About Us
Magnus LLP Chartered Professional Accountants
Magnus LLP Chartered Professional Accountants is a Winnipeg based professional advisory firm providing services primarily to large non-listed entities, owner managed business and not-for-profit organizations based in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. We have provided assurance, tax and business advisory services to our clients since 1975. With a professional staff of approximately 20 individuals, including 15 Chartered Accountants, Chartered Professional Accountants or Certified General Accountants, our firm’s office is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Our clients:
Owner-managed business: Comprising the largest part of our practice, we provide assurance, taxation and transaction support to owner-managed businesses in Western Canada and Ontario. In a variety of sectors including manufacturing, distribution, retail and service industries, we serve clients ranging from small operations up to $100+ Million in annual revenue and 300+ employees in size.
Not-for-profit entities: Providing audit services to many Manitoba based not-for-profit sector entities with annual budgets of up to $20 Million, our firm has a focused team that is familiar with the unique accounting, reporting and regulatory environments for not-for-profit entities. In a cost-efficient manner, we also provide numerous special audit reports to various funding agencies and comprehensive annual tax filings.
Large non-listed entities: Our firm provides audit services to for large private entities, usually reporting under the IFRS accounting framework that have large and diverse ownership groups. We are extremely knowledgeable in the IFRS accounting framework, as well as working closely with such entities Audit committees as part of discharging their fiduciary duties.
Leadership Profiles
Brian Highfield, CPA, CA
Partner
Brian joined Magnus in 2004 and obtained his Chartered Accountant designation in 2007 after completing his articling experience. During his time with the firm, Brian has worked with a wide variety of clientele and provides a wide range of entities with assurance, accounting, tax and business advisory services. Brian’s specialty has increasingly focused on owner-managed businesses that require advanced short and long-term tax planning combined with estate wealth retention needs.
Graduating from the University of Manitoba in 2004 and practicing in the public accounting profession since 2007, Brian is committed to developing long-term professional relationships with all of his clients by taking a personalized approach, understanding their needs and expectations, and providing practical and cost effective solutions.
In his spare time, Brian enjoys travelling the world and relaxing with his wife.
Contact information:
Direct line: (204) 272-7566
E-mail: BTH@MagnusLLP.ca
Blair Magnus, B. Comm (Hons.), CA
Partner in charge of Audit
Obtaining his Chartered Accountant designation in 1999, Blair came to Magnus from KPMG LLP – one of the world’s top four largest international accounting firms. Blair is the partner in charge of assurance and acts as audit partner on the majority of our firm’s audit clients and all of our firm’s publicly listed clients. In addition to audit services, Blair is also the lead partner in the provision of our Transaction Support Services, overseeing due diligence engagements and business valuations.
Graduating from the University of Manitoba in 1996 and practicing in the public accounting profession since 1997, Blair strives to establish long-term professional relationships with all of his clients and to develop a comprehensive understanding of his clients’ operations and financial affairs in order to contribute to the strategic financial planning and operational decision making that occurs through a clients’ fiscal year.
Contact information:
Direct line: (204) 272-7562
E-mail: BMM@MagnusLLP.ca
Brett Magnus, B. Comm (Hons.), CA
Partner in charge of Tax
Obtaining his Chartered Accountant designation in 1994, Brett came to Magnus from PricewaterhouseCoopers – one of the world’s top four largest international accounting firms. Brett is the partner in charge of tax and acts as the primary tax advisor on all non-routine taxation matters, including corporate re-organizations, estate plans, international taxation matters and due diligence engagements. Brett successfully completed the CICA In-Depth Tax Course, considered to be the “gold standard” by Canadian taxation practitioners.
In addition, Brett has a large client base that consists primarily of owner managed businesses that require assurance and taxation services.
Graduating from the University of Manitoba in 1990 and practicing in the public accounting profession since 1991, Brett is considered to be a leading tax practitioner in the Winnipeg business community.
