Ryan Livesey and his partners established Livesey Shen CPA in 2019 with locations in Edmonton and Calgary, and recently added an office in New Westminster, BC. Their significant growth in just two years comes from their unique approach to accounting, which is drawn from Ryan’s decade of experience in the Canadian Navy. Ryan has translated the core values he lived and breathed in his navy career into the firm, including dedication, discipline, and the principle of “no stone left unturned.” He treats all his relationships, including those with staff and clients, as partnerships.
While 2021 was busy enough to keep Ryan working full-time, his success led him to bring on two new employees, as well as several contractors for the busy season surrounding tax time. Graduating from his home office, he and his staff now share two office spaces at NABI. Ryan says that their interest in NABI extends far beyond the space to the many resources offered to the small business community, including programs, funding, and support: “They truly want to see you grow.”
For Ryan and his partners, it’s important to instill accessibility and collaboration into their daily work. To take care of their employees, they offer fun rewards, tuition reimbursement programs, and reasonable hours. To take care of their clients, they make themselves available to work through decisions strategically as they come up. Around NABI, you may catch Ryan in a boardroom for one of his partner meetings, having a quick call with a client, or chatting with a colleague in one of their offices. These activities are all essential, as Ryan and his partners understand that at the end of the day, businesses are built by and for people.
