Share
Wassim Chaouki, an accountant at the Firm, leads a well-rounded double life. He’s a numbers expert by day and a sports enthusiast by night.
Wassim Chaouki is not a typical accountant. This 26-year-old powerhouse embodies both the liveliness of a high-performance athlete and the acuity of an accounting professional. Wassim is an emeritus member of his former Université Laval Rouge et Or club where he made an impact both on and off the soccer field. Now he channels the same passion and discipline into his accounting career and his infectious energy inspires his colleagues and clients.
An unusual path from handball to accounting
Wassim’s endless energy comes from his high school sports-study programs where he showed a talent for handball. However, this was only the beginning and he went on to earn a black belt in taekwondo and practice basketball, among other things.
“I’ve always had a lot of energy,” explained Wassim. This intensity has been at the company’s service since his first day on the job. This graduate in business administration and accounting quickly found his feet and successfully adapted his team spirit and sports discipline to the world of finance.
Happiness at work through balancing passion and profession
Wassim believes that happiness at work comes from a sense of achievement and community. “What I particularly enjoy here is the feeling of solidarity and the opportunity for advancement,” he stated. This mindset is reflected in his involvement in activities outside of the office such as team-building retreats that strengthen employee cohesion and trust.
“My colleagues in the office have the same profile as me and we share the same interests,” he pointed out enthusiastically. “This helps us to build relationships. And if we have to stay late in the office to wrap up a file, it’s a fun experience.”
An accountant and business partner
“Some people still think of accountants as boring characters with brown socks, but that’s far from the truth,” exclaimed Wassim. At Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, Wassim works with clients such as NFPOs, cooperatives, hospitals and SMEs. He likes to share the funny story of how he spent time counting pigs on a farm for a client. He cherishes his close relationships with his clients and believes they are essential to his role.
Balancing sports, work and personal life
Wassim has never stopped playing sports and enjoys soccer, cycling, running and golf. His years spent on a soccer field have taught him how to manage stress and this is reflected in his work. In 2021, he scored the winning goal for his former team that secured a place in the final of a major university competition. These days, he juggles his career and passions and still manages to spend quality time with his family. The freedom that comes from time spent outside of the office allows him to maintain his fast pace and always aim higher.
A model for the new generation of CPAs
Wassim Chaouki represents the new generation of young and committed Firm employees. Through his energy and down-to-earth approach, he shows us that we can find career satisfaction and that balancing personal and professional passions is not only possible, but also rewarding.