Merger Announcement – Horne LLP and Deloitte

It is my pleasure to announce that Horne LLP and Deloitte have reached an agreement to join forces. The Partners and Team Members of Horne LLP, numbering 35 strong, will merge with Deloitte in Burlington as part of their Southwestern Ontario practice.  The effective date of the merger is June 1, 2010

The union of our two firms will help us to achieve our common goals: to be the trusted business advisors of choice to small and mid-market clients across the region and into the Hamilton-Burlington-GTA corridor. Drawing on the strengths of both firms, we are confident that the new practice will continue to provide you with the best professional services in Canada.

In the months leading to this announcement, we have discussed our shared values and common interests and we believe that this merger will allow us to continue to empower our clients to succeed at the highest possible levels.  Together, we will be larger and stronger, and we are excited about our future.

As a result of our discussions, we know Deloitte shares our commitment to client service and has a similar culture to ours.  We both focus on developing top talent in our organizations and we have a passion for delivering outstanding services.

Colleagues in both firms have been working ‘behind the scenes’ to ensure that the upcoming transition is seamless. The result of their efforts is that every single member of the combined team will be able to focus on doing what they do best — providing excellent service to our clients.

We are also very confident that every Horne client will see the benefits of this merger as the future the value for existing Horne clients is even greater — you will have access to a full range of expanded services and both a national and global network of Deloitte expertise. That’s truly something to celebrate!

Francis Mackan

Relay Wrap Up

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to send out an e-mail to thank everyone who donated to Horne’s three relay for Life Teams.   Year after year you continue to amaze us with your generosity and commitment to the event.

We had a great time, the weather was perfect and everything went as planned.

Thank you again for all you do in the fight against cancer. To date the Burlington event has raised $435,000, which is the most they have ever raised in one year.

Horne is proud to have raised $34,000 this year and we have well exceeded $100,000 in fundraising in our four years of the Relay for Life.

I have attached a copy of the add that was published in the Burlington Post after the event.

Relay Wrap Up

Francis

Relay for Life – The Survivor’s Lap

Each year at the Relay for Life, the event is started by honouring those who have survived the disease and continue to fight.  The Survivors Lap is a moving experience and an important part of the night.  Each individual wearing a yellow shirt is a survivor of Cancer.

See the attached video and you will catch a glimpse of our own Shelagh Hockin who continues her brave fight!

The Survivor’s Walk

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Relay for Life – Ready to Start

Our fourth year of participating in the Relay For Life is about to begin. This year we raised over 35,000 dollars for Cancer research.

Thank you to all who pledged us

Francis

a tribute to ray fulmer

giving back to our community

home for the night

mexican fiesta theme

the horne team

setting up

Will you vote in the Muncipal Election in October?

Historically, voter turnout for Municiapl Elections in Burlington, as with many Ontario municipalities has been abysmal.   The problemwith this is that most people don;t realize that local and regional issues are what impact our wallets most directly. 

Think about all the services your municipal government is responsible for providing:

• Roads.
• Public transit.
• Child Care.
• Local policing.
• Water and sewers.
• Ambulances.
• Parks.
• Recreation. 

…and the list goes on.

By familiarizing yourself with the issues, and the candidates that are running for election, you learn who in your community best represents your position on the issues that mean the most to you and your family. 

In Burlington, you would see total property tax bills range from about $2,500 to in some cases, in excess of $10,000.  This is a significant portion of any family’s budget.  By participating in the voting process, you have a say in the direction the City will take in how it spends you hard-earned money.

Recently we saw an example of a senior, retired couple who’s combined income tax bill for 2009 was actually less that the property tax bill on their house!  It meant that they paid more into the coffers of the City of Burlington than they did to the Ontario and Federal governments combined!  This alone makes it an important reason to get informed and get out and vote this October.

Francis

Car Wash and BBQ for Relay For Life

This past Saturday, May 15th, the Team at Horne held a car wash and BBQ in support of our upcoming Relay for Life.  Approximately $750 was raised and all proceeds  will be donated to the 2010 Relay for Life.  All payments were voluntary so we thank those who attended for their generosity.

Don’t miss our next CAR WASH AND BBQ on Saturday May 29th, 2010 in the parking lot of our office.  We hope to see you there!

If you would like to make a pledge to Team Horne for the 2010 Relay then visit the relay 2010 page above, or click here.

Francis

Burlington Business Summit Releases Final Report

Back in October 2009, I participated in the Burlington Business Summit entitled “Staying at the Top”.  The Summit was held on the heels of Burlington being announced he 4th best city to live in Canada, and now the 3rd best city to live in Canada.

A final report has been prepared and was approved by Burlington City Council at its April 12 meeting.  A copy of the report can be found here and its appendix is also available here.  This information will be used by Team Burlington when setting their future work plan and the report and summary will be provided to City staff for consideration when updating the City Strategic Plan Future Focus 8 for 2011- 2014.

Francis

Burlington named third best place to live in Canada!

Burlington has so much going for it, that we continue to climb the ranks of the best places to live in Canada.   I’m proud to be a “Burlintonian”

Read the full report by clicking this link

Francis

Horne LLP Announces it Participation in the 2010 Relay for Life

Horne LLP is proud to be participating in the Burlington Cancer Societies “Relay for Life” to be held on Friday June 11, 2010 at Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Burlington.

Relay for Life is a celebration of survival and a tribute to the lives of loved ones who have been touched by cancer. Over twelve hours, the three Horne teams, comprising thirty people in total, will participate in a relay fundraising event. It is twelve hours of fun, friendship and fundraising to beat cancer and Communities from coast to coast are taking up the fight. For our team at Horne LLP Chartered Accountants, Cancer has touched all of us in a profound way and so we have chosen the Canadian Cancer Societies Relay for Life as our only major fundraising event this year.

For get more information, make a donation or for updates on the event,  clikc the Relay 2010 tab above.   This year Horne LLP will holding funraising events like Car Washes and Barbeques at our Brant Street location, and our entire team is donating weekly for Casual Fridays from now until the Relay takes place.  Watch the Relay 2010 page for update and more information.

I am making a personal request to ask that if you are able, to please sponsor me, and the entire Horne team in this important event.  If you would like to make a pledge of any amount, just visit the Relay 2010 page above, or click this link to help.  (If you do not feel comfortable pledging online, you can send a check, payable to the Canadian Cancer Society to my attention at our office.)

Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day, cancer will be eliminated. By pledging one of our teams, we are joining forces in the hope that one day we will find a cure and make Cancer history.

Be a part of our team and help make cancer history

Thanks so much

Francis

Shape Burlington Releases its Civic Engagement Report

From the Shape Burlington website comes this description of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Civic Engagement:

“To actively engage your voice, your viewpoints, and your concerns. To establish better ways to listen to you, and to ensure you are a part of discussions and decisions that affect you. Shape Burlington is about civic engagement. It’s about empowering citizens with information. It’s about making sure all levels of your local government are working with input from the people they represent: You.”

“You” means the citizenry of the City of Burlington and I encourage everyone to read the full report that was released on Monday.  To download a copy of the PDF, click here.

In my opinion people need to get educated and get engaged in municipal affairs.  Voter turnout in municipal elections in Burlington is at its best apathetic.  Or could it be that we are all so happy that we simply don’t need to bother turning out to vote or to get engaged?   I believe this report says otherwise and will shed some light on that debate.  You, the citizenry of Burlington, are clearly not happy so don’t let this report be wasted.

The next municipal election is October 25th.  That leaves everyone plenty of time to take action, educate yourself about the issues and get involved to make a difference. 

Francis