Contact information:
Direct line: (204) 272-7561
E-mail: BJM@MagnusLLP.ca
Robert Neufeld, CGA
Principal
Rob joined Magnus in 2006 after being in public practice for over 12 years. Prior to joining the firm, Rob worked in the small enterprise group at KPMG LLP. Rob obtained his CGA designation in 1998 and completed the CICA In-Depth Tax course in 2003.
Rob’s primary area of practice is corporate and personal tax planning for our smaller owner-managed businesses. Rob’s detailed knowledge of corporate and personal taxation matters allow him to provide valuable and intelligent tax planning advice to clients cost effectively.
In addition, Rob has extensive knowledge on taxation issues surrounding the mining and exploration industry and estate planning matters for small business owners.
Contact information:
Direct line: (204) 272-7564
E-mail: RJN@MagnusLLP.ca
Ronnie Aaron, CA
Principal
Obtaining his Chartered Accountant Designation in the 1980’s, Ronnie came to Magnus from Ernst & Young – one of the world’s top four largest international accounting firms. Prior to joining the firm, Ronnie was a partner at both Andersen and Ernst & Young for over 20 years. Ronnie completed the CICA In-Depth Tax Course.
Ronnie provides his clients with professional advice on financial reporting, corporate, trust and personal tax planning and compliance and sound business advice. Ronnie works with clients to address their priorities and develop solutions based on their objectives.
Ronnie’s focus with clients is on tax minimization, profitability, corporate restructuring, obtaining financing and working with their lawyers in providing sound succession planning from the onset of an engagement. His clients are local businesses in varying industries, professional corporations (medical, dental and legal) and a large personal tax practice.
Over the past 35 years, Ronnie has volunteered his time to many charitable organizations including private schools, performing arts groups, foundations and community service organizations.
Contact information:
Direct line: (204) 282-9974
E-mail: RBA@MagnusLLP.ca
Kelli Kolaski, B. Comm (Hons.), M. Acc, CPA, CA
Firm Leader – Assurance / Not-for-Profit
Kelli Kolaski obtained her Chartered Accountant designation in 1997 after completing the Masters of Accountancy program at the University of Manitoba in 1995. Kelli articled with KPMG LLP – one of the world’s largest international public accounting firms then worked with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada prior to joining Magnus LLP in 2009. Kelli has a strong technical background and extensive experience providing assurance and related services to clients in both the public and private sectors.
Kelli Kolaski oversees the provision of assurance and related services to our firm’s not-for-profit and charitable organizations. Kelli takes great pride in working with each of her clients to obtain a thorough understanding of their overall operating objectives and social purpose in order to provide value added services that are efficient and effective. Kelli is very familiar with the unique governance and financial reporting and other issues faced by many not-for-profit and charitable organizations and provides sound advice and financial solutions tailored to each client’s specific industry in order to help her clients achieve their overall operational, social and financial reporting objectives.
Kelli also works closely with Blair maintaining our firm’s quality control policies and procedures and training staff on changes to accounting, assurance and other professional standards.
Contact information:
Direct line: (204) 272-7557
E-mail: KLK@MagnusLLP.ca
Corri Ridgedale, B. Comm (Hons.), CPA, CA
Firm Leader – Assurance
Corri Ridgedale obtained her Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba in 2002 and obtained her Chartered Accountant designation in 2005 after completing her articling period with Magnus LLP. Corri has extensive audit/assurance experience and has worked on a number of audit and review engagements in both the public and private sectors.
Corri provides assurance and related services to our firm’s profit-oriented and many of our not-for-profit clients. Corri works closely with Blair Magnus (our firm’s Partner in Charge of Audit) providing assurance, tax, consulting and other related services to a number of clients including not-for-profit organizations and profit-oriented enterprises. In addition, Corri oversees our firm’s hiring and recruiting processes.
Corri has developed long-standing professional relationships with her clients and continues to develop these relationships with new clients. She works closely with her clients to assist them with their overall business objectives while providing sound advice to service all of their needs and strives to provide the best service possible to all of her clients.
Contact information:
Direct line: (204) 272-7565
E-mail: CDR@MagnusLLP.ca