Serena Kekelj
Windsor,ON
Summary
CPA with over 5 years of experience in financial reporting, assurance, tax, and advisory services. Recognized for effective leadership, people management, and the ability to oversee complex files while mentoring and developing high-performing teams.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Accounting Manager
Melo LLP
Windsor, Ontario
12.2025 - Current
- Lead the review of compilation and review engagements, ensuring compliance with professional and firm standards, and the timely issuance of financial statements.
- Provide technical guidance and quality review of work prepared by junior accountants across assurance and accounting files, supporting a team of 4+ staff accountants.
- Maintain and strengthen existing client relationships while fostering new engagements through responsive communication, trusted advisory support, and a client-first approach.
- Provide ongoing tax guidance and business strategy support to existing clients across multiple industries, delivering tailored solutions that align with both operational goals and long-term growth plans.
- Oversee the review and approval of client journal entries to support reliable financial reporting, and ensure consistency with internal controls.
- Developing and implementing budgeting procedures for effective financial planning for existing clients.
- Mentor and train junior staff by providing ongoing guidance, reviewing work, and serving as a technical resource for accounting and assurance matters.
Sr. Staff Accountant
Melo LLP
Windsor, Ontario
09.2024 - 12.2025
- Reviewed junior accountants’ compilation files, including analyzing adjusting journal entries, revenue recognition, expense classification, and note disclosures, ensuring financial statements were accurate, internally consistent, and compliant with the applicable accounting framework.
- Independently prepared and delivered review engagement financial statements under ASPE. Conducted year-end client meetings related to review files to explain financial performance, identify planning opportunities, and support strategic decision-making.
- Prepared and managed audit files, including not-for-profit audits, by planning and executing substantive testing, reviewing key account areas, and ensuring audit documentation supported the issuance of the audit opinion.
- Assisted with the management of T4s, T5s, and T1s during tax season, which included creating and developing processes for staff to follow to ensure returns are filed on time and with great accuracy. Also, dividing workflow among staff and holding weekly meetings to ensure the team was meeting deadlines.
- Assisted staff with files, and answering questions regarding tax rules and changes.
- Professionally prepared personal tax returns, and provided tax knowledge to questioning clients.
- Led tax planning for small business owners by designing integrated personal and corporate tax strategies that optimized after-tax results, addressed owner-manager compensation, and aligned business decisions with long-term financial objectives.
- Managed client compilation engagements across a broad range of industries, including condominium corporations, retail, food and restaurant operations, automotive, construction, manufacturing, medical practices, online gaming businesses, and digital influencers.
- Client relationship management; built and maintained client relationships by ensuring that clients’ needs were met in a professional and friendly manner, and work was completed on-time
Junior Staff Accountant
Melo LLP
Windsor, Ontario
12.2021 - 09.2024
- Prepared compilation financial statements by organizing client-provided information, posting adjusting journal entries, and ensuring financial statements were presented in accordance with the applicable accounting framework.
- Prepared review engagements by performing analytical procedures and documenting management inquiries to support the issuance of limited assurance financial statements under ASPE.
- Supported audit engagements by executing substantive testing, documenting working papers, and assisting with audit procedures to obtain reasonable assurance over the accuracy and completeness of financial statements.
- Planned and executed condominium corporation audits by testing reserve fund balances and expenditures, assessing compliance with provincial condominium legislation and evaluating key revenue, expense, and cash controls to support the issuance of the audit opinion.
- Compiled and analyzed corporate year-end financial statements in order to prepare tax returns for manager review.
- Professionally prepared personal tax returns while addressing client inquiries regarding tax matters.
- Assisted the senior tax partner daily by researching tax regulations, preparing trust returns, and producing investment summaries.
- Managed client relationships by meeting needs promptly and maintaining a friendly, professional rapport.
- Maintained accurate bookkeeping records for corporate clients through organized monthly reporting and data collection.
- Assisted with the management and preparation of T4s, T5s, and T1s which included creating and developing processes for staff to follow to ensure returns are filed on time and accurately.
