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A firm like ours plays host to people with different backgrounds, interests, personalities and expertise.
Félix-Antoine Ste-Marie, Tax Manager, talks about his career path and what drives him.
How is your career path unique?
I don’t know if I’d say that my career path is unique. There are many lawyers who decide to specialize in tax! But, in an accounting firm, I believe that this background gives me a certain perspective that has definitely helped me progress.
I have a Bachelor of Law, I studied common law, I’m a member of the Bar and I have a Master of Tax. It was a long process that eventually led me here. I was hired as a Consultant. After a year, I was appointed Senior Consultant and the following year, Manager.
If I was able to quickly take on more responsibility, I think it’s because I “landed” in a firm that doesn’t curb advancement. With the right attitude, the desire to learn and the necessary technical skills, you move forward quickly.
In your opinion, what’s the key to success?
If there’s one thing to remember in any job, but especially in tax, it’s this: no one expects you to have all the answers.
In school, we study the basics, but in the field, it’s something else entirely. The source of a problem is not always obvious, and the solution even less so. We’re usually in grey areas. Clients—often business leaders—have objectives in mind, and our team must find the best way to achieve them, taking many parameters into account.
Through all this, I serve as a kind of interpreter, a bridge between law firms, the authorities and accounting. This is where belonging to a multidisciplinary firm becomes a major asset. I have access to a wide range of expertise and points of view that allow me to delve into the problem and come up with a solution that I wouldn’t have considered otherwise.
By drawing on the wealth of our collective knowledge, we can help our clients more effectively. And that’s always our goal: to support people who are passionate about their business so they can grow and prosper. Their passion is contagious and motivates me to constantly develop my skills and always do better.
So, here’s my advice to succeed: ask questions, believe in yourself, never hesitate to ask for help and surround yourself with colleagues who want to see you progress.