Tara is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA). She graduated with a Bachelor of Technology in Accounting from British Columbia Institute of Technology. Tara has also completed all three levels of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants’ In-Depth Tax Course.
Prior to joining RBC, Tara was a tax manager at one of the leading international public accounting firms. In her previous role, she worked with private companies, high net worth individuals, partnerships, trusts and estates. Her work included tax minimization through appropriate tax planning (corporate and personal, including estate planning) and corporate restructuring.
Tara’s role is to work with and support your RBC advisor in preparing and presenting comprehensive Compass Financial Plans, and to identify and assess any related financial, tax and retirement planning concerns you may have.
Patrick Cziolek, BCom, PFA, AVA, CHS, TEP
Spécialist en planification successorale, Services Financiers RBC Gestion de patrimoine inc.
« Pour être en mesure d’apporter son aide, il faut avoir des connaissances, poser les bonnes questions et être à l’écoute. » Patrick, qui travaille avec les clients depuis plus de 20 ans, est d’avis qu’il faut de l’empathie pour comprendre les gens. « Savoir ce qui compte le plus et prodiguer des conseils judicieux avec détermination sont les raisons pour lesquelles mon travail me passionne. »
En collaborant avec notre équipe de professionnels, Patrick contribue à la mise en œuvre de plans de gestion de patrimoine en utilisant des solutions d’assurance qui préservent le patrimoine, augmentent la valeur des successions et transmettent le patrimoine à la génération suivante. Patrick est déterminé à réussir, mais c’est sa famille qui le rend heureux.
En compagnie de ses proches, il aime se promener, voyager et faire du vélo. Il parle couramment le polonais, l’allemand et l’anglais, et il reste actif dans le secteur d’activité en faisant du bénévolat auprès d’Advocis, l’association des conseillers et conseillères en placement du Canada. Il est également fier de préparer les meilleurs expressos que vous ne trouverez nulle part ailleurs, pas même au café du coin.
As a Business Owner Specialist, High Net Worth Planning Services, Darren, together with your primary RBC advisor, helps you explore succession, tax, retirement and estate planning issues you face as a business owner.
Prior to joining RBC, Darren was a tax partner with a national accounting and advisory firm where he focused on providing tax planning services to high net worth families and shareholders of privately held businesses. Darren guided clients through many of the complex personal and corporate issues faced by high net worth families and business owners by developing strategies for wealth preservation and tax minimization, the transfer of wealth to the next generation, and estate and succession planning.
Darren, together with your primary RBC advisor, helps you explore succession, tax, retirement and estate planning issues you face as a high net worth client. Darren specializes in tax and estate planning for business owners and high net worth families.
Darren is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant and has completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants In-Depth Tax Course,
the Corporate Reorganization Course and the Tax Planning for the Owner Manager Course. Darren is a TEP designated member of STEP (The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation. Darren is a graduate of the University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Abby Kassar, CPA, CA, CFP, TEP, FEA
Vice President, High Net Worth Planning Services, RBC Family Office Services
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.
As a Private Banker with RBC Wealth Management, Geoff Nielsen brings over 14 years of diversified Retail and Commercial banking experience. Leveraging his Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation, he provides comprehensive wealth management and financing strategies to professionals, high-net-worth business owners, executives and their families in Edmonton and Fort McMurray.
Drawing on his previous experience as a Healthcare Specialist in Commercial Banking, Geoff has a deep understanding of leveraging cash flow to build significant wealth strategies for Professional Corporations and related Holding Companies.
Geoff and his team provide customized and integrated solutions that include complex credit structures, tax and retirement planning and sophisticated packages for managing daily banking and cash management needs. Working with a selective client base ensures a high level of personalized service. He leverages his broad range of domestic and international experts who provide investments, commercial banking, and domestic and international trust services; enabling him to deliver comprehensive financial strategies.
Geoff is a proud father of two young daughters and can be found on the soccer field coaching their respective teams. He's considered a sports fanatic that appreciates the value of healthy competition and enjoys playing hockey and golf in his spare time.
Rahul brings more than eight years of financial services experience to his role as an Estate and Trust Advisor in Calgary, Alberta. His depth of experience, coupled with his professionalism and dedication to client service, serves Rahul well in dealing with the complexities of estate settlement. Rahul works with individuals, families and businesses who wish to protect their assets and transfer their wealth for generations. Clients appreciate his sensitivity to the often difficult decisions and sometimes overwhelming responsibilities that can go hand in hand with the role of executor. A graduate of the University of Calgary specializing in Psychology, Rahul has continued to deepen his knowledge and expertise with key industry designations, such as the Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation, and is currently pursuing the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation. Rahul can discuss estate settlement and administration services, trustee services, trust structures, and other specialized services offered through RBC Royal Trust. He will provide a tailored solution to help individuals carry out their many executor duties, expedite the settlement process, and maximize the estate’s value through knowledgeable handling of estate and tax issues.
As a Premier Banking Advisor for the Edmonton area, Monica works as a single point of contact, providing banking and credit solutions for select clients of Wealth Management Canada and their families. Partnering with Investment Advisors and Counsellors across the region, she provides personalized service and tailored advice to help clients save time and effectively manage their day to day banking needs.
With 12 years' experience in financial services, with RBC, Monica is respected by her clients, her peers and the industry, and has received top performer recognition.
Born and raised in Mexico, Monica holds a Degree in Law from the University of Autonomous, Puebla, Mexico. Monica is committed to giving back to the community and is highly active volunteering with the Junior Achievement Organization, teaching financial basics to junior and high school students. Monica also taught financial literacy at McEwan University. As a leading community role model, Monica story was featured in the book, "Untold Stories on Immigrant Women in Canada" by the GROW (Gradual Rising for Women).
Monica currently resides in Edmonton with her husband and three children. When she is not hard at work with her clients, you will find her spending time exercising, playing basketball and enjoying folkloric dance. Monica is fluent in Spanish and English.