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PARTNER SEARCH · CANADA-WIDE
CPA Partner Recruiter.
Canada-wide.
Confidential Partner search for CPA firms building a practice, planning succession or strengthening leadership. Northbound connects firms across Canada with Tax, Audit, Assurance and Advisory leaders.
A SEARCH BUILT AROUND YOUR PRACTICE
Recruit the Partner your firm needs.
A successful Partner appointment starts with a clear business need. Is your firm replacing a retiring leader, adding technical expertise, opening a market or building a new service line? Those priorities shape the search, the people approached and the opportunity presented.
Northbound specializes exclusively in CPA firm recruitment. We have completed Partner placements in Canada and now support searches across Canada. We bring the same focus to each conversation: relevant public accounting experience, client relationships, leadership and the direction of the practice.
Succession and continuity
Identify a leader who can take responsibility for existing clients, develop the team and work through an agreed transition with retiring or departing Partners.
Practice growth
Explore established Partners and senior leaders whose expertise, relationships and business development experience complement your firm’s plans.
A path into partnership
Define whether your opportunity suits an established Partner or a Director, Principal or Senior Manager ready to be considered for a step into partnership.
PARTNER RECRUITMENT SPECIALTIES
Tax, Audit, Assurance and Advisory.
Tax Partners
Searches shaped around the actual practice: private-client and owner-managed business tax, corporate tax, international and cross-border tax, or another defined specialty. We clarify the client mix and technical requirements before approaching candidates.
Audit & Assurance Partners
Partner searches focused on engagement leadership, client relationships, audit quality and team development. We establish which industries, reporting frameworks and regulatory experience the appointment requires.
Advisory & Practice Leaders
Searches for leaders who can develop an advisory offering or strengthen an existing team. The brief should specify the service line, delivery responsibilities and expectations for winning and retaining work.
Tax Partner recruitment →
Define the tax specialty, client portfolio and leadership responsibilities your firm needs.
Audit & Assurance Partner recruitment →
Plan an assurance leadership appointment around engagement quality, client continuity and succession.
Partner search across Canada →
Start with the location, credentials and local practice requirements for the appointment.
CANADA-WIDE PARTNER SEARCH
National reach. A search shaped around your province.
Canadian CPA firm Partner recruitment
Discuss your province, office location, service lines and client mix. Whether your search is in Toronto and the GTA, Calgary, Vancouver or another Canadian market, define the professional credentials, practice experience and working arrangements the role requires.
Northbound focuses on CPA firms across Canada. Every search reflects the location, client responsibilities and professional requirements of the appointment.
Succession and practice growth
Succession searches may focus on taking over an existing portfolio. Growth searches may place more weight on developing a service line or bringing relevant client relationships. Clarify which outcome matters before setting candidate requirements.
A national search can include professionals considering relocation, with location preferences and relevant practice requirements discussed before an introduction.
THE BOOK OF BUSINESS CONVERSATION
Current revenue and portable relationships are different.
A Partner’s current book helps explain the scale and nature of their work. It does not establish how much revenue would move to a new firm. A useful discussion separates personal relationships, the current firm’s relationships and realistic transition assumptions.
Understand the revenue
Discuss service mix, recurring and project work, client concentration, relationship ownership and the Partner’s role in originating and retaining clients.
Explore the transition
Consider client choice, conflicts, timing, geographic fit and the new firm’s ability to deliver the work. Any employment or partnership restrictions need appropriate professional review.
Match the opportunity
Establish whether the firm needs a portable practice, a technical leader, a successor for existing clients or a combination. Align expectations before treating a book as part of an offer.
HOW A CONFIDENTIAL SEARCH WORKS
Clear priorities. Considered introductions.
01 · Define the opportunity
Discuss your location, service lines, client base, leadership responsibilities and reason for hiring. Clarify the partnership route, compensation structure and transition expectations.
02 · Approach and assess
Engage relevant public accounting leaders in confidential conversations. Explore their interests, experience and fit before arranging introductions with their knowledge.
03 · Support the decision
Coordinate interviews and discussions about the practice, leadership expectations and proposed terms. Keep communication clear as both sides assess the opportunity.
PREPARE YOUR SEARCH BRIEF
What to share in the first conversation.
Your firm and the appointment
Tell us where the role is based, whether the work is office-based or flexible, which service line needs leadership and why the appointment is being made. Describe the team and the responsibilities the incoming Partner would take on.
The partnership opportunity
Explain the proposed income or equity route, how compensation will be discussed, any ownership investment and the support available for a transition. Specific expectations make it easier for candidates to assess a move.
The practice and the timeline
Clarify whether clients will be transitioned internally or a portable practice is expected. Share the intended start date and any succession milestones. Distinguish requirements from preferences so the search stays focused.
FOR PARTNERS & FUTURE PARTNERS
Explore a move with a clear purpose.
If you are considering another firm, start with the kind of practice and role you want. Share your specialty, preferred location, leadership experience and priorities for a move. Where relevant, distinguish your current book from relationships that could realistically be portable.
Northbound coordinates introductions with your knowledge and interest. An initial conversation can explore your goals before your identity is shared with a prospective firm. Location-specific credentials and practice requirements are considered as part of the opportunity.
PARTNER SEARCH QUESTIONS
Before you start.
Does every Partner need a portable book?
No. Some appointments focus on succeeding a retiring Partner, leading an existing portfolio or providing technical expertise. Other firms need business development and portable relationships. The requirement depends on the search brief.
Can we discuss a search before it is advertised?
Yes. Contact Northbound to discuss the business need and the kind of leader you want to appoint. An initial conversation can help clarify the opportunity before the firm decides how to proceed.
Do you support Canada?
Yes. Northbound supports CPA firm searches across Canada. Each search reflects the firm’s location, service line, client base and relevant professional requirements.
Plan your next Partner appointment.
Connect with Alvin Strachan at Northbound Recruitment to discuss your firm’s succession and growth priorities.
Start a Confidential Conversation →Let’s discuss your hiring needs.
Discuss your firm’s next leadership appointment with our team. Our executive recruitment approach is shaped around your firm, succession plans and growth goals.
info@northboundrecruitment.com
Choose your email service to start a message to our team.
Let’s talk about your next move.
Email your résumé, preferred location and career goals to our team for a confidential conversation about leadership opportunities with CPA firms.
info@northboundrecruitment.com
Choose your email service to start a message to our team.