Our firm has been a driving force in the accounting profession since 1948. The combined experience of three generations of the same family provides some insight into 75 years of history and how this Québec jewel has changed over this time.

Raynald, Dominic and Hugo Deslandes have passed the torch, from one generation to the next. They tell us about their inspiring career paths as well as how they view working for Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton.

Strong roots

Dominic Deslandes was appointed partner in the Recovery and Reorganization Group at the age of 32, and he now has more than 27 years of seniority in the firm. A licenced insolvency trustee and newly appointed member of the Insolvency Institute of Canada (IIC), Dominic has some impressive credentials. When he was a child, his father Raynald often found him reading the economic section in La Presse or looking at financial statements! Needless to say, Raynald was very happy when Dominic decided to become an accountant!

Dominic admits that, for a while, he thought about becoming a doctor. “I liked the idea of helping others and dealing with critical situations, but this is sort of what I do as a restructuring expert. I may not be saving lives, but I’m helping companies that are often in a very difficult financial situation. My team and I ask questions, analyze information to arrive at the best possible diagnosis, and then propose the best solutions.”

Helping others

Dominic worked hard to get where he is today. Many of his partners think that he works too hard. “It must be in my blood. But there are some benefits. I met Andrée, my wife and the mother of our three children, during all those long hours at the office.”

Dominic remembers a pivotal moment in his career. He was just starting out and was assigned his first major file: a sawmill in the Abitibi region. “There I am, in a suit and tie, and everyone else is in jeans and checked shirts. It was so cold and I didn’t even have any boots,” he remembers with a laugh.

Gilles Plante, a former partner in the region, took Dominic under his wing and helped him steer this project. “Gilles was the Vice-President for his region, he had his own clients to serve, and yet he still took the time to monitor my progress and answer my questions. I can say that this helped me to build a successful career. One of my biggest regrets is that Gilles passed away before I had a chance to tell him how much his support made a difference for me,” Dominic says with sadness.

Passing the torch

That is why Dominic makes it a point of honour to help his partners as well as younger professionals by sharing his knowledge and his network of contacts. He is extremely pleased to monitor the progress of his son, Hugo, who is studying business administration at McGill University while working as a junior auditor at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton. “I’m very proud of my three children. I hope that they’ll do something that makes them happy—whether they become CPAs or not.”

Hugo, for his part, has received his fair share of academic awards. He has been involved in a host of committees and all sorts of associations. In fact, he is an ambassador for the firm at McGill. “My role is to talk to students and show them the type of firm we are. Within the company, helping others is more important than being in competition.”

Looking towards the future

Since the birth of his son, Noah, a few months ago, Hugo has re-thought his priorities. He had been thinking about doing a Master’s degree abroad, but has decided to wait for a better time. He has also taken some time off from his committee work to focus on his studies and his family.

“When I look at my son, of course I don’t want to work 70 hours a week. I want to spend time with him. And, what’s more, it wouldn’t be fair to my partner, Charlotte, who has already taken a semester off after Noah was born.” His colleagues are very accommodating at work. Hugo emphasized that “people here understand the reality of employees who have children.”

A generation of builders

This was not the reality when Raynald Deslandes joined the firm in 1965, while taking night classes at HEC. Raynald is from the generation of builders who made Québec what it is today. He was also involved in many different committees. Among other things, he chaired the professional practice committee and served on the executive committee for the Montréal region as well as the national executive board to get a solid grasp of internal management.

Raynald is fully aware of how lucky he was to have a wife who took care of the family. “Without her, I would never have been able to have the same career.” He remembers with emotion the day that he learned that he had become a chartered accountant. “Back then, the UFE results were posted by the Ordre des comptables agréés. I was so nervous that I stayed in the car while my pregnant wife went to see the list of people who passed. When she came out, she was waving her arms, laughing, and screaming ‘you passed!’ It was one of the best days of my life, he says smiling.

A highly adaptable firm

He understands fulIy well that working 70 hours a week is not considered ideal for his grandson, Hugo. “Society is changing, and that’s a good thing. I’m proud to see that the firm is adapting as an employer.” He remembers that it was always like this. He, himself, saw this respect for employees as he worked alongside the firm’s founding partners. In particular, he recalls that when he was a young trainee and ill, his boss, Jacques Paré, phoned his own family doctor to look after him.

The next generation of accountant?

These three men are part of a long tradition of accountants who truly embody the firm’s values, namely collaboration, leadership, agility, integrity, respect and excellence.

The question is this: are Noah’s father and grandfather secretly plotting for him to pursue his career with Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton one day? Hugo laughs and says “it’s no secret that they are plotting. It’s already common knowledge that they’re getting ready to pass the baton to my son”.

