Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers (2025) - Flipbook - Page 24
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CANADA'S TOP SMALL & MEDIUM EMPLOYERS (2025)
Crowe always accounts for the value of the human touch
F
or Justin Purcell, the
lead-up to his job with
Montréal-based accounting firm Crowe BGK LLP
was serendipitous. In 2020, when
he was still working on his bachelor’s degree in accounting, he fell
into conversation with Crowe chief
operating officer Ingrid Jensen at
a networking event and, he recalls,
“we had this synergy from the start
and connected on a human level.”
When he applied for an
internship at Crowe a short time
later, partner Richard Schnurbach
reinforced his sense he was on the
right path. “I was never a topperforming student in my
accounting courses, and I distinctly remember Richard asking me,
‘So, what happened?’” he says.
“I explained how I had really
struggled with the transition from
music school to business school —
I had no background in it. Richard
smiled at me and replied, ‘Wow,
someone who is actually honest
with us today.’ It was then I knew I
had found my place.”
Purcell, now a senior auditor at
Crowe, has been at the firm for
more than three and a half years,
including two four-month internships, and notes that the sense he’s
in his ideal job has several facets.
“One of the top things that comes
to mind is the human connection
with the people I work with. You’re
able to be your authentic self,
and you really feel treated like a
person.
“People might think work in accounting means you need to look
serious all the time,” he continues,
“but I feel comfortable being the
open and funny person I am.”
Purcell is currently working on
his graduate diploma in chartered
professional accountancy (CPA),
which he expects to complete in
September. And he says Crowe
has been hugely supportive of his
studies.
“My education has not had to
take a back seat at any point. I’ve
never felt like I’ve had to be shy to
ask for an extra day or two off to
prepare for my studies, or if I’m
not understanding a certain topic,
to approach a manager or another
senior on my team and be like,
‘Hey, I’m having difficulties with
this. Do you mind helping me?’”
Purcell points out that Crowe
offers a grade-point-average
incentive for CPA students who
exceed a certain mark, something
he’s benefited from, as well as a
bonus once they’ve achieved that
designation.
“Our largest asset is our employees,” says partner Amanda
Cappiello, who heads an assurance and consulting team that
includes Purcell, “so we really do
“OUR LARGEST ASSET IS OUR EMPLOYEES, SO WE REALLY
DO OUR BEST TO INVEST IN THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
AND REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR
IN THEIR CAREERS.”
— Amanda Cappiello, Partner
Crowe BGK values mentorship and ensures partners work closely with employees on a regular basis.
