Short Bio

Stuart Pasternak, CPA, CA, is a strategic CFO, business advisor and executive coach with more than 30 years of experience helping businesses, owners and boards navigate growth, transformation and complex financial decisions. He is Principal of The CFO Centre Canada and Toronto Regional Director of the CFO Leadership Council, where he works directly with executives and CFOs on real-time challenges facing business leaders, including AI, technology, economic uncertainty, talent and capital. Stuart brings extensive leadership, board and governance experience, including serving as Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer of the Alzheimer Society of York Region. He is committed to strengthening the CPA designation, advancing the profession and ensuring CPAs remain trusted and relevant business advisors and leaders.

Detailed Bio

Voluntary work with CPA Ontario or other professional bodies:

As the Regional Director and Founder of the Toronto Chapter of the CFO Leadership Council, Stuart oversees initiatives that support senior finance executives through education, peer collaboration and professional development. He has organized and moderated programs on strategic leadership, cybersecurity, AI, economic trends, governance and talent management. In this role, he works closely with CFOs, controllers and finance leaders across various industries, helping to strengthen Ontario's finance community and promote lifelong learning within the profession.

Additionally, he has mentored finance professionals and business leaders, helping develop the next generation of CPAs and senior executives.

Career achievements:

Over a career spanning more than thirty years, Stuart has held senior finance and executive leadership roles in manufacturing, construction, real estate development, consumer products and entrepreneurial ventures. As a CPA, CA, and Fractional CFO, he has guided organizations through growth initiatives, restructurings, acquisitions, financing transactions and periods of economic uncertainty.

As the Principal of The CFO Centre Canada, he provides strategic financial leadership to mid-market companies, helping management teams enhance performance, strengthen governance and build long-term value. Throughout his career, Stuart has collaborated with owners, boards and executive teams to align financial strategy with business goals while prioritizing risk management and operational excellence.

Other professional accomplishments:

Beyond Stuart’s executive leadership roles, he has built a reputation as a trusted advisor, executive coach and thought leader within the finance community. He regularly acts as a moderator and presenter on topics such as the changing role of the CFO, AI, cybersecurity, leadership and organizational transformation.

His educational background includes a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto, a Certificate in Cash Management from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Certificate in the Entrepreneurial Process from Western University. Stuart remains committed to continuous learning and to strengthening the role of finance leaders as strategic partners within their organizations.

Other voluntary service and recognition:

Stuart has a longstanding commitment to community service and governance. From 2015 to 2021, he served as Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer of the Alzheimer Society of York Region, helping guide the organization through strategic, financial and operational challenges.

He currently serves on ADP Canada's Accountant Advisory Board, where he provides strategic guidance on product development, customer experience, and the changing needs of finance and accounting professionals. In this role, Stuart collaborates with industry leaders to help develop solutions that better support Canadian businesses and the accounting community.

Stuart also served as Chair with TEC Canada, mentoring and facilitating peer groups of business owners and senior executives. Through these roles, he has gained extensive experience in governance, stakeholder engagement and organizational leadership.

Throughout his career, Stuart has believed that professional success comes with a responsibility to support others, strengthen institutions, and make meaningful contributions to the communities we serve.

Candidate statement

Why are you interested in joining Council?

Throughout my career as a CPA, CFO, business advisor and executive coach, I have personally observed the significant evolution of the finance profession. Today's CPAs are expected not only to maintain the highest standards of financial stewardship and public trust, but also to help organizations navigate economic uncertainty, technological change, and increasingly complex stakeholder expectations.

I am running for election to the CPA Ontario Council because I strongly believe in the profession's ability to shape the future of business and society. Having worked with a variety of organizations, from startups to established companies in manufacturing, construction, real estate and consumer goods, I bring a practical perspective on the challenges and opportunities that finance leaders encounter. I view Council service as an opportunity to help uphold the relevance, strength and integrity of the CPA designation, while also ensuring the profession remains aligned with the needs of members, students, employers and the public.

My career has been built on a commitment to leadership, governance and community engagement. Working with senior executives and finance professionals, I have seen the important role CPA Ontario plays in fostering professional excellence, encouraging innovation and protecting the public interest. I would be honoured to offer my experience and insights to support these vital responsibilities.

How do your experiences align with the following skills, attributes and experiences that have been prioritized for incoming members of Council?

• Strategic and Transformational Leadership
• Emerging Technologies
• Board Experience and Governance
• Business Acumen

My professional experience aligns closely with the capabilities outlined by CPA Ontario.

First, strategic and transformational leadership has played a key role in my career. Over more than thirty years, I have worked as a senior finance executive and fractional CFO, helping organizations navigate growth, restructuring, acquisitions and times of economic uncertainty. In these roles, I have collaborated with owners and executive teams to develop long-term strategies, enhance performance and build sustainable organizations.

Second, emerging technologies continue to transform the finance function, and I have actively supported the responsible adoption of innovation. Through my work with the CFO Leadership Council and my advisory practice, I have focused on helping finance leaders understand the implications of AI, cybersecurity, automation and data analytics. I believe the profession must embrace technology while upholding the ethical standards and professional judgment that distinguish CPAs.

Third, I bring extensive governance and board experience. I have served in leadership roles within professional and community organizations, including as Regional Director of the Toronto chapter of the CFO Leadership Council and as Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer of the Alzheimer Society of York Region. These roles have enhanced my understanding of fiduciary oversight, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning and effective governance.

Finally, my extensive business experience offers a practical perspective on the challenges companies encounter. Having worked in various industries and across different organizational sizes, I understand the operational, financial and strategic concerns of both established firms and start-ups.

What is the greatest opportunity and challenge facing the accounting profession and CPA Ontario?

The profession's greatest opportunity is to redefine the CPA's role as a strategic leader in a more digital and interconnected economy. Advances in AI, automation and data analytics are transforming how financial information is created and CPAs are uniquely positioned to provide the judgment, ethics, governance and business insights needed to help organizations navigate these changes responsibly.

Meanwhile, the profession faces a significant challenge in remaining relevant and attractive to the next generation of leaders. CPA Ontario must continue demonstrating the value of the designation in a rapidly changing market while supporting members through technological shifts, evolving career paths, and increasing demands for broader leadership skills.

Success relies on balancing innovation with the profession's fundamental duties: safeguarding the public interest, maintaining ethical standards, and ensuring that CPAs remain trusted advisors to business, government and society. I believe CPA Ontario has a chance to lead this shift and reinforce the profession for future generations.