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At Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, there are numerous professionals who have had unparalleled career paths. Alain Lacasse is one of them.
His life merges the rigour of numbers with the brilliance of cinema. He is the perfect example of what passion and commitment can bring to a profession that is often overlooked.
“My family heritage laid the foundations for my vocation,” confides Alain, who has been a partner in the firm for 18 years. The son of accountants, he grew up in an environment where dinner table discussions often revolved around the many opportunities offered by the profession.
This immersion from an early age spiked his curiosity and desire to discover the many facets of accounting. “My career with the firm began traditionally, but quickly led me to the film and television sectors,” he says.
Accounting: A movie adventure
Alain specializing in the film and television industry wasn’t scripted in advance. A two-month assignment in Toronto for Coscient Group, now known as Zone3, was the trigger for this epic journey. He remembers his first contact with the industry, which took him all the way to Cannes!
“For me, Cannes is where relationships are forged,” explains Alain. By participating in the International Television Market (MIPTV) and the International Market for Communication Programs (MIPCOM), he not only broadened his network, but he also enhanced his professional approach, demonstrating that today’s accountant is far from the dusty image of yesteryear! “People are often surprised to discover that the modern accountant is actually a business partner,” he adds.
Alain is adamant, “At Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, we don’t work with machines, we work with people.” This adage guides his professional philosophy. He has forged genuine friendships and cultivated a team spirit extending beyond the office walls. These authentic human relationships are at the heart of customer satisfaction and that of the firm’s employees.
Social commitment: An echo of professionalism
“Giving back is a principle close to my heart,” says Alain with conviction. Whether at Théâtre La Licorne or Québec Cinéma, his involvement is a way of expressing his gratitude to an industry that has given him so much.
His role in the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie and other causes also testifies to this philosophy of continuous giving, and reinforces the firm’s philanthropic presence in the community.
Family: A cornerstone
For Alain, family is the foundation of everything. Father of three boys, Loïc, Timoté and Jule, he shares his values and love of life through sport, arts and travel. “They are my pride and joy. My children are going to be better than me,” he likes to say.
He praises the latitude and flexibility offered by the firm. “It’s this freedom that enables me to be there for my family while continuing to devote myself fully to my clients,” says Alain.
A mentor for future generations
He has witnessed how the accounting profession has changed. “Before, one accountant could manage several areas. Today, the complex rules demand a high level of specialization,” he explains.
Within the firm, accountants are like general practitioners, directing their clients to the appropriate specialists, thereby guaranteeing comprehensive, personalized care.
Passionate about mentoring, Alain invests in his colleagues’ development and celebrates each promotion as a group victory. “For me, happiness at work means helping talented people to blossom, watching them grow to become accomplished professionals,” he says enthusiastically.
A model of accessibility and exchange
Alain embodies the approachability and friendliness characteristic of the Firm’s spirit. He remembers how, as a young recruit, he could speak freely with the experienced partners, a practice he continues today. “Trainees don’t hesitate to knock on my door, and I make it my duty to answer them with the same kindness I enjoyed.”
When confronted with challenges, he maintains a positive outlook, “Every mistake is a lesson; the important thing is not to repeat them. That’s how you learn,” he says with a smile.
Changing the stereotypes of the accounting profession
Will his sons carry on the family adventure? Alain remains open-minded. One of them is interested in finance, but should they decide to take different paths, he will support them with the same passion as for defending the accounting profession.
In fact, he shares an anecdote about one of his sons rejecting a professional stereotype: “When Timoté was in high school, he went to see a guidance counselor who advised him against becoming an accountant because he found my son too sociable and was afraid he might get bored! Timoté replied: My dad’s an accountant and he’s quite sociable. I’m not sure you have the right idea of what this profession is all about,” laughs Alain.
Alain Lacasse is more than just a partner. He’s a mentor, an inspiring colleague, a loyal friend and a devoted father. He is living proof that accounting is not just about balance sheets and audits, but that it is profoundly human and enriching. At Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, this is how we redefine happiness at work, one story, one balance sheet, one meeting at a time.