Twenty-seven-year-old Alexandre Lecomte is a determined person. Originally from France, this young lawyer specialized in a field that is as complex as it is essential: tax law.

Following a successful internship, our Firm offered Alexandre a tax specialist position. His impressive academic career, which includes a Master of Business Law and a diploma from the Haute École des Avocats Conseils, in France, provided Alexandre with a solid foundation for his career.

Every detail counts …

After having worked at Grant Thornton France in Paris, Alexandre decided he wanted to seek new opportunities across the Atlantic. Thanks to its network, Grant Thornton France put him in touch with our Firm. He landed in Québec in January 2022 with one clear objective in mind: becoming the best tax specialist while adapting to his new situation.

“I arrived in Québec in the winter. I literally walked out the airport and did the splits in my runners,” he says laughing.

His days are filled with a variety of challenges: analyzing tax plans and advising companies on their tax and customs strategy, not to mention the endless research he must do to meet the needs of various clients. Every detail counts, each law can make a difference—it’s a reality that pushes Alexandre to constantly expand his knowledge.

A diverse range of companies

What he likes most about his job is the complexity. Tax law is a maze of laws and regulations that Alexandre loves exploring to quickly find the exit! His position within our Firm connects him with diverse companies, from small family sugar shacks to multinationals. This myriad of meetings and challenges allows him to continue to learn and foster his passion for tax law.

His mission: inform and help

Alexandre is involved not only in his work, but also in his community. As the Director-Treasurer of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Canada, Alexandre has the opportunity to help fellow French citizens who, like him, decided to immigrate to Québec to work.

“Helping people is what drives me. I became a lawyer because for me, the Latin word advocatus, which means “a person who supports in trials,” had real meaning for me.” His mission: inform, downplay, explain, find solutions. It gives him the opportunity to get a better feel for local businesses and put people in touch with each other.

Alexandre appreciates both his work and his colleagues. He’s an extrovert. On his first day in the province, he was already chatting with many neighbours! Also, his integration was made easier thanks to his colleagues, whom he found very welcoming.

“I love working at the office,” he exclaims. “I like talking with my colleagues, being able to discuss my ideas with them.” This stimulating work environment and the exchange of ideas are among the things that motivate him.

A place in Québec

Work is not Alexandre’s only love in Québec. He has been able to discover activities in unique settings and excellent Québec food prepared by his friends and colleagues. Furthermore, he enjoys nature as much as the city, going to Tadoussac to see the whales or attending a show in Montréal.

More than ever, Alexandre is determined to learn from the best tax professionals, and he deeply appreciates the level of trust his colleagues show him. There’s no doubt he’ll achieve his goals! His story perfectly illustrates how dedication, passion and a touch of adventure can lead to a successful and fulfilling career.

As Partner – Campus Recruitment and Strategy, Geneviève Dubé-Marcil has a clear mission: find and recruit the best student talent for our Firm. But her role also involves accompanying students throughout the process. She tells us more about it.

Can you describe the role of the campus recruitment team?

Basically, our job is to attract, assess and recruit the best talent from universities and colleges for our Firm.

My team and I organize recruiting events, including campus visits, and give students presentations in various settings. For example, we participate in job fairs, the Jeux du Commerce and the Financial Open.

We collaborate with professors, internship services and student associations to find the most qualified candidates and promote all the benefits of working in a firm like ours. This aspect of our work is very important.

As well, to help candidates make connections, throughout the year, we organize recruiting activities like our famous spring garden party in Sherbrooke, mixology workshops, team games and happy hours.

How do you and your team make sure that the candidates’ journey goes smoothly?

Campus recruiters know the importance of providing a quality candidate experience. We strive to communicate clearly and transparently with candidates throughout the recruiting process. We try to find each candidate not only the right job, but also the right team.

As well, we work hard to guide applicants throughout the recruiting process. The process can be daunting for young students, so we really do try to support them well. This can include providing them with interview preparation advice, selection process information and informal meetings to familiarize them with our Firm’s brand and products.

What skills and qualities are you looking for in candidates?

A love of teamwork, good communication skills, initiative and autonomy—these are all valuable assets. We also look for people who want to learn and grow with us throughout their career.

What challenges do campus recruiters face?

The pandemic was certainly a challenge, sometimes preventing in-person meetings and forcing campus recruiters to adapt to virtual events.

What’s more, in talent, there is vast need and vast supply. One of the ways we set ourselves apart from the competition is through our strong employer brand. Even though we have a solid reputation, we are always developing more programs to make internships and life at our Firm stimulating and enjoyable.

We also collaborate with ambassadors, who are interns at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton. They come to speak about their positive experience and are motivated to help new talent integrate.

In your opinion, what makes a good interview?

A good interview is when there is a discussion, a real exchange, and both the candidate and the Firm’s representatives have had the opportunity to ask all their questions, express their needs and concerns, and get to know each other.

How can internships help contribute to your career as a CPA? We discuss this with Anaïs Eudes, Consultant – University Recruitment, at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton.

How will completing an internship benefit you on your accounting journey?

Internships offer trainees practical experience in their field of study. It gives them the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in a real work context and develop essential professional skills. When you do an internship with us, you feel better equipped afterwards in the classroom and have a better understanding of the concepts seen in class.

Internships also allow you to discover the different facets of the accounting profession and give you a clearer idea of what your future work will entail. When your internship begins, you will be asked to carry out various assignments. Since Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton has many clients, you will be involved in all kinds of fields and face a wide variety of situations.

Doing an internship also gives you the chance to start building your network right away. In our firm, this network extends to more than 100 offices offering many different services. This will be useful throughout your career.

What other skills can you acquire through an internship?

For us, work should be a source of pleasure and motivation. Right off the bat, you will be an integral part of the team and you can get involved in the social committee and participate in all of our events. We believe that the social ties created at work are essential to feeling good in your professional environment. Internships are a way to develop life skills that will serve you throughout your professional and personal life.

Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton is a human-scale firm with a warm and friendly working atmosphere. Interns, and all staff, are strongly encouraged to express themselves freely and share their ideas to help the firm grow. You will learn to put forth your projects and discuss them in a respectful manner. Another winning asset!

What are the advantages of doing your internship at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton?

The quality of coaching is one of the first factors to consider. As of your first day with us, you will receive training to familiarize yourself with the firm’s procedures. You will also have access to online training about various topics, some of which will help you prepare for the CPA Common Final Examination.

We listen to our juniors and maintain a close relationship with management. We know that transparent and open communication is essential to maintaining a healthy and productive work environment. It’s part of our business culture.

On your first day, colleagues will be there to welcome you. A large firm can be intimidating, so the door is wide open to make you feel at home from the get-go. Mentors share their expertise, experiences and valuable advice to help you develop in your future profession. You will quickly acquire a great deal of autonomy and a sense of resourcefulness that will also serve you in your studies. All this while feeling supported at every stage of your development.