Plamondon Chartered Professional Accountant Corporation

Sarmad Jaffar

MBA, CFA

About

Sarmad is an accomplished transfer pricing expert with nearly two decades of experience across Canada, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. His broad expertise spans multiple areas of transfer pricing, with a particular focus on financial transactions and intellectual property. Sarmad has also participated in expert witness studies for the Canadian Tax Court and private arbitrations, further solidifying his reputation as a subject matter expert.

For close to three years, Sarmad also managed the transfer pricing policy of the Royal Bank of Canada’s Global Wealth Management division for some of its key jurisdictions, including North America, Europe and APAC (excluding Australia).

Having grown up in Pakistan under modest circumstances, Sarmad is deeply grateful to have received an education that enabled him to make significant contributions to society. He is passionate about providing educational opportunities for young people and has been actively involved in global initiatives such as the Aga Khan Foundation, focusing on improving access to education for young girls in developing countries. He has also served as an ESL teacher with the Calgary Public Library and volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross, reflecting his commitment to community service and development.

Professional Designations and Credentials

Master of Business Administration (“MBA“) from Cornell University
Master of Arts in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University
Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA“)

Industry Credentials

Sarmad has worked across a wide spectrum of industries, including but not limited to:

Financial Services | Pharmaceuticals & Biotech | Energy | Logistics | IT & Software | Aquaculture | Automotive

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Accounting and Bookkeeping Services

Our Accounting and Bookkeeping services are designed to help businesses maintain accurate and reliable financial records, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and supporting informed decision-making. Whether you are a small startup or a large established enterprise, having a solid accounting foundation is essential for financial stability and growth. We specialize in assisting businesses that operate under various accounting frameworks, including the Canadian Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises (“ASPE”), Canadian Accounting Standards for Not-for-Profit Organizations (“ASNPO”), and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Our team of experienced accountants and bookkeepers provides tailored solutions that cater to your unique business needs, allowing you to focus on strategic goals while we handle your day-to-day financial management.

We offer a wide range of accounting and bookkeeping services, including:

Bookkeeping Services: Providing comprehensive bookkeeping services to ensure your financial records are accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with the applicable accounting standards. Our services include the recording of daily transactions, bank reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable management, and maintenance of general ledgers. We ensure that all financial data is meticulously organized, giving you a clear view of your financial position at all times.
Cloud Accounting Solutions: Implementing and managing cloud-based accounting systems like QuickBooks Online, Xero, or other platforms that provide real-time access to your financial data. We help you transition to a cloud accounting solution that suits your business needs, enabling you to access your financial information anytime, anywhere, and collaborate more effectively with your team.
Assurance Engagements: In Canada, we offer a wide range of assurance-related services, which include:
- Audits
- Reviews
- Compilations (Notice to Readers or “NTRs”)
- Agreed-Upon Procedures
  - These engagements involve performing procedures agreed upon by the client and other specified parties. They include reports, opinions, declarations, or attestations that provide assurance on the correctness, fairness, completeness, or reasonableness of financial statements or other historical financial information.
- Special Purpose Reports
  - These reports are prepared for a specific purpose or user and may not necessarily adhere to general-purpose financial reporting frameworks.
Audit Preparation and Support: Assisting with the preparation for internal and external audits by ensuring that your financial records are accurate, complete, and well-organized. Our team works closely with your auditors to provide all necessary documentation and support, helping you achieve a smooth and successful audit process.
Financial Statement Preparation: Preparing detailed financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, that accurately reflect your business’s financial performance in accordance with ASPE, ASNPO, or IFRS. Our team ensures that your financial statements comply with the latest accounting standards and provide valuable insights for stakeholders, helping you make informed business decisions.
Accounts Payable and Receivable Management: Streamlining your accounts payable and receivable processes to improve cash flow management and reduce operational risks. Our team manages the end-to-end process, from invoice processing and vendor payments to customer billing and collections, ensuring that your cash flow remains healthy and predictable.
Internal Controls and Process Improvement: Evaluating your current accounting processes and internal controls to identify potential risks and areas for improvement. We provide recommendations to enhance efficiency, strengthen financial controls, and safeguard your assets, helping you build a more resilient and reliable accounting function.

