Abby Kassar, CPA, CA, CFP, TEP, FEA
Vice President, High Net Worth Planning Services, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Abby specializes in tax and estate planning for high-net-worth and ultra high-net-worth families.
Her guidance supports clients in their relationships with their external professional advisors, with whom she frequently interacts.
Prior to joining High Net Worth Planning Services, Abby provided tax, retirement, estate and financial planning advice to RBC advisors and their clients. She has written articles on various topics including charitable donations, executive compensation, tax planning and retirement planning.
Prior to joining RBC, Abby worked in a medium sized accounting firm assisting business executives and high net worth clients with their tax planning and estate planning. She worked closely with owner-manager shareholders to assess and recommend the best tax planning strategies, the best corporate structure and the most suitable succession plan.
Abby is a Chartered Accountant and has a Bachelor in Economics and Commerce from the University of Toronto. She completed the In-Depth tax courses I and II and the In-Depth Tax Issues for the Owner-Managed Business as well as the Canadian Securities Course. She is also a Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and has obtained the STEP Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising. Abby is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation. Lastly, Abby is a certified Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), which allows her to address the complex needs of family enterprise clients.
Stephen Wiffen, CLU, CH.F.C.
Estate Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc.
For over 30 years, Steve has helped families and business owners develop a framework using integrated wealth planning solutions. Clients and their advisors trust Steve’s ability and expertise to develop a solution based on client-centred needs and a values-based approach.
Steve examines insurance planning differently and recognizes that each client situation is unique. His approach is to plan first and then educate clients about their options, so they can make an informed choice best suited to their goals and objectives. Whether it be protection needed during income-earning/business-building years, the preservation of capital or ability to transfer accumulated wealth, Steve is there to help implement a solution that addresses your personal and corporate needs in a tax-efficient manner.
Evaluating the various insurance offerings from Canada’s top-ranked insurance providers, Steve will work together with your professional advisors to ensure you receive high-quality, cost-effective insurance solutions.
Scott VanEngen, CPA, CA, CFP
Financial Planning Specialist, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Scott brings his 33 plus years of financial services experience to the clients he meets, including 18 years in public practice (six years as a Partner) with a local CA firm. He has worked with clients in the areas of tax, estate and business strategy including family business succession planning.
Prior to joining RBC Family Office Services, Scott provided services for four years to RBC clients as a Commercial Account Manager, focused on owner- managed business and agriculture clients, and four years as a Private Banker, assisting high net worth clients with personal banking, credit and financial planning needs.
Scott is member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, and the Financial Planners Standard Council. He is a Canadian Association of Family Enterprises trained family business facilitator, a Family Business Advisor and graduate of the University of Guelph with an animal science and agriculture business degree. He is also a member of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisers and holds a CAFA designation, (Certified Agriculture Farm Advisor).
Scott will work with your advisors to prepare and present a comprehensive Compass Financial Plan specific to you.
Alessandra Prioreschi, MA, JD
Will & Estate Consultant, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
After completing a Master of Arts degree in English at the University of Waterloo, Alessandra obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law in 2000. She was called to the Ontario bar in February of 2002, and commenced her career as a tax lawyer with the Toronto office of
a prominent national law firm, completing Levels I and II of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants’ In-Depth Tax Course.
Over her years in private practice, Alessandra served a variety of business clients and their owners ranging from technology start-ups to established manufacturing, property development and retail businesses, advising on tax and estate-planning, including wills and trusts.
Alessandra is now pleased to offer her years of advisory experience to provide Will and Estate Planning services to RBC’s valued clients.
Complimentary Will & Estate planning consultation
In appreciation of your valued business relationship with us, your advisor is pleased to offer you a complimentary Will & Estate Planning consultation with Alessandra, a Will & Estate Consultant.
Alessandra works closely with your advisor to provide you with information on structuring your estate in an efficient and tax effective manner. Following your meeting, Alessandra will provide you with a report outlining various estate planning issues for you to explore in further detail with your own lawyer or accountant.
To schedule a meeting with Alessandra Prioreschi, please contact your advisor.
As a Senior Trust Advisor, Susan Macdonald serves clients throughout Western Ontario and is located in the Hamilton office. With a career focused on client relationships, she is dedicated to her clients and provides a personalized service tailored to their specific needs. She provides a wealth of knowledge relating to trusts and their administration. Susan has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise with key industry designations such as Member, Trust Institute (MTI) and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designations.
Susan works with individuals, families and businesses to provide customized estate, trust and incapacity solutions. Whether it is helping someone to settle an estate, establishing a trust to ensure the successful transfer of family assets, or arranging to assist with the administration and responsibilities for a power of attorney, Susan can help.
With more than 20 years of industry experience, Susan brings to each client the necessary skill set to provide both the technical expertise as well as the genuine understanding of the emotional complexities that underlie these issues. Susan understands that no two clients are the same and so together with her RBC Royal Trust partners she can find the solution that’s right for you.