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International tax is complex for organizations and requires the contribution of experts who master the various aspects.

Thanks to e-commerce, it has never been easier to do business internationally and more and more companies are deciding to open up to new markets.

This is often the time when they need advice on the tax consequences of their cross-border operations. Let’s talk with Maryse Janelle, Partner, International and Commodity Taxes.

What is your path?

I started my career as a lawyer in youth justice, family law, matrimonial law and prison law. At a certain point, I decided to make a career change and decided to do a Master of Taxation. It was a field that had interested me for a long time. I was then hired by a firm where I worked for 10 years and after that I joined Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton in 2005. I have been a commodity tax partner since 2013.

What is your tax specialty?

I manage the Commodity Tax Practice Group, which assists foreign businesses with their projects on the Canadian market and supports Canadian companies wishing to develop their market outside Canada.

By implementing commodity tax control processes and systems, we help companies meet their indirect tax obligations (GST, HST, QST, provincial sales taxes, U.S. sales and use taxes, European value-added taxes, etc.). We must also ensure that we take advantage of all tax refund possibilities and capitalize on opportunities to limit the impact of indirect taxes on the company’s operations.

What is special about our practice is that we ask a lot of questions! Sometimes clients want things to move faster, but we really do need all the information to verify that the tax treatment is correct, that applicable taxes are collected and remitted, and that all taxes payable have been paid. Details that may seem irrelevant at times are of critical importance when it comes to tax treatment.

What kind of assignments do you have?

We work with companies from different industries: finance, information technology, manufacturing, import-export, public sector (cities, charities, schools, etc.).

Growing businesses targeting the international market are keeping us busy. Online sales make it easier to do business abroad, but this brings about its own set of tax requirements. Companies must comply with the tax laws of other jurisdictions. It’s important to ensure that the processes are adequate so there are no surprises.

But tax is not just about numbers. We have to research the businesses that contact us. I’ve even visited factories to understand the production process, among other things. Being curious about our clients’ businesses is the key to becoming a good commodity tax practitioner.

How is work organized within your teams?

We work a lot with the different departments in the firm. For example, we could work with the transactional team, with regard to financing, to see if the value of an acquired company is truly what the company is claiming.

We also assist our assurance partners to ensure that financial statements reflect the value of the business and that no material risks relating to the application of sales taxes are omitted from the financial statements.

We can also collaborate with our corporate tax colleagues when a company is reorganizing to ensure that the proposed transactions do not have an impact on sales taxes or that the impact is minimal and handled.

We also work with our Grant Thornton International colleagues who have clients doing business here. These clients may be required to register and collect various Canadian sales taxes.

On the other hand, network experts support us when our local entrepreneurs develop new markets outside North America. It’s an enriching sharing of resources and an opportunity for some experts. Recently, a colleague who had worked in the Paris office joined the Québec indirect tax team. One of our resources went to work for a year in the Sydney, Australia office.

What do you think sets Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton apart from the competition?

Our firm is focused on the economic development of Québec, with management in Québec, decisions made in Québec, for Québec entrepreneurs. This hits home to me.

What motivates you the most in your work?

One of the great things about being a tax specialist is that, because of the variety of assignments we get, we learn something new every day. Some professionals choose to specialize in certain areas, such as U.S. sales taxes, the public sector, technology, cryptocurrencies, etc. There is something for everyone.

Are you involved as an expert in the community?

I am Vice-Chair of the Commodity Tax, Customs and Trade Section of the Canadian Bar Association. I have taught taxation in several universities and I participate in the International Trade Acceleration Program of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. I also give many conferences to different professional associations. I am passionate about communication. I loved to plead!

Which professional achievement are you most proud of?

One of my proudest accomplishments is my team. It is to enable professionals to evolve, develop and grow. If everyone goes further within the team, it helps the team to go further.

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Of course, you know how to count, and the salary and benefits are important considerations when choosing your employer.

However, over and above the numbers, what will drive you to be the best you can be? What will make you happy and help you showcase your talents to the fullest?

Here are five key points to consider when choosing the ideal employer.

Flexibility

The pandemic has probably changed how you view your work-life balance. Schedules, location and work arrangements have become integral development components.

Between two (or more) options, you can evaluate which employer provides the best tools and technologies for telework, or which one offers health and wellness programs adapted to your situation. Access to remote healthcare, flexible hours, or reimbursement of home maintenance expenses are all benefits that can make your life a lot easier.

