In a profession as timeless as accounting, the Nova Scotia firm of Christopher Veach, CPA Inc., manages to provide fresh solutions through cloud-based operations. Veach caters his accounting, tax, and advisory services both to individuals and to small and medium-sized enterprises. Christopher Veach, CPA Inc. is one of Maritime Canada’s emerging accounting firms, leveraging 21st-century data solutions to simplify processes and provide a cost-effective, agile service model suited to dynamic client needs.

Christopher Veach is an experienced professional, having logged over 20 years in both the public and private sectors. He’s served as auditor, controller, director, and chief financial officer, as well as a sole practitioner. He also studied Lean Systems with industrial engineers at Toyota and earned a certificate in Data Analytics from Google

Q: What inspired you to establish your cloud-based accounting firm?

CHRISTOPHER VEACH: I’ve always had a knack for making numbers line up, so becoming a CPA was a logical and satisfying career move for me. As part of that dream, I wanted my own practice, but I knew I’d have to find a way to stand out, an innovative differentiator to set my practice apart.  It occurred to me to use the cloud to enhance my abilities, and that’s when everything really came together.  When I started my practice, I decided to partner with Odoo, a leading cloud business platform for SMEs. I currently run 50+ clients on Odoo’s no-fee accounting platform.  

Q: How has your experience across both the public and private sectors shaped your approach to client service?

CHRISTOPHER VEACH: The public and private sectors are significantly different venues for conducting business, and working in each of them taught me valuable lessons. The public sector taught me how to navigate complex bureaucracies, manage compliance, and serve a wide range of stakeholders. And working in the private sector gave me important insights into business agility and operating within a competitive market. Gaining experience in both sectors has greatly expanded my skillset. 

Q: In what ways do you see the accounting profession transforming in the next five to ten years?

CHRISTOPHER VEACH: I think that we, as accountants, know that we will have to rethink how we approach and execute our roles. It’s inevitable that technology is going to become more integrated into the process, and we have to be ready to welcome that and maintain the human aspect of our profession. Today it’s the cloud and artificial intelligence, but tomorrow it might be quantum computing or some other thing that we can scarcely even imagine right now. The point is that we have to embrace new developments, because ultimately, they will improve our ability to dispense sound financial advice and help us meet the goals of our clients.

Q: What are the most common misconceptions you encounter about cloud-based accounting solutions?

CHRISTOPHER VEACH: There are quite a few, but they generally fall along the lines of the cloud being an ominous technological boogeyman or that it will become sentient and start running amok. The reality is that it’s a really useful tool that actually facilitates collaboration while increasing accuracy and client transparency. It’s one of the safest and most efficient technologies available today.

Q: What kind of clients benefit most from the cloud-based services your firm provides?

CHRISTOPHER VEACH: If history has taught us anything, it’s that the march of technology leaves behind those who resist adaptation. The cloud is nothing to be wary of. As I mentioned before, it’s a tool and nothing more. A sophisticated and highly effective tool, of course, and one that enables people in my profession to serve their clients better. So, everyone can benefit from cloud-based accounting. It’s simply more reliable, precise, and efficient than the old ways.