The School District No. 5 (SD5) Board of Education has hired a new secretary-treasurer, Nick Taylor, following the resignation of Secretary-Treasurer, Alan Rice, who recently accepted a position with his hometown school district, Rocky Mountain School District No. 6 (SD6).

According to Frank Lento, Board Chair, the secretary– -treasurer is responsible for SD5’s annual budget of over $75 million, ensuring there is adequate educational space in well-maintained facilities for over 5,500 students, safe and reliable transportation, overseeing of payroll, various other accounting duties and most recently, ensuring effective facility COVID-19 safety protocols.

Given the magnitude of the position, the Board retained the services of Dr. Leroy Sloan, PhD, president of Sloan Consultants, to assist them in their search for a new secretary– -treasurer.

Sloan is a former educator, BC school superintendent and Alberta deputy minister and senior education advisor to the Alberta School Boards’ Association. Previously, Sloan assisted with the hiring of Superintendent Yardley and former Secretary-Treasurer Rice.

Born in Melfort, Saskatchewan, Taylor graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Commerce, receiving “Honours and Great Distinction” in 2013. Following graduation Taylor moved to Calgary, Alberta where he earned his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation in 2018.

Taylor has worked for BDO Canada LLP in Calgary for the past eight (8) years. Hired as a junior
accountant, he quickly earned his current position of audit and assurance manager. Taylor is a subject matter expert on complex financial reporting concepts and recently worked with the BDO Canada National Technical Group to assess the impact of new accounting standards including financial instruments and other changes affecting oil and gas companies.

Also a trainer and mentor, Taylor was selected as one of two representatives in Canada to work with BDO Global in Eindhoven, Netherlands to assist with the rollout and training of BDO staff on new audit software and has jointly led the annual BDO Calgary oil and gas accounting training session for the past five (5) years.

As a certified CPA tutor, Taylor volunteers at Common Final Examination (CFE) exam preparation events teaching and mentoring future CPAs as they prepare for their exams. For the past three years he has also marked the CPA CFE exam and has consistently been ranked as one of the top markers in Canada.

Married to wife Victoria, the couple is looking forward to moving to the East Kootenay with daughter Josephine (3) and son Theodore (1).

“We are excited to take part in the Kootenay lifestyle and all the outdoor activities that come with it,” said Taylor. “We love hiking and going to the lake and are especially excited to take the whole family skiing.” In his spare time, Taylor also enjoys building his own computers and is an avid reader —especially of books on leadership— citing John Maxwell as his favourite author.

Lento says Taylor’s background in training and mentorship and his interest in technology are added bonuses to his stellar track-record as a CPA. “It’s rare to find an individual that can manage a multi-million-dollar budget and capital projects, train and mentor staff, and who is also extremely tech-savvy.”

According to Lento, the board is thrilled to have Mr. Taylor join Superintendent Yardley as part of their district’s leadership team. “The role of secretary-treasurer requires someone with a broad education and varied professional experience to draw on. Equally important are strong interpersonal skills and engaging personality – qualities that can’t be learned— and the ability to form honest, respectful relationships with the Board, staff and stakeholders of SD5. Nick possesses all of these qualities.”

Taylor is equally thrilled to be joining SD5.

“My father-in-law was a secretary-treasurer in Saskatchewan, working with school districts for over 30 years and I have seen the positive impact a well-governed school district provides for students, staff, parents and communities. Having the opportunity to take part in shaping the future of SD5 through capital and educational initiatives is extremely exciting.”

According to Lento, SD5 and SD6 have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to share outgoing Secretary— Treasurer, Alan Rice, ensuring the smooth functioning of both districts until Taylor officially joins SD5 on October 1st, 2021. Rice will also provide consulting and mentorship to Taylor on an as-needed basis until the end of the year.

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