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Our Team
We are so proud of our amazing team.
We stand behind you with solid finance, technology and HR expertise so you can focus on your program delivery.
Click on a photo to learn more about the people that work at CHARITYacCOUNTS!
Agata Kabat, CPA, CA joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2019 and provides controllership services to her clients focusing on management decision making, solid monthly reporting, budgeting and financial analysis - which are critical in order for her charities and associations to stay on-track.
Agata earned a Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) at Brock University and obtained her CPA, CA designation while working for BDO in Newmarket. At BDO, Agata specialized in charitable and not-for-profit organizations (NPOs) as well as municipalities. She is pleased to bring her special skills “inside” the management of her organizations and assist CEOs in making the most of their resources.
Agata appreciates the hard work and dedication of those who dedicate their lives to working in NPOs and is very happy to be able to help them thrive.
Agata lives in Oakville with her husband. Her interests include travel (having visited 19 countries so far!), trying new foods and completing challenging 1000+ piece jigsaw puzzles.
Andrea joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! as a bookkeeper in 2022. She recently retired from Canada Post after a 37-year career, and has completed Sheridan College’s Small Business Bookkeeping Certificate Program.
Andrea enjoys being able to use her skills to support charities and causes close to her heart, such as indigenous and women’s issues. Thus, working at CHARITYacCOUNTS! is her "dream job".
The flexibility of part time work leaves her with time to spend with her husband and daughter, and doing things she enjoys like puzzles, reading, travel, and especially riding her motorcycle.
Debra joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2022 and has over 35 years of accounting experience. She trained at the University of Toronto early in her career, has recently updated her computer skills through Seneca College, and is certified in QuickBooks Online. Debra is excited to work in an industry that gives back to society and happy that her experience will benefit the clients and staff of CHARITYacCOUNTS!
Debra is grateful to be able to work part time from home which enables her to assist her vision-impaired husband. She is a volunteer for the Toronto Blind Curling Club (TBCC) and is one of the co-ordinators of the annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser. Her favorite thing to do is to travel, meet new people and explore the majestic world on which we live.
Deborah, CPA, CGA joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2017. Her role is Controller for her clients. Her BA was at York University in Economics and Business. That was followed by an Executive MBA at the Schulich School of Business and Kellogg School of Business. Her previous accounting experience has been in retirement homes, insurance and in investment firms. Over her career she has worked as a consultant in software implementation with municipalities, oil and gas industries, property management and manufacturing.
Deborah enjoys her current focus on charities. She finds it satisfying working with organizations that create better communities. When groups have struggles managing accounting processes and finances, the challenge is to assist them to get back on track and that brings its own rewards. Her work at CHARITYacCOUNTS! is part-time allowing her to pursue outside interests as well as exercise her skills.
Deborah is a volunteer at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. She loves gardening, photography and baking. Travel is something she has done in the past and looks forward to more in the future.
Favrier (Fav) Medina joined the CHARITYacCOUNTS! Team in December 2021 and provides our clients and staff with top-notch technical support services.
Fav graduated from the Computer Systems Technician program at Mohawk College specializing in Network Systems. He completed the COMPTIA A+ certification and is now working on obtaining Microsoft 365 certifications.
Fav immigrated to Canada from Cuba when he was 8 years old. He lives in Hamilton, ON and loves being from Steeltown. Fav believes in building better communities and helping those in need whenever he can.
Homer is a graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Accountancy and a CPA, CMA. He joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2022 as a Controller.
After working some 33 years in the private sector for companies involved in the lubricants, cement, and transportation sectors among others, it seemed like a great way to cap off his career, to giveback to society and enjoy a gradual transition to retirement. Thus far, 3 out of 3 checkmarks! Increasingly, he has grown to appreciate the incredible importance and contributions that charities make to all aspects of life and wants to help ensure they have the needed accounting resources and oversight to succeed so that management can focus on the success of their operations.
Homer emigrated from The Netherlands at age 10, is married with 3 teenage children who enjoy camping, downhill skiing and games. And when needed, he visits his chickens, ducks and geese to maintain some sanity. He is an active volunteer in his church and cannot wait to get away to enjoy DIY home and property improvements, hiking the Bruce Trail, or roughing it in the great outdoors in his remaining spare time.
