. Ann Marie specializes in assurance engagements for both owner-managed and not-for profit organizations.

Ann Marie is on the Board of Boler Mountain as treasurer, is past treasurer of the St. Thomas & Elgin Homebuilders’ Association and is a past board member of The Canadian Mental Health Association, Elgin Branch. When she is not at the office, Ann Marie enjoys spending time with her two boys skiing, cycling and ATVing.

Jennifer Buchanan, CPA, CA

Partner

Photo of Jen Buchanan

Jen obtained her CPA designation in 2010 and after experience at two national firms joined GSE as a manager in 2015, becoming Partner in 2020. She serves our clients with integrity and a progressive approach in the areas of assurance, accounting and tax. In addition to providing clients with exceptional service tailored to their individual needs, Jen takes a lead role at GSE in training, mentoring and professional development of our team of professionals.

Jen enjoys living in St. Thomas where she is raising her two daughters with her husband Ryan.

Tax Partners

Derek Michell, CPA, CA, TEP

Tax Partner

Photo of Derek Michell

Having joined GSE in 2011, Derek now devotes much of his time assisting our clients in longer term taxation and succession planning, working together with our Tax Group, as well as continuing to assist many owner manager clients with their ongoing requirements.

Derek completed CPA Canada’s In Depth Taxation program in 2015 and enjoys working together with our other partners and staff to deliver tangible yet personal solutions to many of GSE’s clients. Derek works from the St. Thomas office serving both St. Thomas and Aylmer office clients.

Tax Consultants

Garth Howes, CPA, CA

Senior Tax Consultant

Garth joined GSE in early 2012 after a successful tenure as a senior tax partner with a national firm. Garth is driven by his desire to practise with an intimate and personal sense of client service.

His in-depth expertise in taxation planning and business advisory services to family-owned companies has further strengthened the firm’s tax group. Garth enjoys meeting clients at the St. Thomas and Aylmer offices – or at their own locations all across the region.

Retired Partners

Bill Graham, CPA, CA

Retired Managing Partner

Photo of Bill Graham

Bill’s strong interest in people – both at a professional and personal level – has helped build the firm. While Bill retired in December 2015, his influence on the firm’s culture and on the clients he worked with continues to be felt each day at Graham Scott Enns. Bill’s keen interest in our clients’ success and his determined efforts in looking out for his clients’ best interests has won respect and results – including the ongoing friendships with many clients. GSE’s comprehensive and highly personal approach continues to have Bill written all over it.

People-minded and service-focused in his personal life as well, Bill continues to serve on the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital Foundation capital campaign fundraising committee, and he looks forward to running into friends as a member of the St. Thomas Golf & Country Club. He and his wife Ann also look forward to spending more time in retirement taking walks and visiting with their kids and grandkids.

John Scott, CPA, CA

Retired Partner, St. Thomas Office

Photo of John Scott

John is an original partner in the firm. He worked with a wide variety of organizations and individuals while at the firm using his expertise in the realm of small to mid-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Alan Enns, CPA, CA

Retired Partner, Aylmer Office

Photo of Alan Enns

Alan recently retired after 30 years of service as a Partner largely with owner managed businesses. He is looking forward to travelling and spending more time at the cottage in Muskoka.