ABOUT THE FIRM AND PARTNERS OF MCCUTCHEN & PEARCE PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation’s roots date to 1983, when Stephen Mitchell commenced operating S.J. Mitchell Professional Corporation, an independent public accounting office in Stratford, Ontario.
In 2011, Craig Pearce joined the firm as a partner. Craig’s educational background with a Master's in Taxation, as well as his experience in the tax specialty group of a national accounting firm, created an ideal fit.
In 2017 Mike McCutchen joined the partnership following Steve's retirement. Having gained experience in tax planning through roles in public accounting and the financial industry, the move to Mitchell & Pearce was a perfect match for both him and the firm.
The firm continues to strengthen and expand its focus in the areas of financial, estate and tax planning to complement their core functions of accounting and tax preparation. Each and every member of the McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation staff endeavors to provide our clients with the best advice conveyed clearly and concisely.
CRAIG PEARCE, CPA, CA
Craig lives in Stratford with his wife and three children. Craig joined McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation as a partner in 2011. Prior to becoming a partner at McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation, Craig worked in the tax departments with an international accounting firm in Toronto and then with a national accounting firm here in Stratford.
Throughout his years of working in public practice, Craig has provided his clients with advice in the areas of personal and corporate tax planning, estate and succession planning, and corporate reorganizations.
Craig was born in Stratford and raised in Woodstock. Craig graduated from the University of Waterloo with an honours degree in economics before pursuing and graduating from the University of Waterloo’s Master of Taxation program. Craig obtained his C.A. designation while working with a national accounting firm.
Professional affiliations include membership in the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario and the Canadian Tax Foundation. Craig is also a member of the Stratford Rotary Club and currently serves as a director on the board of the Stratford Rotary Club.
MIKE MCCUTCHEN, CPA, CA
Mike joined McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation as a partner in 2017. Prior to becoming a partner at McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation, Mike worked in a large regional accounting firm providing tax advice to owner managed businesses, individuals and real estate investors. His prior experience has been extensive, having worked at a local firm in London, a national accounting firm and a Bay Street Toronto accounting firm, in addition to his industry experience managing the tax department of a mutual fund company. Mike’s practice focuses on creating tax efficient strategies for owner managed businesses and individuals, particularly in minimizing tax burdens of extracting funds from the corporation. He also has specialized training in the areas of US Tax and has completed the CICA In-Depth Tax and In-Depth HST programs.
Mike and his wife Tara and four children live in Stratford. An avid sports fan, he can be found on the hockey rink playing or coaching in the winter and hitting the golf course in the summer. Mike is the current Treasurer of the Stratford and Area Chamber of Commerce.
HEATHER HOLLAND, CPA, CGA
Heather joined McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation in 2019 as an accounting manager and in 2023 was promoted to partner. She was born and raised in Sudbury until her post-secondary education took her to the Kitchener-Waterloo area. She graduated from the Conestoga College Bachelor of Business Administration degree program in 2013. She continued with her studies in the CGA program and completed her designation in 2016. She now resides in Stratford and is excited about what the community has to offer.
Heather has gained valuable experience working in public accounting, excels at accounting for small businesses and forms strong relationships with her clients.
Heather is currently serving on the board of directors for the Emily Murphy Centre as the Treasurer. In her free time, she enjoys biking, camping, spending time with friends and family, watching hockey and travelling.
ROB STEINBACH, CPA, CGA
Rob lives in Mitchell with his wife and 2 boys. Rob received his CGA designation in 2001 after 3 years in the Fanshawe College accounting program. He has worked in public accounting for over 25 years in London and Stratford. During his working career, he has worked with his clients closely, providing tax advice, accounting assistance, management support and computer software setup and support.
Rob was born and raised in Mitchell. He started young as a businessperson running a small partnership of snow removal at the age of 11. He has helped coach hockey and baseball for many years and has been part of a few All-Ontario Championship teams. Golf is a passion for him and he has been a board member at the Mitchell Golf and Country Club for over 20 years. Not only is Rob exceptional in providing tax advice to farm clients but takes that passion to the field and can be found in a harvester in the fall.
JANICE RICHARDSON, CPA, CGA
Janice grew up on a farm near Clinton, moving to Stratford in 1989 while attending Conestoga College. Deciding on a career change, Janice joined McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation in 2004 and began taking courses in the CGA program. After completing a university degree through Laurentian University she obtained the CGA designation in 2013. Janice enjoys every aspect of her position at McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation and has found the experience gained through working in public practice invaluable firstly in obtaining her designation and subsequently in continuing professional development.
Janice is currently serving on the board of directors for the The Stratford Perth Museum. In her free time, she enjoys reading or doing landscaping and renovating her home, which she shares with her husband, Ivan.
ALLISON MOSER, CPA
Allison is a lifelong resident of Elmira. She attended both Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo receiving a Graduate Diploma of Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Laurier as well as a Bachelor of Computer Science from UW. She joined McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation in September of 2016 through Laurier’s co-op program and came on full-time in January of 2018. She completed and received her CPA designation in the April of 2020. When she is not in the office, she can be found cheering on her Toronto Blue Jays in the summer or at the Woolwich arena supporting the minor hockey teams in the winter.
KATIE VAN NYNATTEN, CPA, CA
Katie joined McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation as a manager in 2023. She grew up in Perth County and, in 2014, earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Northeastern University in Boston. Katie continued schooling at Wilfried Laurier University and obtained her CPA, CA designation while working in public accounting in 2016.
