& Company (then Becker Daley LLP).“It was a difficult decision to leave KPMG,” hesays, “but ultimately I saw it as an opportunity Icouldn’t pass up. Even while I was articling, Iknew I wanted to be a partner—I wanted to beat the front <strong>of</strong> client relationships.”Today, he advises a broad range <strong>of</strong> clients onbusiness, accounting, and taxation issues. He’salso in charge <strong>of</strong> his firm’s financial management.“When I first joined Daley & Company, thefirm had no tax department,” he says. “I had theopportunity to lead in its development, andtoday our tax department has four full-timemembers in tax.”In his work with clients, Mike has found hisentrepreneurial background invaluable.“I can really identify with business owners,” hesays. “I’ve experienced what it’s like to be ontheir side <strong>of</strong> things, and I remember what it waslike to work with an accountant and not fullyunderstand what they were telling me. So I havea good understanding <strong>of</strong> my clients’ point <strong>of</strong>view, which helps me give them the in<strong>for</strong>mationthey need to make truly in<strong>for</strong>med decisions.”“I get to know my clients on a personal level,” headds, “and I want to go above and beyond <strong>for</strong>them. As a tax practitioner, that means staying updap_beyondnumbers_jan23.eps 1/26/2009 2:28:16 PMUBC DAPThe gateway to accountingAccelerate your future with the Diploma in AccountingProgram (DAP) at the University <strong>of</strong> British Columbia.to date and continually learning. It’s challenging,but it’s the kind <strong>of</strong> challenge I enjoy. I likebuilding a skill set that is useful and in demand.”That skill set has made him highly desirable inthe community as well. In 2008, Mike wasappointed chair <strong>of</strong> the finance committee <strong>for</strong> theboard <strong>of</strong> governors <strong>of</strong> Thompson Rivers University.Past community service includes serving on theboard <strong>of</strong> directors <strong>of</strong> the Kamloops West RotaryClub and as treasurer on the board <strong>of</strong> directors<strong>of</strong> the Kamloops and District Crime Stoppers.With so much on his plate, Mike is extremelygrateful <strong>for</strong> the love and support <strong>of</strong> family. “Myparents have always supported me,” he says. “Andmy wife, Melanie is very supportive as well.”He and Melanie have a six-year-old daughter,Ellie, <strong>of</strong> whom they are extremely proud. “I tryto spend as much time with her as possible,”Mike says. “It seems like just last week she was atoddler. Time passes so quickly.”This <strong>Early</strong> <strong>Achievement</strong> Award is really justicing on the cake.“The biggest reward,” Mike says, “is that I havea challenging career that I thoroughly enjoy.”DAP prepares university graduates with limited or no training in accounting<strong>for</strong> entry into a pr<strong>of</strong>essional accounting designation. DAP's curriculum isrecognized by the <strong>Chartered</strong> Accountants School <strong>of</strong> Business (CASB)and satisfies most <strong>of</strong> the program requirements.APPLICATION DEADLINESMay start: Mar 1 (International applicants)Apr 1 (Canadian applicants)Sep start: Jul 1 (International applicants)Aug 1 (Canadian applicants)Find out how DAP can accelerate your future: www.sauder.ubc.ca/dapTHE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIANolan Watson, CA, CFA“The most rewarding part <strong>of</strong> my career has beenthe satisfaction associated with attaining goalsI’ve set <strong>for</strong> myself,” says Nolan Watson. “I tendto ignore the goals that other people set <strong>for</strong> me.I prefer to focus on goals that I believe are bothhighly challenging and attainable.”It’s fair to say that he sets these goals very high.Asked what drives him, he answers: “I’m drivenby an awareness that life is very short, and sinceyou only live once, you had better make itcount.”After earning a bachelor <strong>of</strong> commerce withhonours from the University <strong>of</strong> British Columbiain 2001, Nolan entered the CA program as anarticling student with Deloitte LLP in Vancouver.In 2002, he excelled on the UFE, placing fourthnationally and first in BC, which netted him agold medal and the role <strong>of</strong> valedictorian at the2003 Convocation ceremony.While working with Deloitte, Nolan found avaluable mentor in Glenn Ives, CA, one <strong>of</strong> thefirm’s partners.