Meet The Team
Our dedicated and experienced team has a strong reputation for providing anxiety reducing and inspiring services. But, we’re so much more than just your typical accountants. Read on and get to know the team!
John Swain, CPA, CA
President & CEO
john@swaincpa.ca
(902) 334-2547
John
John once lived in Bermuda. For some reason sun and sand just didn’t appeal to him the same way as the cold, harsh, Nova Scotia winters. Despite this quirk John is, last time we checked, perfectly sane. So we’ll have to suppose his love of Bridgewater comes from family ties and long standing community connections. When not pursuing his dream of being the president of an accounting firm founded on the principles of providing anxiety reduction and personalized support for small business owners, he’s cooking, playing old-time rock & roll, and fussing just a little too much over his hair. He also, along with his wife, encourages his two daughters to be the best people they can be through community involvement and charitable giving.
Before hanging his own shingle John worked with excellent companies like Grant Thornton, Bank of Bermuda, and Olympia Capital.
John’s community investment includes being a Committee Member of ‘Christmas on the LaHave’, Past Director Bridgewater Area Chamber of Commerce, Past Director Lunenburg West PC Association, Founding Chair of Lunenburg County Young Professionals Network, Past Director of Finance St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Past Deputy Grand Knight Knights of Columbus, current Board Member with Devour! The Food Film Fest.
Samantha Crouse, CPA
Partner
(902) 543-5535
Samantha
Samantha recently completed the requirements for both an undergraduate degree and an accounting designation. This experience was easily comparable to Frodo Baggins setting out and destroying the One Ring. But Sam also has volunteering, a family, and a career in the mix so Frodo had it a little easier.
Sam is the Chairperson for the Small World Learning Centre, which sadly does not involve the shrink ray from Honey I Shrunk the Kids. But they do have a mission to engage “mind, body and spirit through quality early childhood education” which is a pretty close second to a shrink ray.
At the office Sam is keen on providing the highest level of customer service, and has even overcome language barriers on an international level to be there for clients. When the aliens finally arrive we have no doubt that she’ll be the one diving into their books.
Michelle Mansfield, CPA, CGA
Partner
michelle@swaincpa.ca
(902) 543-1492
Michelle
Like most people, Michelle is not just one thing. For example, she loves spending summer weekends at truck pull rallies with her family and friends. But, whenever she has the opportunity, she heads south to Disney for her fill of Winnie the Pooh time. In addition to her BBA from Acadia and her CGA, Michelle also has a great sense of humor and helpful spirit. All of this makes for a pretty well rounded individual that we’re happy to have on the team!
Logan
All you really need to know about Logan is that he and his father once jumped out of an airplane, on purpose.
But if you’re still curious about him, we can go deeper. He’s a Bridgewater boy through and through, but he took the opportunity to move to Halifax for life experience and to grow with Swains.
As a millennial, Logan is automatically assumed to be good with software and apps. Luckily this is actually the case because he’s our office expert on both Xero and Quickbooks Online.
When not at work Logan likes to get lost around the city or in the woods. It’s fine. This is what a chip tracker is for.
Tracey
Tracey has been in the public accounting industry for 20+ years… and she’s seen it all! But, if you really know Tracey then you know that at any given time she could be at a gym, pool or field doing the one thing she loves most – supporting her 3 kids!
Shannon Whynacht
Client Liaison
shannon@swaincpa.ca
(902) 703-6841
Shannon
Shannon’s passion for numbers started early; in elementary school, she used to take her math work home and do it for fun. That’s probably not something to brag about, but she does anyway. She’s come a long way since then! After graduating with Honors from NSCC with a diploma in Business Administration, she’s gained a decade of experience in accounting and customer service. When she’s not doing math for fun, she’s spending time with her family, going four-wheeling, or tending to her trio of chickens. She may be a CFA (Come From Away), but she’s a Nova Scotia girl, through and through.
Patty
The office may hold her, but it certainly can’t contain her. Every summer she heads to her camp- her personal oasis- by the sea. Those summers with her friends and family sooth her soul and calms her inner beast. Though, even her inner beast is still pretty great to be around.
While the beach is her place of rest, the office is her place to shine. She’s perfected the art of customer satisfaction and keeps the office in line and running smoothly. She’s the happy and smiling face you see when you first enter the door of our Bridgewater office.