Sharon Perry & Associates, Chartered Professional Accountants
A personal approach - meet our small business member Sharon Perry & Associates, Chartered Professional Accountants
Small businesses start with bright ideas. But when it comes to talking about taxes and accounting, small business owners may feel like they’re in the dark. That’s where Sharon Perry and her team can help. “Most small business owners are great at what they sell -- goods, services or both -- but the running of a business is another issue,” she says. “There are so many areas that small businesses need to know about that it can be very overwhelming.” Meet our Small Business Member for November: Sharon Perry and Associates, Chartered Professional Accountants.
Sharon Perry and Associates is an accounting and tax firm that focuses on small businesses. As a small business themselves, they understand what kinds of challenges their clients face, and have a wealth of expertise to draw on to advise them. Sharon’s aim is to take the stress of accounting off of her small business clients, so that they can focus on what they truly love to do.
“Getting into this industry was really by fluke,” smiles Sharon. She grew up working for her family’s building supply stores, an experience that taught her about the challenges that small businesses face every day, along with the satisfaction of running your business well. “At the time, I never imagined that accounting would become my chosen profession. But my first job after I finished college was in a small public practice firm. I started as an admin/junior accountant and it was just the perfect fit right from day one, so I went back to post-secondary school while working full-time to become a CPA (CA at the time).“ Nearly 10 years on, Sharon has gone on to help an incredible variety of small businesses -- including boat captains, fitness instructors, artists, chiropractors and construction teams -- to manage their finances and help their dreams come true.
“The attraction to Sharon’s accounting group is their professionalism, and their constant support and coaching to the business owners themselves,” explains Small Business Relationships Manager Shelley Linn. “Sharon will counsel on ways her small business clients can improve their operations to ensure long term success.”
And by using business banking services, Sharon has support and advice whenever she needs it herself. “I love the personal connection that I have with my personal and business advisors at Prospera.” says Sharon. “They took the time to get to know me and my business. They are always available to answer my questions or help with issues I might be having. This personal TLC approach just doesn’t exist with other banking institutions. The continuity of my advisors hasn’t changed either, which is amazing. Other banks change their small business advisor every three to six months, so you never have a relationship that grows. Having the same advisors also allows me to refer my clients to Prospera, and my clients are then extremely happy with the same level of service I receive. This further reflects positively on me as a professional accountant -- with trusted financial advisors, my clients appreciate the value-added advice.”
Sharon’s positive outlook really shows when she’s asked about how she stands apart from the competition. “I don’t believe in competition. I believe we work with the clients that we are meant to work with. Everyone connects in different way, and all CPA firms have their own unique way of doing things. What makes me unique is that I take a personal approach with every client.”
“Sharon is approachable and communicates in laymen’s terms.” agrees Small Business Relationships Manager Shelley Linn. “Being an entrepreneur herself, she has a clear understanding of what it takes to run a business and make it sustainable. And,” she adds “Sharon has a great sense of humour too!”
Sharon’s sense of responsibility to her community runs deep: from sponsoring local firefighters and hockey teams, to raising one million dollars to help the Eagle Ridge Hospital in memory of her father. “I believe in being very involved in the community and giving back,” she says “As well as educating through our social media channels for clients, and for those who maybe can’t afford to have a CPA at their fingertips but still should have access to information.”
To find out more about Sharon Perry and Associates, follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram. And if you have a small business that could use our support, come in and talk to one of our Small Business Relationship Managers. We would love to help you grow!
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