Samuel Havida first came here to study, but adopted Québec for good more than twenty years ago. He tells us about his inspiring journey.

Samuel Havida arrived in Montréal as an international student at McGill University in 1999 and had every intention of returning to his native country after his business studies.

However, life, with its unexpected turns, decided otherwise. At a university recruiting event that he was attending out of curiosity, a Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton partner made him an offer that would change the course of his life. Although he missed his family, Sam decided to seize the opportunity and stay in Québec.

An unrivalled spirit

Today, with 20 years’ experience under his belt, Samuel has never regretted his decision. Not only has he risen through the ranks; he has reshaped the landscape around him with rare energy and charisma. He attributes much of his success to the support and encouragement he has found within the Firm. For him, the Firm is part of his family.

His passion for his work is obvious and can be felt in every word he speaks. “What makes me most proud is to see clients or colleagues who, yesterday, thought something was impossible, and then, today, have turned that dream into reality,” he shares, with a twinkle in his eye.

Making the impossible possible

He remembers his early days. “People at the Firm believed in me more than I believed in myself.” This confidence has been the cornerstone of his remarkable ascension. He became a Partner in 2011, then Regional Vice-President in 2014, and since 2021, Samuel Havida has also become Interim President and CEO. His career path is exemplary. When he talks about his journey, he still evokes the idea of making the impossible possible. A vision that he applies to his clients, his colleagues and himself.

As Regional Vice-President, Samuel Havida manages a multidisciplinary team of over 750 professionals, providing a full range of services to meet the various needs of clients. His approach is that of a visionary, able to see the big picture while valuing individual effort.

“We need to know where we’re coming from, appreciate where we are, and above all else, understand where we’re heading to achieve our goals,” he says, with the conviction of a leader. Every transaction, every negotiation is guided by a single credo: unlock clients’ full potential and develop talent. For Samuel, client satisfaction is paramount and is measured by the excellence of the service provided.

Family and career

Outside his professional life, Samuel’s family circle plays a major role. “A lot of people say you can’t have everything at once. I think you can. I have a job that allows me to be a driving force for change, and I’m lucky to be sharing my life with an exceptional woman who sees only the best in every human being, and with whom I have three wonderful children.”

An extraordinary destiny

Samuel Havida’s journey is proof that sometimes chance, passion, perseverance and dedication can come together to create an extraordinary career. It’s the story of a man who, despite all obstacles, never lost sight of what was important to him: professional excellence, integrity and love for his family. Today, Samuel Havida is not only a pillar of the Firm, but also a leading figure in the Montréal business community and a role model for many.

What are the best ways for standing out during an interview and making the most of your internship with us?

At the firm, we value teamwork and openness. You will be involved in a wide range of assignments in a spirit of autonomy and collaboration. This is an opportunity for you to learn and discover what you like to do.

Participate in our events

First of all, take part in on-campus activities and meet our recruiters. We make the rounds of colleges and universities every year. Keep up to date by subscribing to our LinkedIn, Facebook Recrutement Campus and Instagram pages.

Remember that while autumn is the peak recruitment period for internships, our firm offers opportunities all year long.

Develop your network

Having a good network of contacts increases your chances of hearing about internships and taking advantage of opportunities to develop your career.

Our firm specializes in several fields. By remaining current and getting involved with different teams during your internships, you’ll be able to broaden your skills and find the field that interests you most.

Ask questions

Don’t hesitate to ask questions of your peers during your studies and internship with the team. Make yourself known to our firm’s university ambassadors and ask them to tell you about their experience. You can also speak directly to recruiters via their LinkedIn account or on site at recruiting events. They’re there to answer your questions and talk with you.

During your internships, you will be given a great deal of autonomy, but you will be guided by an experienced mentor and your manager. They are there to help you find your way. What you learn at school and what you actually do in the field with clients are two different things. On a work day, you’ll put everything you’ve learned into practice, but in a different way. It’s normal to question which way to proceed and how to do things. Ask your mentor and colleagues for clarification; they’re there to help you.

It’s not a competition and we don’t expect you to be proficient at the start. Your desire to learn and motivation to work are your best assets for progress.

In interviews and internships, be curious and get involved

For your interview, just be yourself. It’s a time for talking. Prepare all your questions about the internship and the whole process. Think about the type of work and atmosphere you want. This will help you in your discussion with the recruiter.

Don’t expect very technical questions. Here, we’re primarily interested in finding out about your interests and how you work, to see if you have the potential to grow within the firm and be happy as part of our teams.

You should also think about the accounting field in which you want to do your internship. Our firm has several business lines, so the possibilities are many and varied. Have an open and genuine attitude. It counts for a lot.

Visit our Students and interns section for more information. Talk to our ambassadors and recruiters. They’ll be happy to chat with you.