Jan Payne, CPA, CGA joined CHARTIYacCOUNTS! in 2019 and provides controllership services focusing on management decision making, solid monthly reporting, budgeting and financial analysis. She finds being able to bring her skills to a sector that she is passionate about very fulfilling. Jan obtained her CPA, CGA in 2000 while working in various industries in senior management level positions.
Jan started her career working with a private girl’s school in Oakville and was happy to return to the not for profit sector in 2008. She's always been an active volunteer and over the years has coached youth bowling, participated on several school councils, been actively involved in fundraising and chairing several committees as well as serving on the board of a local charity.
Jan is married and the proud mother of four teenagers who have started entering the post secondary world. She looks forward to developing new traditions and exploring new interests with her husband as her children find their independence.
Jennifer Moshtagh graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources. For several years she worked at the Bahai World Centre in Haifa, Israel before immigrating to Canada and to work at the Baha'i National Centre in Thornhill.
While taking time off to raise her family she volunteered for different charities in Halton and recently attended Sheridan College’s Small Business Bookkeeping program. In 2014 she joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! as a part time bookkeeper. She excels at bringing order to the chaos that sometimes happens in busy charities. She is a calming influence wherever she goes and she enjoys bringing that calm to good people doing good things in our community.
In her free time she enjoys uplifting conversations with friends and relaxing with her family.
Julia joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2020. She graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University, earning a degree in Business Administration. She worked for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and Saint Mary’s University before moving to Toronto in 2012.
In 1989, Julia immigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia to marry the man of her dreams. She is a mother of 2 and is an ordained minister who volunteers full-time in international Bible educational work.
Julia loves part-time work with CHARITYacCOUNTS! because it provides her the work/life balance she needs. She is an avid outdoors person who likes hiking, camping, and gardening. On her to do list there is a full marathon run (she has completed 8 half-marathons) and a trip to Israel and Costa Rica.
Karen Dysart CPA, CA, BBA realized the need for improved accounting practices after many years working and volunteering in the not-for-profit sector.
“So many charities struggle because they can’t afford financial expertise full-time. But if you're reporting isn’t clear, or you’re not providing the right kind of information, a charity comes across as unreliable or unstable, and they won’t receive the grants they need.”
Karen knew that smaller charities are vitally important to our community. They couldn’t afford a full-time controller or CFO, but she knew if she could “divide herself up into small packages of time”, she could bring sound business and finance principles to charities. In the background, she could do good work in her community.
By providing a unique model of highly skilled, part-time professionals who “love to work with charities”, the CHARITYacCOUNTS! team benefits from achieving work-life balance. They understand the well documented “heart rewards” of knowing they are making a difference in their community.
“Our team loves working with people who are helping others. As accountants, we know we can’t talk someone through a debilitating crisis, but we can help those who are gifted in helping people. In turn, we help them avoid business pitfalls and the headaches of charity management. We respect their gifts and ask them to respect our gifts.”
Karen is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University (BBA) and a CPA, CA (Chartered Professional Accountant – Chartered Accountant). After working 15 years in public accounting, she chose to specialize in the not-for profit sector. She founded CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2002. As she transitions slowly into retirement, she is encouraged by the staff who are eager, willing and capable to support charities through CHARITYacCOUNTS! There are lots of accountants with good hearts!
Karen is a proud mother of 3 and a recent grandmother to 7 so she is again immersed in family. In her spare time, Karen is a volunteer and participant at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph, Ontario and member of the Guelph Walking Pilgrimage Group.
Her passion for charity work is balanced with a love of travel. In 2013, it was Newfoundland; in 2015 she celebrated sunsets in Tofino, BC and Cape Breton Island, NS. In 2018, she experienced Italy with all its simplicity and extravagance. The “yet-to-be” trips of a lifetime include Jerusalem, Taize in France, Iona in Scotland and an experience of the Canadian Arctic.
