CELEBRATING 47 YEARS

February 2017 marked forty years for George Smith in public accounting in Newmarket. In 1977, he opened his doors as a sole practitioner and over the next forty years George has grown this once small practice into a firm with six partners, twelve staff, and two offices in Newmarket and Barrie.

Reflecting on his time spent building this business George says “My biggest accomplishment has been training, mentoring, and graduating thirteen professional staff. I very much enjoy guiding the staff and watching them grow in their faith and abilities.”

As for the leadership of the firm George says “Our partnership started with one and is now six, and we have two offices serving the needs of the community. We have amazing partners who all support each other and I respect their specific skills and gifts.”

Smith, Sykes, Leeper & Tunstall LLP has always been an active member in their community. They support sports teams, donate to food drives, and give regularly to various fundraising community initiatives.

As for the future of SSL&T, George has very much enjoyed serving the needs of the community and looks forward to seeing this continue. “I would also like to see the firm continue to provide a place for the staff and partners as they grow in their skills and abilities.”

George Smith started the firm as a sole practitioner in February 1977 in Newmarket, Ontario. Bryan Sykes became a partner in March 1987. Dale Leeper became a partner in March 1993, Trent Tunstall became a partner in March 1995, Brad Smith became a partner in January 2009, David Nyklicek became a partner in January 2013, Paul Abercrombie became a partner in January 2021, and Brennan Ayres became a partner in January 2022.

In recognition of the expanding partnership, the firm has operated under the following names:

1977
George H. Smith Chartered Accountant

1987
George Smith & Co. Chartered Accountants

1991
Smith & Sykes Chartered Accountants

1996
Smith, Sykes & Leeper Chartered Accountants

2003
Smith, Sykes, Leeper & Tunstall LLP

THE SSL GROUP CONSISTS OF:
Smith, Sykes, Leeper & Tunstall LLP — chartered professional accountants
SSL Group Inc. — advisory services