Melanie E. Russell
B. Comm., CPA, CA, CBV, CIM, CFE, CFF, ABV
Melanie is the founder of Kalex Valuations Inc. and began professional practice in 1985, which includes several years of industry experience. Throughout her professional career she has been involved in many assignments for a variety of public and private companies of various sizes and across many industries, obtaining her training at two of the largest international accounting firms in the industry. Melanie placed second in Canada on the CICBV membership examination. She founded Kalex Valuations Inc. in 1996.
Ms. Russell has been active in teaching business valuations and related topics since 1987 at various universities and professional organizations, and runs the premiere preparatory course for CBV students in Canada taking their national Membership Qualification Examination. She has written various articles, taught professional courses and had many public speaking engagements on matters relating to business valuations and related topics.
Ms. Russell has qualified as an expert witness in the Ontario Court of Justice, the Ontario Superior Court, the Federal Court of Canada, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (“CPAO”, formerly Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario)’s Discipline Committee (which determines whether members should be charged with offences as brought by the CPAO’s Professional Conduct Committee) and the Investment Dealers’ Association. She has qualified as an expert in the areas of business/asset valuation, quantification of damages, income determination and forensic accounting. She has also acted as an accounting expert in arbitration, mediation, mediation/arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings (e.g., collaborative practice), and negotiated a number of buy/sell transactions.
Professional Designations
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Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA)
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Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) – second highest mark in Canada
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Certified Investment Manager (CIM)
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Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
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Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF)
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Accredited in Business Valuations (ABV)
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Certificate Program in Dispute Resolution
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Collaborative Family Practice
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International Valuation Standards (IVS)
Memberships
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CPA Canada
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CPA Ontario
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Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators
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National Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
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Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario
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Estate Planning Council of Toronto
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ESOP Canada
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Turnaround Management Association of Canada
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Ontario Expropriation Association
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Collaborative Practice Toronto
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York Collaborative Practice
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International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
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M&A Club Toronto
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Association for Corporate Growth
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American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
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McMichael Canadian Art Foundation Board
Education
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Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) – University of Manitoba
Other
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President of GTA Accountants/Finance Network
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Frequent presenter, lecturer and author on various topics: Valuations, income analysis, financial reporting, finance, accounting, auditing/assurance, personal financial planning for various organizations.
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Volunteer fitness instructor in Boxfit, Arriba, muscleworks, etc
Praise
"On behalf of CPA Ontario’s student recruitment team I’d like to thank you again for representing the CPA designation as the keynote speaker at Jr. Achievement of Central Ontario’s ‘Student Interview Night’.
Your keynote address was received very well by students / JA staff and received quite a bit of praise from students who approached the CPA Ontario booth.
I hope you also enjoyed the experience judging a company program award and the event in general. We really appreciate the time our members take out of their busy schedules to help our team have meaningful interactions with students who may be interested in pursuing a CPA designation."
- Jordan Cukier
Student Recruiter