Alan Valihora: Partner Spotlight

Alan Valihora, CPA, CA, TEP is currently a partner in our Tax group, working with the firm since 2011. Alan obtained his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation in 2015, after graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University having completed his Bachelor of Business Administration with honours in 2012 and completed CPA Canada’s In-Depth Tax Course in 2017.

He currently teaches the In-Depth Tax course through CPA Canada and is the treasurer of St. Leonard’s House of Windsor. We sat down with Alan to learn more about his career progression and how he manages work-life balance.

1. Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a partner at Roth Mosey & Partners? What steps did you take to achieve this milestone in your career??I started at Roth Mosey as a co-op in 2011, and joined full time in 2013, manager in 2016, senior manager in 2019, and finally a partner in 2021. To achieve this, I always had to focus on self improvement. How to get better personally, socially, technically, and professionally. This meant to never maintain status quo, and wanting to always get better. I learn from past mistakes and apply learning in the future.
2. What motivated you to pursue a career in tax??I knew tax was for me in high school accounting class as it was applicable to everyone (everyone wants to save tax). I didn’t realize the tax profession was more than just preparing tax returns. I ended up enjoying the tax planning and research side that I didn’t previously knew existed, also the ever-changing nature of tax legislation, as it keeps you on your toes.
3. How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially with a young family??Schedule time for both. My personal goal is that I am always home for dinner/bedtime with my family so I structure my work schedule around this. Sometimes I have to come in early or work on weekends but this allows me to always be home at that time.
4. What role does flexibility play in your work-life balance, and how does your workplace support this??As long as the work is getting done, there is lots of flexibility to go run to appointments or attend a special event for the children. As long as everything is properly communicated with the team, no one has any complaints or even notices.
5. Have you encountered any challenges in balancing your career and family life, and if so, how have you overcome them??During covid it was tough as there wasn’t a separation between work and home. Now I find it easier being at the office which allows me to focus on work at work, and home at home. Also scheduling specific family time is useful as described above.
6. What advice would you give to other professionals, particularly those with young families, who are striving to achieve a similar balance??Figure out what is most important to you and make sure you achieve that (whether its attending a soccer game, being home for dinner, what ever), then be flexible with the rest of your time.

#RothMosey #Accounting #PublicAccounting #Tax #CanadianAccounting