Lee Avery graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. She enjoyed a successful career in accounting and auditing which included 3 years as an auditor with Clarkson Gordon. She then worked 11 years at CIBC, first in their Corporate and International Audit where she was able to visit many cities around the world and then in Head Office Accounting.
Lee feels very fortunate to have been able to make the decision to stay home and raise her 2 children. In 2013, with the children grown, she joined CHARITYacCOUNTS!. Lee is excited to have this opportunity to use her accounting and business skills within the not-for-profit community. Lee is well organized and adept at juggling many issues at the same time. She is very committed to helping all staff understand the flow of information and documentation to meet very demanding expectations.
Lee and her family spend as much time as possible at the cottage. Working on a part time basis still allows her time to enjoy… family, cooking, reading and Jazzercise!
Lia, CGA, joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2018. Lia started her career as an Accountant with a diploma from Mohawk College. She earned her CGA designation in 2005. Early on, she worked as a Corporate Financial Analyst with Laidlaw and then moved to TDL Group (Tim Horton’s Inc.). There she held positions in Financial Reporting, followed by a move to Internal Controls as an Analyst.
Lia’s then focused on her family for 10 years, raising her three children while her husband travelled for business. She has returned to part-time work with CHARITYacCOUNTS!. She is able to drive her kids to school, volunteer for pizza days, and be there for assemblies and special events. The flexibility of the work also allows her to take her boys to tournaments in karate, hockey, swimming and take her daughter to competitive dance. Lia enjoys running and vacations with family.
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
Maureen is a bookkeeper at CHARITYacCOUNTS! and joined us in 2024. She brings valuable experience in accounting and bookkeeping, having previously worked with a professional accounting firm and a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization. Maureen describes herself as a "bookkeeper with a heart," passionate about problem-solving, and is particularly excited about CHARITYacCOUNTS! and our team's unique focus on supporting purpose-driven not-for-profit clients.
On a personal note, Maureen is a keen traveller who loves exploring new cultures and trying diverse cuisines with her family. Recently, she discovered a newfound passion for cooking, especially dishes from the Philippines. One of her favourites? A dish called Kare-Kare, a delicious blend of coconut cream, squash, meat and peanut butter (you may want to look it up...it sounds amazing!).
Meena Khosla, CPA, CA joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2021 and provides controllership services to her clients focusing on management decision making, solid monthly reporting, budgeting, and financial analysis - which are critical for her charities and associations to stay on-track.
Meena earned her BA from York University in Economics and Business. She obtained her CA designation while working in public accounting in various small and medium sized firms, ending at Doane Raymond (now Grant Thornton). She then entered the public sector and was with Ontario Hydro and its various incarnations in Internal Audit and Corporate Reporting. She has worked with various non-profit Family Health Teams as a consultant and financial advisor, providing accounting expertise, assisting with budget planning and preparation, and quarterly and annual reports to the Ministry of Health for 18 years. Simultaneously she also worked, initially as a volunteer, then accountant, then Finance Manager for a Charitable school for the last 17 years.
She is excited to bring that varied experience to her CHARITYacCOUNTS! clients to help give them solid management support while giving back to charities in her community.
In her free time, Meena likes to travel, spend time with her family, and watch and cheer for the Toronto Raptors.
Mira Persaud is our Director of People and Culture Services. She provides leadership and guidance internally and to our clients, driving talent acquisition, development, engagement, and retention strategies.
Mira’s career has included HR roles in public, private, and not-for-profit organizations across the technology, healthcare, media, and education industries. She is passionate about creating workplaces where people are supported to do their best work and feel a sense of connection and inclusion.
Mira has an Honours bachelor’s degree in industrial relations from the University of Toronto, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management from Seneca College, where she was awarded President’s List honours. She has been a guest lecturer at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, and York University, is a certified facilitator through the Franklin Covey Institute, and is a member of the Human Resources Professionals Association.
A lifelong learner, data enthusiast and avid reader, Mira loves travelling and learning about different cultures, and volunteers with several not-for-profit organizations in Toronto.