In 2017, Katie left public practice to become a Controller at a local automation company. After a successful merger and acquisition, she left the automation industry to be Director of Finance at Cowbell Brewing Company. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Stratford Perth Hospice Foundation. She has a wide range of financial management knowledge and strategic planning experience.
She lives on a chicken farm with her husband and two young boys. In her limited spare time, she can be found playing hockey and golf or enjoying family time. She is a passionate team member and is excited to connect with individuals and business owners for tax services and business strategies.
TERESA HAYCOCK
After graduating from Conestoga College with a diploma in Business Accounting, Teresa was employed with Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited for 15 years in the accounting division until its closure in 1998. In January 1999, she joined the team of McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation, where she prepares financial statements, corporate and personal tax returns.
Teresa is a lifelong resident of New Hamburg, where she and her husband, Roger, raised two daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching baseball and spending time with family and friends.
JUDY WESTMAN
Judy joined McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation in July 2012 as an administrative assistant. She is a graduate of the Business Administrative Program at Conestoga College. Judy was employed at a Medical Rehab Clinic in Kitchener/Waterloo as their Administrator for over 20 years before its closure.
Judy was raised on a dairy farm just outside of Poole and now lives in Milverton with her husband Phil. Together, they raised two daughters, Taylor and Harley, who both now live in Stratford. In her spare time, she enjoys playing golf, watching various sporting events and gardening.
SHELBY HOGGART
Shelby graduated from Conestoga College with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration- Accounting, Audit, and Information Technology in January 2018. She immediately began working at McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation, where she prepares financial statements and corporate and personal tax returns. Shelby is a lifelong resident of Huron County and currently resides there with her family. In her spare time, she will be found with a book in her hand or spending time with her friends and family.
NIK GERBER
Nik joined the McCutchen & Pearce team in 2019. His studies began with a diploma in Business Administration-Accounting from Conestoga College. Nik later received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Audit and Information Technology. Post-graduation, he began his career working for a local accounting firm in his hometown of Kitchener. Nik’s professional focus is on preparing financial statements, corporate taxes, and personal tax returns.
In his spare time, he can be found catching some rays at the neighbour’s pool or spending time with family and friends.
MICHELLE ROMPHF
Michelle joined McCutchen and Pearce Professional Corporation in 2019 as an administrative assistant. Prior to this, she worked for many years in the community services sector. Michelle was born in Stratford but grew up in several locations within Southwestern Ontario. She is married to Mark and has two grown children, Adam and Cody. In her spare time, she pursues creative outlets and enjoys hiking, skiing, golfing and spending time at Lake Huron in the summer.
JURIAN DE MOL
Jurian was born and raised in Heeswijk-Dinther, the Netherlands and currently lives in Thamesford with his wife. He moved to Canada in October 2018. Jurian studied for both accounting and teacher’s college. He has a professional past in financial administration and accounting, and he was an English teacher for several years in the Netherlands. At McCutchen & Pearce, he prepares financial statements and corporate and personal tax returns with a focus on final returns and estate returns.
In his spare time, he likes to bike indoors and outdoors, follow sports, tend to his indoor and outdoor gardens, spend time with family and friends and try to explore all that Canada has to offer.
KYLE SIPPEL
Kyle joined the McCutchen & Pearce team in 2022. He was born and raised in Listowel and now resides in Stratford with his wife, Amanda. He graduated from Conestoga College with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Audit, and Information Technology in January 2019. In his spare time, he enjoys playing hockey, golf, and travelling.
KEITH SAUVE
Keith graduated from Conestoga College with an advanced diploma in Accounting and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Audit, and Information Technology in December 2021. Upon graduating, he then joined McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation in January 2022, where he does tax planning and prepares both corporate and personal tax returns. As a lifelong resident of Stratford, Keith is happy to have returned to his hometown to raise his three young children alongside his fiancée Amanda.
MORGAN MACLEAN
Morgan was born and raised in Stratford. She joined McCutchen & Pearce in 2022 as a staff accountant. Morgan began her studies at Fanshawe in the accounting program in 2021 after working locally in the service industry for many years. In her spare time, Morgan enjoys knitting and playing piano and spends summer weekends camping and enjoying the outdoors.
OWEN BYVELDS
Owen was born near Ottawa and has lived in Southwestern Ontario since 2017. He joined the McCutchen & Pearce team during his final year at the University of Guelph and began working full-time after graduating in 2023. Prior to joining, he worked with medical data as an analyst in the public health sector.
Outside of work, he can be found in Stratford playing hockey in town and spending time with friends and family.
JOANNE RYDER
Joanne joined McCutchen and Pearce in 2023 as an administrative assistant after recently moving to Stratford with her husband Scott. Prior to this, she worked for many years in the insurance and financial service industries. Joanne is now an empty nester as her only daughter is attending college in Sault Saint Marie.
In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting, singing in a local choir, and playing classical guitar as a member of the KW Guitar Orchestra.
COURTNEY MCBRIDE, CPA
Courtney grew up in Huron County and attended Western University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies and Graduate Diploma. She gained her experience in public accounting in Markham before obtaining her CPA designation in 2022. Courtney moved to Stratford and joined McCutchen & Pearce Professional Corporation in November 2023.
In her spare time, you can find her painting, playing board games, or skiing in the winter.
CARTER MCKAY, CO-OP STUDENT
Carter is a co-op student from Tavistock who is currently enrolled in his second year of the University of Guelph’s Accounting Co-op program. Carter is working on one of his co-op terms here at McCutchen & Pearce.
Outside of work and school, Carter enjoys spending time outdoors, watching & playing sports and skiing.
