On September 23, 2023, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton will be turning 75. Three quarters of a century building vibrant communities by supporting local entrepreneurs and leaders in order to drive their organizations forward with more efficiency, innovation and agility.

As the accounting firm most admired by Quebeckers (according to Léger), we are still a leader in the Québec, Ottawa and Edmundston markets. That is the result of the passion, professionalism and ambition that have constantly inspired Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton’s leaders to build a Firm that is continually more innovative and dedicated to the success of organizations.

Today considered one of the largest professional service firms in Québec, Raymond Chabot & Cie, founded by Jacques Raymond and Guy Chabot in September 1948, has become the partner of choice for local managers and entrepreneurs.

A little history

Chartered accountants Jacques Raymond and Guy Chabot founded Raymond Chabot & Cie in Montréal. Shortly afterwards (1949), Guy Martin joined them, followed by Jacques Paré in 1950. The Firm officially became Raymond, Chabot, Martin, Paré, Chartered Accountants. The year 1981 marked its affiliation with Grant Thornton International.

“Being part of the Grant Thornton global network is a major asset for our clients and teams. With the help of professionals in every corner of the globe, leaders now benefit from support that matches their ambitions,” says Nathalie Boyer, the Firm’s Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. Turnaround and insolvency services were also being launched that same year.

Nearly 50 years passed before the Firm changed its name to the one we know today. Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton currently boasts more than 2,800 professionals in some 100 offices in Québec, Ottawa and Edmundston. Visit our website for some of the Firm’s history highlights.

A one-stop shop for decision-makers

A wide range of expertise has emerged, enabling the Firm to play a leading role in consulting services. Whether it’s the recruiting and immigration subsidiary AURAY, cybersecurity with the VARS division, or online tax return services with TAXŌ, by way of financial performance technologies, cryptocurrency auditing with Catallaxy or the partnership with the Centre québécois de formation en fiscalité, the Firm has evolved and will continue to do so in line with the needs of organizations.

The Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) profession has also considerably changed since the Firm was founded. “Accountants have become true business advisers. Their tasks are more diverse and complex, making their work very interesting. It has become a truly exciting profession,” says Samuel Havida, Regional Vice-President and Interim President and CEO of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton.

With such a track record, we have a right to ask how the Firm sees the future.

In response, Sam says: “The next few years will bring their share of challenges for entrepreneurs and leaders, that’s for sure. We are agile and always on the lookout for the best the world has to offer. We’ll be around for a long time to come to ensure the sustainable growth and longevity of our organizations.”

Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton sincerely thanks all of its clients, business partners and talent for their trust. Thanks to their invaluable contribution over the decades, combined with the vision and boldness of all the Firm’s leaders, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton intends to remain a professional services leader for at least another 75 years!

Take a look at our new corporate video portraying our dynamic, innovative Firm.

Succeeding Guy Fauteux, who has held this key position since 2015, our Partner Sylvain Gilbert has been appointed Cantons-de-l’Est Regional Vice-President of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton. His appointment took effect on September 8, 2023.

Sylvain Gilbert has in-depth knowledge of the Cantons-de-l’Est’ entrepreneurial and business realities, and of the needs of its entrepreneurs and leaders. For more than 25 years, he has diligently and effectively served his clients through a variety of assignments, particularly in the tax field.

“We share our clients’ concerns, and it’s part of our mission to support them and take them further. Things move fast! There are many organizational changes, technology is now omnipresent, markets and our profession are modernizing, and we have to be continually on the move to adapt. That’s what we do for our clients,” Sylvain Gilbert enthusiastically pointed out.

Specialized in tax, Mr Gilbert is a seasoned communicator and experienced manager. He actively contributes to the Firm’s reputation by regularly commenting on tax news in the media and defending the interests of the business community through various public positions.

He has been with the Firm since 1997. In 2009, he made Partner and 10 years later joined the Partnership Board, a seat he held until 2023. He now sits on the Firm’s Network Executive Committee, succeeding Mr Fauteux.

Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Guy Fauteux for his rich contribution to the Firm’s growth and success in this great region. Mr Fauteux will be enjoying a well-deserved retirement as of December 31, 2023.

Sylvain’s new Regional Vice-President role fittingly builds on his brilliant career. He intends to actively support the next generation and pursue the growth of the Cantons-de-l’Est region, which is made up of some 400 employees who are passionate about continually boosting local businesses.

Partner and Licensed Insolvency Trustee at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, Dominic Deslandes is now a member of the Insolvency Institute of Canada (IIC). The IIC is the main insolvency organization for the private sector in the country. It is dedicated to the recognition and promotion of excellence in insolvency. Its members are among Canada’s most experienced insolvency professionals.

“We are very proud of Dominic. He is a pillar of our Firm and a highly talented recovery and reorganization expert. Since 1999, he has contributed to Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton’s success through his expertise and the quality of his work. Dominic is greatly appreciated by his clients and peers. This esteemed appointment is well deserved,” said Nicolas Boily, Vice-President of the Firm’s Recovery and Reorganization Group.

The entire Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton team would like to congratulate Dominic on this important recognition and wish him many more years of success with the Firm.