Team spirit

The bonds we form at work are essential to our sense of belonging. Shared laughter, open communication and the feeling of being part of a team can make a difference in our daily lives.

When choosing an employer, it’s a good idea to look at the organization’s culture. You can do this by looking at its website and social media, or better yet, by talking to employees.

  • Where do diversity and inclusion fit in the team?
  • How are individuals able to communicate their ideas and express their creativity?
  • What is the reporting structure and proximity to the manager?
  • What about the work environment?

The answers to these questions will provide a good indicator of the organizational climate.

The opportunity to learn… and take action

Will you be able to satisfy your curiosity and your need for challenges? In professional services firms, the opportunity to grow and expand your role as a business consultant to clients is often a powerful motivator.

By collaborating with colleagues from a variety of specialties, constantly upgrading your knowledge through training, and interacting with leaders in your field, you’ll become a sought-after collaborator who challenges the status quo and propels business growth.

Take the time to assess the reputation of the entity and its experts, the degree of innovation in its business model and, of course, its training programs.

Professional growth

You’ll work hard in your new job and will want to be recognized for your efforts.

  • Will the employer be able to live up to your ambitions?
  • Depending on your goals, will they help you move up the ladder, specialize or discover new areas of expertise?
  • Will you have the opportunity to explore a new environment by moving to another region?

A human-sized firm will undoubtedly allow you to evolve at a pace that suits you and will offer you a multitude of opportunities if it’s large enough (or even better, if it has an international network).

Clients

As a CPA, tax specialist or consultant, your clients are at the heart of what you do. In a way, their projects, challenges and ambitions become yours. It’s therefore essential to be aware of the assignments you will be given.

  • Will you always work with the same type of clients, or will you accompany private and public organizations of all sizes and in different sectors?
  • Will you be working with world leaders in a niche market?
  • Will you support a small business that wants to make a difference in its region?

Access to people at the grassroots, to decision-makers and to different business networks, as well as the agility to make important decisions at the right time, could have a decisive effect on your projects, while allowing you to build a solid professional network.

Obviously, we believe our firm is your best career choice. Discover life at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton for yourself.

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Here are a series of questions (FAQ) to answer your main concerns about internships at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton.

You can of course contact us at any time if you want to know more.

Recruitment process

Internship experience

Career with us

When are the internship periods?

The internship or practical experience periods differ by region and by team.

Winter

Winter internships generally start in January, after the Holiday break, and end just before the start of the summer term, in April.

Summer

Summer internships generally start in May. We guarantee a summer internship of at least ten weeks. However, depending on the teams’ needs, the period may be extended.

Fall

We also offer internships for that time of the year, but the start date and duration differ depending on the team.

When can CEGEP students apply for an internship? Is it better to contact the manager of the location where I would like to intern?

If your professional or CEGEP studies are in process, you can apply at any time for a College Internship directly on our website. The best time to apply for a spring college internship is from December to February.

What are recruiters looking for when assessing good candidates?

At Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, we’re looking for candidates who show initiative and have the ability to collaborate in order to complete assignments, while progressing within our teams. As this is an internship, we do not ask for any specific experience because our goal is to support the development of skills and knowledge. We only ask for an up-to-date transcript in order to assess whether candidates are on track to succeed if they wish to continue their studies. We will also be able to support and equip them to reach this goal if they have some difficulties.

How can I prepare for the interview?

Our interviews are really in a discussion format. We want to get to know the candidates and see if they have the potential to grow within our teams. Our interviews are not designed to trap candidates on technical topics.

These video clips provide information and tools for future interns.

I’ve heard that winter internships are during the busy period. Would a fall internship be as interesting from a tasks and pace perspective?

Absolutely, and some of our teams have busier periods in the summer and fall. However, a winter internship still provides the most training as it comes at a busy time for everyone.

Do you offer internships in areas other than audit?

We have opportunities in tax, advisory services and IT.

Are the internships online or in person?

Since we have been allowed to work on our premises again, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton has adopted a hybrid work model.

Can I do a fulltime internship while studying part-time?

Yes, you can. A good example is Graduate Certificate or National Program students who work on a fulltime basis in our teams.

Do you offer internships outside Montréal?

Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton has some 100 offices across the network. They are primarily in Québec, but also in Ottawa and Edmundston. We offer internships in the four corners of the province, in Bas-Saint-Laurent, Abitibi and Saguenay.

What is the biggest challenge interns face?