Our team of dedicated accounting professionals is well-versed in ASPE, ASNPO, and IFRS, ensuring your financial statements are prepared in accordance with the appropriate standards. We are committed to delivering high-quality, reliable, and personalized services that meet the unique needs of your business. We understand that every business is different, and we tailor our services to provide the most effective solutions for your specific circumstances. Whether you need basic bookkeeping support or advanced financial analysis and reporting, we have the expertise to help you achieve your financial objectives.

Economics

Our Economic services are designed to equip your organization with the analytical tools and insights necessary to understand complex economic environments and make informed strategic decisions. Whether you are seeking to assess market potential, navigate regulatory changes, or analyze the economic impact of business decisions, our team of experienced economists offers customized solutions to meet your specific requirements. We work closely with you to understand your business context, evaluate economic trends, and develop data-driven strategies that support sustainable growth and competitive advantage.

We specialize in a broad range of economic services, including:

Market Analysis and Forecasting: Providing detailed market assessments and economic forecasts to help you understand current conditions and future trends. Our analysis supports strategic planning and market entry decisions by offering insights into demand dynamics, competitive landscapes, and potential growth opportunities.
Regulatory and Policy Analysis: Navigating the complexities of regulatory environments with thorough analysis and strategic guidance. We help you understand the economic implications of policy changes, assess compliance risks, and develop strategies to adapt to new regulatory requirements.
Economic Impact Assessments: Conducting comprehensive evaluations of the economic impact of business decisions, public policies, or projects. Our assessments provide a clear understanding of how various factors, such as new investments or regulatory changes, will affect economic outcomes, allowing for better strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Evaluating the financial viability and potential returns of projects and investments. Our cost-benefit analyses help you weigh the economic advantages and disadvantages of different strategic options, ensuring informed decision-making and resource allocation.

Economic Modeling and Scenario Planning: Developing sophisticated economic models and conducting scenario planning to evaluate potential risks and opportunities under different market conditions. Our modeling services support strategic decision-making by providing a structured approach to analyzing economic variables and their potential impact on your business in terms of potential outcomes, risks, and opportunities.
Litigation Support and Expert Testimony: Providing robust economic analysis and expert testimony for legal disputes, including antitrust cases, intellectual property disputes, and commercial litigation. We deliver credible, data-driven insights that support your position and help achieve favorable outcomes in complex legal environments.

Our team of seasoned economists helps you uncover hidden opportunities, mitigate risks, and drive value creation through a deep understanding of economic trends and market dynamics. With our support, you can confidently navigate economic uncertainties and capitalize on growth opportunities to enhance your business performance. Whether you require in-depth economic analysis, strategic planning support, or expert guidance on regulatory issues, we are here to provide the insights and expertise needed to achieve your strategic goals.

Transfer Pricing

Our Transfer Pricing Services are tailored to help your business navigate the complex landscape of international taxation and compliance. As companies expand globally and engage in transactions with related entities across borders, developing a robust transfer pricing strategy is vital to managing risks and avoiding costly penalties. Our team of experienced professionals—including economists, tax practitioners, and financial analysts—provides expertise and insights necessary to develop, document, and defend transfer pricing policies that align with both domestic and international requirements, ensuring that your intercompany transactions are compliant, efficient, and strategically advantageous.