- Monitored updates on Canadian taxation policies to ensure compliance with current regulations.
Staff Accountant
Sarkis Isaac CPA
Windsor, Ontario
09.2020 - 12.2021
- Assisted small business clients with bookkeeping, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance accounting procedures and workflows.
- Executed monthly account reconciliations for bank accounts, credit cards, and balance sheet accounts.
- Prepared personal and corporate tax returns while facilitating CRA correspondences.
Junior Accountant – Assurance Group
Grant Thornton L.L.P.
Windsor, Ontario
03.2020 - 05.2020
- Prepared personal tax returns for the 2019 tax season.
- Assisted with review engagements for corporate clients; collecting data and analyzing financial statements in accordance with the Canadian Standard on Review Engagements.
- Prepared corporate T2 returns for both not-for-profit and for-profit organizations.
- Preparation of compilation engagements in compliance with ASPE.
Facility Staff Attendant
University of Toronto Athletics
Mississauga, Ontario
10.2015 - 12.2019
- Front desk duties included greeting members, confirming membership legitimacy, answering facility related questions and addressing concerns while ensuring an overall positive member experience.
- Managed and conducted set-ups / take-down of various campus and sporting events.
- Responsible for maintaining a clean and safe work-out area for members by running regular facility checks and cleaning procedures.
Resident DON
University of Toronto Residence
Mississauga, Ontario
09.2017 - 08.2019
- Responsible for a group of first year students; provided a support and main person of contact for students living on residence, and counselled students on a monthly basis.
- Designed, prepared, and carried out weekly student gatherings to help develop students’ interpersonal skills and tools for a successful university career.
- Responsible for conducting weekly safety checks around the resident grounds and student dormitories.
- Planned, and hosted differing events for first-year students; these events helped students meet other students, some were to provide stress-relief during exam season and others were designed to teach students.
Junior Accountant – Assurance Group (summer internship)
Grant Thornton L.L.P.
Windsor, Ontario
05.2018 - 09.2018
- Preparation of corporate year-end financial statements and corporate tax returns.
- Completed review engagements under the supervision of senior managers.
- Accompanied senior auditors with audits by conducting various audit tests in compliance with CPA standards.
Education
CPA Candidate, successful completion of the 2024 CFE -
CPA Ontario
09-2024
Honors, B.A. - Specialist (BCom) in Accounting and Economics major
University of Toronto Mississauga
12-2019
Contemporary Pilates Training Certification
Dr. Son Guyen04-2025
Skills
- Successful candidate, CPA, CA September 2024
- Professional Judgment, Ethics & Integrity
- Quality Assurance & Attention to Detail
- Client Relationship Management & Communication
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Cash Flow Management
- Multi-Project & Deadline Management
- Tax Compliance & Advisory (CRA, Payroll, Sales Tax – Canada)
- Financial Strategy & Business Advisory
- Team Leadership, Coaching & Engagement
- Internal Controls & Asset Protection
- Accounting Software: TaxPrep, CaseWare, Sage
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Accounting Manager
Melo LLP
12.2025 - Current
Sr. Staff Accountant
Melo LLP
09.2024 - 12.2025
Junior Staff Accountant
Melo LLP
12.2021 - 09.2024
Staff Accountant
Sarkis Isaac CPA
09.2020 - 12.2021
Junior Accountant – Assurance Group
Grant Thornton L.L.P.
03.2020 - 05.2020
Junior Accountant – Assurance Group (summer internship)
Grant Thornton L.L.P.
05.2018 - 09.2018
Resident DON
University of Toronto Residence
09.2017 - 08.2019
Facility Staff Attendant
University of Toronto Athletics
10.2015 - 12.2019
CPA Candidate, successful completion of the 2024 CFE -
CPA Ontario
Honors, B.A. - Specialist (BCom) in Accounting and Economics major
University of Toronto Mississauga
Contemporary Pilates Training Certification