Applying the theory learned in school and putting it into practice. The process and experience are quite different. However, mentors are available to accompany you and help you develop your work structure in order to proceed step by step in carrying out an assignment.

What are Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton’s performance evaluation measures during the internship and what do I need to achieve?

Internships are really about learning. They’re not about performance and competition, but rather collaboration and learning to develop interns for their future accounting careers. Mentors and colleagues are available if certain tasks or aspects are more difficult to assimilate.

What can you tell me about Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton’s corporate culture?

Teamwork, collaboration and fun are essential. You will have the opportunity to join our mentoring program. You will be followed by a CPA mentor and supervised by an experienced manager. Their goal is to guide and support your professional development along the way.

What are Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton’s diversity measures?

A cross-disciplinary action committee made up of partners and employees from all regions has been set up to promote inclusion and diversity through various clear objectives that will directly impact the firm’s decisions:

  • Promote a human resources management philosophy that respects employment equity;
  • Encourage employees to voluntarily identify themselves as members of a designated diversity group;
  • Develop an employment equity plan, including quantitative goals for closing representation gaps;
  • Regularly inform all employees of actions taken and progress made in achieving employment equity.

“There are many benefits to having a diverse and inclusive corporate culture, starting with greater potential for innovation and a stronger sense of belonging. Within our firm, the values of diversity and inclusion must be reflected every day in our behaviours, in all our regions, at all levels.” – Christine Regimbal, Diversity and Inclusion Leader

How will the practical experience help me in my accounting career?

In the words of an intern: “With an internship, you get a vision of things that is much more practical and true-to-life. At the Graduate Certificate level, there are a lot of simulations. It is therefore easier to make comparisons with what you learned during the internship. Also, when you start an internship at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, you have to quickly develop your resourcefulness, self-sufficiency and work discipline, and that carries over into your studies afterwards.”

Do you have job opportunities after the CFE?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, with some of our internships, especially in assurance and audit, we offer the possibility of doing all your internships within our teams and coming back as a permanent employee after you’ve passed the CFE to start your career with us.

We offer permanent position opportunities for those who have successfully completed the CFE so they can complete the internship requirement for their CPA designation.

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Moving up in a business is quite challenging. Find out what an expert from our firm has to say about doing it the right way.

A member of our team since his first internship in 2010, it is fair to say that Vincent d’Auteuil, now Senior Manager – Transaction Support, has rapidly risen through the ranks. Looking back on his career, he shared some tips that helped him quickly make his mark.

1. Ask questions

Vincent is adamant that curiosity is the best ally for entering the job market. He believes that the most promising candidates are those who discuss their questions with their team and who are constantly looking for ways to improve.

The worst mistake, he says, is not being honest about your assigned tasks. The repercussions can be detrimental in terms of time and resources. His advice is clear: “Never hesitate to ask questions to help you understand your work. This can only be beneficial in your superior’s eyes and will make your job much easier.”

2. Take a step back

What do you bring to the team? It’s important to think about what you can contribute. This way, you also contribute to the firm’s efficiency. Take a step back and think about the various objectives of your work. This will help you better understand the motivations behind a task and perhaps suggest more effective ways to proceed. Creative and efficient people are always in demand!

3. Learn how to communicate well

During his career, Vincent has come across a number of mentors who had some sound advice for him. The most important thing he learned? Develop the ability to express yourself, to say what you think and not always say yes.

Communication between team members is fundamental. Check in with your colleagues, adjust to their ways of doing things, but stay true to yourself. Assert yourself when necessary, but always be diplomatic. Choose the right words and don’t hesitate to meet individually with your colleagues if you feel the need to express your feelings.

Empathy is an essential quality for making your way in business, so never forget to create strong bonds with your team.

4. Believe in yourself

When talking about the early days of his career, Vincent remembers that he was worried about disrupting, being annoying, not being up to the task. These feelings are normal at the beginning of your career, but you have to learn to believe in yourself. Your desire to learn and excel, your passion must override your fear.

Compromises and solutions exist; it is up to you to suggest them when you feel you need help. This unpretentious self-confidence will certainly help you progress, improve and find your place. In addition to improving your personal development, you will be able to better seize the professional opportunities available to you.

5. Find your balance

Although work is important, it should not become your only focus. There must be a balance with your private life. Vincent considers that this balance is essential to avoid falling into a damaging, stressful cycle. Knowing how to let go in the quieter periods is just as necessary as knowing how to invest yourself in your profession positively and with passion.

Ready to climb the ladder? It’s your turn to prove yourself!

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