We offer a wide range of transfer pricing services, including:

Transfer Pricing Planning and Strategy: Developing customized transfer pricing strategies that align with your overall business objectives and optimize your global tax position. We work with you to establish pricing policies that reflect the arm’s length standard and are defensible under local regulations, minimizing your exposure to tax risks and optimizing your global tax efficiency.
Compliance Documentation: Preparing comprehensive transfer pricing documentation to meet the regulatory requirements of multiple jurisdictions. Our documentation services include the preparation of Master Files, Local Files, and Country-by-Country Reports, ensuring that your intercompany transactions are well-documented, transparent, and compliant with OECD guidelines and local laws.
Transfer Pricing Benchmarking Studies: Conducting rigorous benchmarking studies to support your transfer pricing policies and ensure they reflect market conditions. We analyze comparable transactions, industry standards, and economic factors to provide data-driven benchmarks that validate your transfer pricing arrangements and withstand scrutiny from tax authorities.
Dispute Resolution and Controversy Management: Assisting in managing and resolving transfer pricing disputes with tax authorities through proactive strategies and expert negotiation. Our team is experienced in representing clients in audits, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution processes, including Mutual Agreement Procedures and Advance Pricing Agreements, to achieve favorable outcomes.
Global Transfer Pricing Policy Implementation: Helping you implement and maintain consistent transfer pricing policies across all jurisdictions in which you operate. Our services include policy design, risk assessment, and the development of internal controls to ensure compliance and minimize exposure to transfer pricing adjustments and penalties.
Transfer Pricing Risk Assessment and Diagnostics: Evaluating your current transfer pricing policies and practices to identify potential risks and areas for improvement. We provide a comprehensive risk assessment that considers the latest regulatory developments, industry practices, and your specific business needs to enhance compliance and reduce audit exposure.
Value Chain Analysis: Analyzing your company’s global value chain to understand the creation, management, and distribution of value across different entities. Our value chain analysis helps you align transfer pricing strategies with business operations, ensuring that profits are appropriately allocated to the jurisdictions where value is created.
Intangible Assets and IP Planning: Advising on the transfer pricing implications of transactions involving intangible assets and intellectual property. We help you develop strategies for pricing the transfer of IP rights and ensuring compliance with local regulations, considering the significant impact of intangibles on profitability and tax liabilities.

Our team of transfer pricing specialists is dedicated to helping you achieve compliance, manage risk, and optimize your global tax strategy. With our in-depth understanding of international tax laws and a proactive approach to transfer pricing, we provide the tools and expertise needed to navigate today’s complex regulatory environment and achieve your strategic goals.

Valuations

Valuations of Businesses, Tangible, Intangible, and Hard-to-Value Assets

Determining the true value of a business or asset requires more than just than simple arithmetic and financial ratios; each valuation requires a tailored approach that considers unique qualitative and quantitative factors like market share, competitive positioning, technological innovations, legal protections, and industry trends. Whether valuing tangible assets, intangible assets like goodwill, or complex intellectual property, our approach account for these intricacies to deliver an accurate assessment of their value.

Our valuation services address a wide range of needs, including mergers, acquisitions, IP licensing, estate planning, and litigation. We provide independent valuations for various asset classes to support businesses in transactions like sales and acquisitions, in assessing intellectual property for licensing, sale, or acquisition, and for stakeholders structuring shareholder agreements.

Our team of certified valuation experts goes beyond standard methodologies, incorporating a comprehensive approach that considers management quality, market share, competitive positioning, potential contracts, and industry trends. This holistic view ensures that our valuations are tailored to capture the unique value of each asset, offering precise and reliable valuations to meet strategic business objectives.

We offer a full suite of business valuation services, including:

