Aroon Sequeira FCPA, FCA
Aroon is a seasoned corporate finance professional, entrepreneur, and corporate director. Some planned and some happenstance, he has been involved in the start-up of a dozen companies and not-for-profit organizations. He recently founded Valuepath Partners, a sell-side M&A advisory firm created to bring high-end services to the lower middle market. Prior to Valuepath, Aroon founded Sequeira Partners and, prior to that was the Edmonton Managing Partner for EY, where he also headed the Alberta mergers and acquisitions practice. Prior to that, he co-founded Synergy Partners Inc., a leading mid-market corporate finance advisory firm. Aroon is committed to lifelong learning and, in addition to Fellowship in the profession, holds the FCBV and ICD.D designations.
Aroon is passionate about giving back and is a strong believer in the power of education. As such, he is the co-founder and a director of the New Buffalo Education Circle, an organization created to support Indigenous learners pursuing post-secondary business school. He has served on the Edmonton Chapter Executive of the Institute of Corporate Directors and has served on several corporate and not-for-profit boards including the Citadel Theatre, Business Council of Alberta, the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, First Industries Corporation, Black Owl Systems, and Ram Elevators and Lifts Inc.
What was your initial reaction when you heard the news? You have received many accolades, but is this one any different, coming from your peers in the CPA profession?
Ruth McHugh, CPA Alberta’s Board Chair, had left a voicemail message saying she wanted to discuss a CPA Alberta matter. My mind went to CPA Alberta needed volunteer help, or my designation was being revoked {laughs}. I was surprised and lost for words when Ruth told me I was chosen for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ted Sax, a founding partner of the firm where I articled, told me that success as a professional requires you to earn the respect of your peers. That has been a guiding light in my professional life, and I am honoured and humbled to receive this recognition.
What has driven your commitment to the community and to the profession?
My CPA training taught me that a founding principle of the profession is serving the public interest so staying true to this principle drives me. My parents immigrated to Canada when I was seven and I have been blessed with much career success, so I am very much driven by wanting to give back.
Is there anything or anybody that was instrumental in shaping your career and/or your outlook?
There have been many mentors, colleagues, clients, business associates, family and friends that have shaped my career/outlook—too many to list. My parents, Charles, and Rita, for leaving a good life in the South of India to move to a colder but better life in Northern Alberta. A shout out to the late Dave Stewart, who took a chance on a newly minted CA and the late Mike Maher who was a great mentor and friend that influenced my outlook mid-career. I am also grateful to my ex-wife, Krista, who was very supportive of all my entrepreneurial and career machinations over many years. Career success sometimes comes at a cost and if I had a do-over, there would be more effort to find better work-life balance.