Neeta’s training in accounting is the latest accomplishment in her wide-ranging career. Working as a part-time bookkeeper, her love of people and numbers are now brought together. Neeta joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2018 and enjoys working on-site at the non-profits.
Neeta’s background includes a college diploma in Fashion and Design in India, over a decade spent in Saudi Arabia raising her family, training in makeup at St Lawrence College, Kingston, Ont. and 10 years at MAC cosmetics. She returned to school to learn accounting and worked for 4 years in that field before her current position at CHARITYacCOUNTS!. The part-time work suits her at this point in her career.
Neeta loves the option of part time work at this point in her life, to enjoy time with family and friends. Her other interests include DIY projects, gardening in summer, crocheting toques & scarves for charities in winter.
Sharon Barnes-Simmonds, CPA, CGA; MBA; joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2023 and provides controllership services focusing on management decision making, solid monthly reporting, budgeting, and financial analysis. All of which are critical for charities and associations in order to stay on-track.
Sharon is a graduate of the University of Manchester (UK) where she earned her MBA in Finance, and she is also a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA-UK). She followed this up by earning her Canadian Chartered Professional Accounting designation when she migrated to Canada in 2003.
Sharon is passionate about the charitable and non-profit sector and has gained most of her senior level experiences from within this sector, having spent a few years with the Region of Peel and then 10 years with the Toronto International Film Festival. She later moved into the INGO development sector, where she spent a few years as Director of Finance and Administration with Children Believe Fund and then as the Chief Financial Officer of Action Against Hunger Canada. Sharon therefore comes to CHARITYacCOUNTS! bringing a wealth of experience from this sector.
Sharon is also an avid volunteer and has sat on several boards in the non-profit sector. She is currently the President of the Kiwanis Club of Toronto Caribbean, and she sits on the Board of the Community Music Schools of Toronto (with campuses in Jane and Finch as well as Regent Park).
Sharon loves to learn more about the world through documentaries and biopics, as well as travelling with her husband and Daughter. In her spare time, she also loves to blog on natural health.
Photo and bio coming soon!
Stephanie Cooper, CPA, CGA joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2013 and provides accounting management services. This includes month-end reporting, balance sheet analysis, and financial analysis, budgeting, as well as complex bank reconciliation and the numerous day-to-day accounting tasks to suit her client’s individual needs. Stephanie is a cheerful problem solver for her charities, and she has great respect for the work charities do for all of us. She has recently completed the Not-For-Profit Certificate Program with The Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.
Stephanie is married and a proud mother of a son and daughter who keep her busy with many appointments and activities. Stephanie is an open-hearted volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities Hamilton and volunteers at her children’s school helping with the Breakfast Program. The Cooper family love all things Disney and look forward to traveling each year whether it be to Disney World or exploring different parts of Canada and the world.
Steve Smith CPA, CA enjoys leveraging his experience to strengthen, amplify and deliver financial reporting, management analysis, dashboards and data, internal controls, budgeting and other key aspects of the finance function for charities and NPO’s.
Steve is a graduate of McMaster University and earned his designation while working at PwC. He spent 20 years with PwC, primarily in assurance and accounting services, where he had the opportunity to help clients with a broad variety of business objectives. He then moved on to a Director of Finance and CFO role at a charity with a mission in international development, where he further developed his experience and passion for the NPO world.
Steve has served as a Treasurer and Director with a national Charity and is also a member of 100 Guys Who Care, Oakville, an organization that seeks out opportunities to make impactful donations to local charities. Steve’s broad experience in business is balanced by his love of family life and working at CHARITYacCOUNTS! has given him the flexibility he was looking for. Steve and his wife, Tammy enjoy camping and travelling in the summer and skiing in the winter with their 2 daughters.
Suzanne Porcellato is a graduate of University of Waterloo School of Accountancy and earned her CA designation while working for 4 years with KPMG. She spent 14 years honing her management skills with Tennis Canada / Rogers Cup during which the Association doubled revenues and built 2 multi-million dollar tennis facilities in Toronto and Montreal. After a few years with a family owned group of companies in wholesale distribution of household goods, she returned to her love of the not-for-profit sector when she joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2012.