Independent Valuation Reports: Delivering unbiased, objective valuations that meet the highest standards set by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators. These reports are ideal for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic transactions, providing you with credible, defensible valuations. These include:
- Calculation Valuation Reports: Offering a streamlined and cost-effective approach to estimating your business’s value based on limited procedures. These reports are suitable for preliminary assessments or internal management purposes.
- Estimate Valuation Reports: Providing more detailed valuation estimates that strike a balance between thorough analysis and efficiency. These reports are perfect for situations requiring more in-depth insight without the need for a full comprehensive report.
- Comprehensive Valuation Reports: Conducting a thorough and detailed analysis of all aspects of your business, from financial performance to market conditions and future growth potential. These reports are designed for high-stakes decision-making, such as in legal disputes or complex transactions.
Limited Critique Reports: Providing an independent assessment of valuations prepared by third parties. This service is particularly valuable in dispute resolution, negotiations, or when a second opinion is required to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Expert Reports and Testimony: Preparing expert valuation reports and providing testimony in litigation and dispute resolution settings. Our experts deliver credible, court-ready reports and are available to testify as expert witnesses, ensuring robust support for your case.
Fairness Opinions: Providing an independent assessment of the fairness of the financial terms of a proposed transaction. These opinions are essential for boards of directors and stakeholders to ensure that transactions are conducted fairly and transparently.
Investment Entity Review Reports: Conducting specialized valuations for investment entities, such as private equity funds, hedge funds, and venture capital firms. These reports assess the value of portfolio investments, providing insights into potential returns and risks.

With our expert guidance, you can make informed decisions based on accurate valuations that reflect the true value of your assets, positioning your business for strategic growth and success in today’s competitive market.

Tax Filing and Tax Advisory Services

Our Taxation services are designed to help businesses and individuals navigate the complexities of tax regulations and optimize their tax strategies for maximum benefit. With a deep understanding of both domestic and international tax laws, our team of experts offers tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. Whether you are operating in the United Arab Emirates or Canada, we provide comprehensive support to ensure compliance, minimize tax liabilities, and enhance your overall financial position.

Tax Services Offered in Canada

In Canada, our taxation services cover a wide range of taxes, including consumption taxes, corporate tax, and personal tax. We provide comprehensive support to help you manage your tax obligations and optimize your tax position:

Consumption Tax Services (GST, HST, QST, PST): Assisting businesses with the complexities of consumption taxes, including GST, HST, QST, and PST. Our services include tax registration, filing, and reporting, as well as advice on tax planning and optimization. We help businesses navigate the varying requirements across different provinces and ensure full compliance with Canadian tax laws.
Corporate Tax Services: Providing end-to-end corporate tax services to help businesses manage their tax responsibilities efficiently. We assist with corporate tax planning, compliance, and return preparation, ensuring that all tax obligations are met while minimizing tax liabilities. Our team also provides support for tax audits, dispute resolution, and navigating the complexities of Canadian corporate tax regulations.
Personal Tax Services: Offering comprehensive personal tax services to individuals, including tax planning, preparation, and filing. We work with you to develop strategies that minimize your tax burden and maximize your after-tax income, taking into account factors such as investments, retirement planning, and estate planning.
Tax Dispute Resolution and Audit Support: Representing clients in tax disputes and providing support during audits by tax authorities. Our team of tax professionals is experienced in dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) and other tax bodies, ensuring that your interests are protected and that any disputes are resolved efficiently.

Tax Services Offered in the United Arab Emirates

In the UAE, the tax landscape is evolving with the introduction of VAT and Corporate Tax, requiring businesses to stay up-to-date and compliant with new regulations. Our UAE tax services include:

VAT Compliance and Advisory: Assisting businesses with VAT registration, filing, and reporting to ensure full compliance with UAE VAT laws. We provide guidance on VAT planning and optimization, helping you manage cash flow effectively and avoid penalties.
Corporate Tax Planning and Compliance: Providing end-to-end corporate tax services to help businesses manage their tax responsibilities efficiently. We help businesses understand their Corporate Tax obligations and develop effective tax strategies. Our services include tax return preparation, filing, and support during tax audits.
Tax Risk Management: Evaluating potential tax risks and developing strategies to mitigate them. We provide a comprehensive analysis of your business’s tax position and offer practical solutions to manage and reduce tax-related risks, ensuring smooth operations and compliance with UAE tax regulations.

Why Choose Our Taxation Services?

Our team of experienced tax professionals is dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of the tax landscape with confidence. We provide comprehensive support tailored to your specific needs, ensuring compliance with local and international tax regulations while optimizing your tax strategy for maximum financial benefit.