Do CPAs Make Good CEOs?
CPAs Make Great CEOs
What does it take to lead? For John McKenzie, FCPA, FCMA, CEO of TMX Group, Meghan Roach, FCPA, FCA, President & CEO of Roots Corporation, and Alycia Calvert, FCPA, FCA, Chair & CEO of EY Canada, the answer is clear: their CPA designation. In boardrooms and C-Suites across Canada, CPAs are providing the kind of visionary leadership that is driving business forward.
CPAs Are Built for Leadership
Businesses rely on leaders who think critically, analyze effectively and make sound decisions. CPAs embody these qualities, bringing not only financial expertise but also strategic insight, operational discipline, and ethical leadership.
“As a business leader, you have an obligation to advocate for positions that make your business or Canada’s economy more competitive. As a CPA, I draw on my CPA skills to formulate policies that make Canadian companies more successful.”
— John McKenzie, FCPA, FCMA, CEO, TMX Group
Skills That Scale to the C-Suite
The CPA designation is more than three letters after your name. It’s a launchpad to leadership.
“When I was younger, I never dreamed of leading a public company. The CPA designation gave me a foundation that made it possible."
— Meghan Roach, FCPA, FCA, President & CEO, Roots Corporation
A World of Possibilities
The CPA designation opens doors, fuels ambition and equips you to lead with impact at the highest levels.
“Being a CPA meant I didn’t have to choose just one path. It opened up a whole world of possibilities.”
— Alycia Calvert, FCPA, FCA, Chair & CEO, EY Canada
Learn How CPAs Lead with Impact
Real Leaders, Real Results
John McKenzie, FCPA, FCMA, leads TMX Group with a CPA’s lens on strategy, risk, and long-term value. Meghan Roach, FCPA, FCA drives growth at Roots Corporation by blending financial insight with consumer intuition. Alycia Calvert, FCPA, FCA helps global firms navigate disruption and transformation with trusted leadership and strategic foresight. All three leaders credit their CPA foundation for their ability to lead.
“CPAs drive business forward by thinking about what is next. As a CPA, you are not just looking at the business today, you are looking at how the business needs to adapt and evolve going forward.”
— Meghan Roach, FCPA, FCA, President & CEO, Roots Corporation
“It’s not just about having technical skills. It’s about translating insight into action—and making every decision better.”
— John McKenzie, FCPA, FCMA, CEO, TMX Group
“CPAs bring the ability to think strategically, to really understand the full picture and come to thoughtful decisions that help lead business forward.”
— Alycia Calvert, FCPA, FCA, Chair & CEO, EY Canada
