Mark Pike , FCPA , FCA
Yukon Member Profile
Mark Pike , FCPA , FCA
Partner & Managing Director , Crowe MacKay LLP
Profile by Monica Chan Photo by Christian Kuntz
Is employee loyalty a thing of the past ? Not according to Mark Pike , the longest-serving partner at Crowe MacKay LLP in Whitehorse . In fact , Mark has been with the firm , and its predecessors , for his entire career . “ I was born in Ontario , in a small town called Harriston , and got my BBA from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo ,” he says . “ Times were tough in Ontario when I graduated , so I joined MacKay in Whitehorse . I articled with the firm , got my designation in 1982 , became a partner in 1985 , and stayed !” Over the past 30 years , Mark has been involved in the firm ’ s growth and evolution . “ When I first joined , we had an office in Whitehorse and one in Vancouver ,” he recounts . “ Shortly afterward , we opened new locations in Yellowknife and Edmonton . Since then — assuming the stats are the same post-unification — we ’ ve grown to become one of the largest professional accounting firms in Canada .” In return for his dedicated service over the past three decades , Mark has been able to carve out his own path in public practice . In addition to gaining extensive experience assisting clients in a variety of service areas , including audit , accounting , small business taxation issues , and business succession and sales planning , he has had the opportunity to tackle other special consulting engagements . “ Being a CA , and now CPA , CA , has opened so many doors , it ’ s hard to describe them all ,” he says . One engagement required him to appear in front of the Canadian Transportation Agency , in support of a client ’ s licence application . Mark is also qualified to serve as an expert witness by the Supreme Court of Yukon , and has testified on behalf of the RCMP on financial matters . “ I received coaching from the RCMP on witness demeanour , conduct , and answers ,” he says . “ Being on the stand in a courtroom , and being examined and cross-examined , was intense .” Just as he is dedicated to his professional endeavours , Mark is also dedicated to the work of the accounting profession , both nationally and provincially . He is a past governor of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and was involved in the governance of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Yukon from 1984 through July 18 , 2016 , when the Chartered Professional Accountants Act came into force in the Yukon . He currently sits on the interim board of directors of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Yukon
Throughout the unification process , Mark played a critical role in pushing the new CPA legislation through the Yukon Legislative Assembly , and in getting the approval of the other bodies and members . “ Everything I have professionally , I owe to being a CPA ,” he says , “ so it ’ s great to be able to give back .” Outside of the profession , Mark also dedicates his time to serving the community as chair of the board of directors of the Yukon Workers ’ Compensation Health and Safety Board and as vice-president of the Whitehorse Oldtimer Hockey League . It ’ s fair to say that he loves his adopted hometown . “ Since Whitehorse is a capital city and home to many governments , the financial resources that pass through the city are significant , and the natural beauty of the Yukon is unparalleled ,” Mark says . “ Wearing a suit during the day and enjoying the wilderness — where there are more moose than humans — on weekends is cool . “ And of course ,” he adds , “ an occasional grizzly in your yard keeps your heart rate up !”
46 CPABC in Focus • Sept / Oct 2016