Account Login/Registration

Access KelownaNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

In Focus | Edward Olson

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Edward Olson.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Originally, I was born in Edmonton, Alberta. Since then I have lived in Winnipeg, Lacombe, Calgary, Abbotsford and then returned to Alberta for postsecondary education. My wife and I moved to Kelowna in 2005 and have been extremely lucky to call this incredible city home since then.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
This is easy, my lovely bride. She knows me best and keeps me honest. To have such a great sounding board for challenges in life and at work, she always gives sage advice.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Maui, of all the places in the world that we enjoy visiting, it would be Maui. We love the weather, the beaches, you can drive on the right side of the road and drink water directly from the tap if needed. We’ve been numerous times over the years and enjoy the climate that it provides, right down to the music. Who doesn’t like a good luau?

What is your favourite activity?
During the summers in Kelowna, you will typically find us living in, or on, the water. We love water sports and can’t get enough of the lake. The same thing would be for Maui, we always are out in the water and enjoying the beach. It seems like we can’t get enough sun or water.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza, one dough base, but so many variations to enjoy.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
This is hard to answer as there are so many events that have had an impact on my life. One that comes to mind is that growing up my parents had me involved in volunteering with international humanitarian work. They always said it would make me appreciate more of the blessings of living in this country. I’ve been involved building churches in the Dominican Republic through to teaching English in the Ukraine. Each experience showed me that what we have is more than most of the world around us, and that we can’t take what we have for granted. It’s also important to continually help those around us who are less fortunate.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My dad had his pilot’s license and I loved to fly with him. It was my strong desire to be a pilot 'when I grew up', but then somehow ended up being a CPA instead. Regardless, those days of flying with him were incredible.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I’ve been involved with the YMCA Okanagan setting up their risk committee and corporate risk program. Helping the YMCA to be successful for years to come benefits the entire community around us. They’re a great organization which I’m happy to support.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
One thing? Maybe start philosophically. It would be great to see more application of 'The Golden Rule' in all aspects of personal and business life. Wouldn’t it be great if the law of reciprocity was actually embraced by everyone? Where the principle of treating others as one would wish to be treated was inherent versus the exception? I’m sure then people would trust more, help more and do more regardless of political affiliation.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
I love the lake, I live for the summer to be able to enjoy all it has to offer, but let’s not forget about all incredible golfing this Okanagan valley has to offer. Or the hiking/biking and ability to quickly get out of the city and find some solitude away from the hectic nature of life. Some incredible ski hills are close by to access as well! I truly believe we live in a part of Canada that is the envy of so many Canadians. I’m proud to call this community home.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Maybe not completely alone, but there is one beach we love to live at. Can’t say where that is in this article as I’m worried it would be flooded with too many people this coming summer if I say…

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
We are a growing city, and that is good. However, we need to be continually mindful of ensuring the needs of this growth are met from infrastructure to housing, management of tax burden to limitation of government size, support of existing and new business, attraction of business opportunities and resources to Kelowna, as well as protection of the environment and those who are less fortunate. We are making good strides but need to see continual commitment to positive change in perpetuity to build on what we have already.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
People, weather, environment, orchards/vineyards/local produce, our lakes, outdoor activities, shall I keep going?

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) Scuba diving and then travel the world to see it from beneath the waves;
2) Pilot’s license, but I’m sure my wife would be against this; and
3) Visit the Maldives and seeing the other side of the world.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I grew up a farmer kid. We lived in Alberta and did everything from crops to livestock. I truly believe my work ethic came from working on the farm. My parents always said “work before play” which is now entrenched in what I do. Maybe I need to relax the “work” part a little bit and start enjoying more of what the Okanagan has to offer!

What is the name of your business/organization?
Crowe MacKay LLP.

Why did you get into/start this business?
The Chairman of Crowe MacKay sits on the Kelowna Executive Roundtable with me. One day he asked if he could pick my brain on advisory and risk services and my history of providing these professional services historically in British Columbia, Alberta, US and the UK. Before I knew it I was accepting their offer to be the Practice Leader for these services in our eight offices across three provinces and two territories. I recently took this role effective February 1, 2017.

What is the goal of your business?
Crowe MacKay LLP is a full service accounting and business advisory firm that currently meets the needs of a wide variety of clients in both the public and private sectors. We were built through our strong relationships with private enterprise, nonprofit, First Nation Communities and First Nation Businesses, Government and Government agencies. We provide a wide range of accounting, auditing, income tax planning, compliance and consulting services to growing Canadian enterprises in very diverse industries and sectors. Through related companies, Crowe MacKay LLP also provides specialized management consulting services, forensic auditing, financial management, financial restructuring and insolvency services.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Managing both. I love my clients and working with them, I just need to be pragmatic about ensuring my personal life receives the same due care and attention. A balanced strategic partner in business is also linked to a balanced strategic partner at home. This is something that needs to be managed daily. My wife is patient with me to bring this equilibrium into balance continuously and I thank her for that.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn’t change anything. I truly believe that my history has made me who I am today. I have a motivational picture close to my desk and it says 'When the sea was calm, all ships alike showed mastership in floating. True character and success is defined not by how you act when everything is going your way, rather, it’s how you react when everything isn’t.' It’s the rough seas that define who we really are. And I’m happy everything hasn’t always been 'calm seas' for me.

What do you always find yourself saying?
I am more of an optimist, when things aren’t going my way, I’m always trying to find the good or the opportunity to push forward with. That is what keeps me going in life.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My wife will always be first. Secondly, and I’m breaking the convention of your question for those who are alive, would be Winston Churchill. The adversity he faced, the leadership he displayed and the commitment to his vision of what the world should be are inspirational. More than 60 years after the war ended, 'We shall fight on the beaches...we shall never surrender' and 'Men will still say, "this was their finest hour"' resounds in the conscience of all free peoples. Churchill changed the world with words. I would wish he was alive so that I can spend a day with him.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
We are a regional firm and understand the importance of supporting local business. This supports the economic base of where we live, supports local community groups due to local businesses contributing locally, keeps our community unique with specialized businesses, reduces the environmental impact of transportation through a local footprint, creates more local jobs, appreciate increased levels of service as small businesses know their clientele better, puts our tax dollars to good use locally and encourages local prosperity. As we grow together, we invest together and we all then prosper together. This is good for everyone.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
From a business perspective, it was achieving my Chartered Accountant designation. From a personal perspective, it was marrying my wife. That I found someone to tolerate me daily!

Some general comments I would like to share are:
As of February 1, 2017 I took the role of Practice Leader, Advisory Services for Crowe MacKay. We are an independent member of Crowe Horwath International and have the added resources of more than 200 independent International accounting and advisory services firms in more than 130 countries around the world.

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna.



If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.

If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.


Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to news@kelownanow.com.



Weather
webcam icon

weather-icon
Thu
12℃

weather-icon
Fri
12℃

weather-icon
Sat
12℃

weather-icon
Sun
15℃

weather-icon
Mon
17℃

weather-icon
Tue
16℃

current feed webcam icon

Recent Livestream




Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Linkedin Follow us on Youtube Listen on Soundcloud Follow Our TikTok Feed Follow Our RSS Follow Our pinterest Feed
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy

Quick Links