“I believe that I am adding significant value to my client charities and associations. Delivering timely and accurate financial information allows management to confidently focus on delivering programs and services in our community”.
CHARITYacCOUNTS! is very proud that most our new clients are introduced to us by other clients and public accounting firms. We can bring professionalism to small charities and not for profits and still keep the services cost effective. The public accounting firms recognize the value in having CHARITYacCOUNTS! involved in the financial management of their client, thereby strengthening their role as independent auditors.
Suzanne is married and the proud mother of 2 beautiful daughters. The family likes to get away to a family cottage as much as possible in the summer to soak up the sun, catch a few fish and roast a marshmallow or two under the stars.
Sydney Thurn, CPA, CA, joined charity accounts in 2022 and provides controllership services to her clients focusing on best-in-class financial operations, management decision making, and process improvements.
Sydney earned an Honours Business Administration degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business and obtained her CPA, CA designation while working for Deloitte.
It was Sydney’s humanitarian work in South India and Honduras that sparked her personal mission of utilizing her professional skills to improve the lives of as many people as possible throughout her professional career.
Sydney, her husband, and their dog live along the Trent River in a small town called Hastings. She enjoys spending time in nature, trying new recipes, and interior design projects.
Tammy Araki joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in October 2014 after obtaining her Permanent Resident status in Canada. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Hawaii and then worked for 15 years in the hospitality industry with Hyatt Hotels. This afforded her the opportunity to gain valuable life experiences in various cities throughout the U.S. The hospitality industry has also taught her the importance of quality service and great customer relations. Tammy remains committed to excellent client relations with the staff of CHARITYacCOUNTS! clients.
Working part time is her dream, as it allows precious time with her young daughter. When not shuttling her daughter between softball and aikido practices, she plays in various softball leagues within Milton. Watch out Milton, University of Hawaii had a good softball team.
Tofer Whitmire joined the CHARITYacCOUNTS! team in February 2021 and provides our clients with technical and administrative support services.
For nearly a decade prior to joining CHARITYacCOUNTS!, Tofer was a senior operations supervisor at a global digital marketing agency located in Toronto. Before that, he held various positions at Commerce Bank and Trust Company in Kansas City, Missouri. Tofer received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina.
Working at CHARITYacCOUNTS! has afforded Tofer the opportunity for a more desirable work-life balance. In his free time, Tofer likes to explore the city with his husband, enjoys pints on patios, dabbles in arts and crafts, and has a lot of fun with his dog, Dolly.
Zach Dryman, B.Sc., understands the technology needs that are specific to charities and not-for-profit organizations.
Zach has over twenty years of experience in the charitable and not-for-profit sectors. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Information Technology from the University of South Carolina, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri and began his career as the Coordinator of Information Technology for RMI Media Productions, a distance learning telecourse video duplication company. While at RMI, Zach began teaching evening undergraduate IT courses at Brown Mackie College. From there, he moved on to assume the role of Senior Technical Specialist for the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and then served for nearly six years as Director of Technology for the fourth largest community foundation in the United States, the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.
Seeking a more metropolitan, sustainable and inclusive lifestyle, Zach and his husband moved from Kansas City to Toronto, Ontario, where he landed a position at the province’s used tire recycling program, Ontario Tire Stewardship. After serving for over seven years as OTS’s Vice President of Technology and Infrastructure, Zach founded his own technology consulting firm and co-founded Diversys Software, Inc., a global software company which provides Software-as-a-Service solutions to organizations involved in recycling management and the circular economy.
Longing for a return to the charitable and not-for-profit sector, Zach joined CHARITYacCOUNTS! in 2020 as our Director of Technology Services and became a partner in January 2021. He is responsible for managing CacC’s technology as well as providing IT services to our clientele.
Zach resides in Toronto's East end – just blocks from the Danforth – and enjoys a variety of hobbies including gardening, cycling, and home improvements. He loves exploring the city and frequenting patios during the spring, summer and fall seasons.
Contact Details
Phone: 905-845-2360
Email: info@charityaccounts.ca
Address: 483 Dundas St. W. - Suite 210, Oakville, ON L6M 1L9
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