“Glenn definitely had an impact on my careerdevelopment,” he says. “He was an early rolemodel <strong>for</strong> me who helped me develop a passion<strong>for</strong> client service, as well as an eagerness tochallenge and extend myself.”Nolan qualified as a CA in 2003, and stayedwith Deloitte <strong>for</strong> another two years, workingin the firm’s corporate finance departmentper<strong>for</strong>ming business valuations and merger andacquisition support services. In 2005, he becamea chartered financial analyst charter holder.It was also in 2005 that Nolan left publicpractice to join Silver Wheaton Corp. as itscontroller. He was the company’s first employee.Ian Telfer, the company’s founder, becameanother influential mentor.“The knowledge and experience I obtainedfrom becoming a CA is a critical foundation <strong>for</strong>effective business decision-making,” Nolan says.“Ian has helped me build on that foundation,teaching me a lot about various aspects <strong>of</strong>business, including acquisitions, and aboutmentoring others to help them reach theirpotential.”Nolan was promoted to CFO at the beginning<strong>of</strong> 2006. During his three years with SilverWheaton, Nolan was part <strong>of</strong> the team that listedthe company on the New York Stock Exchange.He subsequently became the youngest CFO <strong>of</strong>an NYSE-listed company, at just 26 years old.By the age <strong>of</strong> 28, he had raised over $1 billion indebt and equity <strong>for</strong> acquisition purposes. Underhis leadership, Silver Wheaton grew from a marketcapitalization <strong>of</strong> $0.3 billion to $3 billion.In 2008, Nolan left Silver Wheaton to become12 ica.bc.ca June/Summer ’09
“I’m driven by an awareness that life is very short, and since you only live once, you had better make it count,” says Nolan Watson, CA.Photo by Kent Kallberg <strong>of</strong> Kent Kallberg Studios Ltd. in Vancouver.the president and CEO <strong>of</strong> a new company,Sandstorm Resources.“I made the move because I wanted to be part<strong>of</strong> building a company from the ground flooragain,” he explains.Listed on the TSX-V, the company is lookingto build a metal-streaming business plan similarto that <strong>of</strong> Silver Wheaton, but in metals otherthan silver. In April 2009 alone, Nolan raised$47 million <strong>for</strong> the company.In addition to his role at Sandstorm Resources,Nolan currently serves as a director <strong>of</strong> anotherTSX-V listed company, Gold Wheaton GoldCorp., another company founded by his mentorIan Telfer.Nevertheless, Nolan downplays his accomplishments,saying: “To be candid, I’m notoverly impressed with my accomplishments yet.”This, despite the fact that he was named toBusiness in Vancouver’s Top 40 under 40 list in2006, and voted one <strong>of</strong> the most motivatedCFAs in the world by CFA Magazine in 2008.Asked what has been most challenging so far inhis career, Nolan says, “ensuring that my careergoals are consistent with my life goals.”These life goals include making a difference inthe community. Passionate about communitydevelopment, Nolan founded an internationalhumanitarian organization called Nations Cryin 2004. The organization builds schools toprovide education <strong>for</strong> orphans in Sierra Leone,Africa.“Our goal is to provide youth with a sense<strong>of</strong> hope,” he says, “as well as the tools andeducation needed to help them move out <strong>of</strong>poverty and change their lives and the lives<strong>of</strong> their families, as well as helping futuregenerations.”Nolan continues to serve as the president <strong>of</strong>Nations Cry.“I want to make the world a better place,” hesays. “We shouldn’t just focus on doing thosethings that make us feel good, we should als<strong>of</strong>ocus on things that will actually make a permanentdifference, and education is at the top <strong>of</strong>that list.”Another key life goal is making time <strong>for</strong> thosewho matter most.“There is no question that my family, mydaughters, and my wife Dana are the most importantpeople in my life,” Nolan says, addingthat support <strong>of</strong> his loved ones is invaluable.“They ensure that I work towards attaining mypotential, while also keeping me grounded.”June/Summer ’09 ica.bc.ca 13
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