Welcome to the Cowperthwaite Mehta website.  The site is intended primarily as a resource for our clients and others in their search for information on administration of not-for-profit organizations.  Please feel free to download any of the information that you find useful. 

Cowperthwaite Mehta is a firm of Chartered Accountants practicing in the Toronto area.   Phil Cowperthwaite and Roger Mehta originally formed the partnership in 1986 to service not-for-profit organizations and small and medium-sized owner-managed businesses.  Barb Scott joined the firm in 1997.

Our firm has chosen to specialize in providing audit, accounting, financial management and tax (GST, payroll withholding and income) services and advice to clients under $3 million in annual revenue.  Many of our staff are specifically trained to service the not-for-profit and small business sectors.  We understand that organizations and companies in these sectors have very specific needs and concerns, especially in the areas of cash flow management and dealing with donors and funders.  As funds are typically very tight, administrative and accounting issues and concerns require practical solutions that can be implemented effectively.  Our focus is on providing practical advice and assistance in addition to our audit services.

We have nine staff who specialize in areas of auditing, accounting, financial reporting, financial management and related tax issues.  In addition, we have developed a network of other not-for-profit organization specialists in Toronto including lawyers, bookkeeping consultants and other professionals who can provide expertise over and above that which we have available internally.

In addition, our firm helps over 800 individuals with their personal tax planning and annual income tax return preparation.

Phil Cowperthwaite formed Cowperthwaite Mehta with his partners after 10 years with Ernst & Young both in Toronto and overseas. Since 1986 he has chosen to specialize primarily in providing financial management, auditing and tax services and advice to service based not-for-profit organizations in the greater Toronto area. His team, comprising Sharon Mugford, Yen Chou, and Janet Roeder, currently provides auditing and accounting services to over 150 childcare centres, a number of children’s mental health and community centres and numerous other not-for-profit organizations.

As part of his public practice Phil writes, teaches and frequently speaks on the subject of financial administration, accounting and tax for not-for-profit organizations. He was a member of the Auditing Standards Board of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants from 1997 to 2000. He is currently on two Assurance Standards task forces and was heavily involved in the CICA not-for-profit accounting task force from 1990 to 1993.

Phil authored most of the articles on this web site.

Roger Mehta spent four years with KPMG in Toronto before forming Cowperthwaite Mehta. His practice includes dealing with owner-managed small businesses in various industries including film, advertising, marketing and promotion, professional services and franchises.  His practice also includes the audits of a number of not-for-profit organizations including condominium corporations, housing co-ops and various not-for-profit organizations and charities in the arts community.  His team members are familiar with the particular concerns and reporting requirements unique to these organizations. Roger and his professional staff, Bruce Barber, Edmond Leung, and Linda Stewart assist many of his clients with both their personal and corporate income tax planning and general compliance with various government filings.  Roger's team also provides assistance with personal income tax and other tax compliance requirements to many self-employed individuals.

Barb Scott worked primarily in audit for Ernst & Young for 16 years before joining Cowperthwaite Mehta in 1997.   Barb currently provides auditing and accounting services to over 30 childcare centres, over 30 arts based organizations and numerous other not-for-profit organizations.  Barb is on the editorial review board of the Guide to Accounting and Auditing for Not-For-Profit Organizations, part of the Carswell Professional Practice Library. 

Bruce Barber joined Cowperthwaite Mehta in 1992 after graduating from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He became a Chartered Accountant in 1994. In 1996 he qualified as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois.    Bruce works extensively in providing tax planning and compliance services to personal and corporate tax clients and, in that regard, has successfully completed the CICA’s In Depth Tax Course.  

Edmond Leung joined Cowperthwaite Mehta in 1992 after spending two years at Deloitte & Touche and now has over fourteen years experience in public accounting.  A graduate from York University, Edmond received his CGA professional designation in 2000.  Edmond works with Roger on a number not-for-profit clients and owner-managed clients in various sectors including co-operative housing, advertising and film. Edmond also provides assistance to a number of self-employed individuals with unincorporated businesses.  He is fluent in Cantonese.

Sharon Mugford joined Cowperthwaite Mehta after years of experience in administration in the film and entertainment industries. Over the past thirteen years Sharon has developed in-depth expertise in all areas of accounting and administration for the not-for-profit sector in general and the childcare field specifically. She is currently involved in the annual audits of over 120 childcare centres in the greater Toronto area.  Sharon also has significant expertise in all areas of payroll administration in Ontario.

Linda Stewart joined Cowperthwaite Mehta in 1998 after eight years of experience in administration and management for professional services firms.  A graduate of Durham College, Linda is in the final year of completing her CGA designation.  Linda provides income tax planning and accounting services to many owner-managed small business corporations and self-employed individuals.  With a strong background in accounting systems, Linda helps many clients with establishing a system of record keeping that is appropriate to the particular needs of the organization and abilities of the individual carrying out the work.  She has particular expertise with the Simply Accounting software.  Linda also assists with the audits of many not-for-profit organizations.

Yen Chou joined Cowperthwaite Mehta in 2000.  Yen has over 15 years experience servicing owner operated businesses.  Yen graduated from the University of Alabama with a masters degree in accounting in 1984.

Janet Roeder has been with Cowperthwaite Mehta since 1999.  Janet provides administrative support for the entire office.