Draft:Eric Saumure
{{AFC submission|||u=EricYesYes|ns=118|ts=20250503214713}}
{{AFC comment|1=LinkedIn should generally be avoided. If you cannot find references beyond what the individual has written themselves, that may lean towards showing they fail to pass WP:GNG. HickoryOughtShirt?4 (talk) 21:50, 3 May 2025 (UTC)}}
{{AFC comment|1=In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. EricYesYes (talk) 21:43, 3 May 2025 (UTC)}}
----
{{Short description|Canadian CPA and entrepreneur}}
{{Draft topics|biography|north-america|business-and-economics|stem}}
{{AfC topic|blp}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Eric Saumure
| image = Eric_Saumure.jpg
| alt = Portrait of Eric Saumure
| caption = Eric Saumure in 2025
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|4|28}}
| birth_place = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| nationality = Canadian
| occupation = Chartered Professional Accountant; entrepreneur
| alma_mater = Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology; University of Ottawa{{cite web
| last = Algonquin College
| date = 3 May 2024
| title = Six Algonquin College alumni named to 40 Under 40 List
| url = https://www.algonquincollege.com/news/2024/05/03/six-algonquin-college-alumni-named-to-40-under-40-list/
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
| years_active = 2010–present
| known_for = Co‑founder and principal of Zenbooks; tax‑policy advocacy; board member of Cystic Fibrosis Canada
| awards = Ottawa Business Journal Forty Under 40 (2024){{cite news
| title = Here are the Forty Under 40 recipients for 2024
| newspaper = Ottawa Business Journal
| date = 1 May 2024
| url = https://obj.ca/here-are-the-forty-under-40-recipients-for-2024/
| access-date = 3 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250503202830/https://obj.ca/here-are-the-forty-under-40-recipients-for-2024/
| archive-date = 3 May 2025
}}
}}
Eric Saumure (born 28 April 1989) is a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA){{cite web
| title = Saumure, Eric – Member Directory
| website = CPA Ontario
| url = https://www.cpaontario.ca/protecting-the-public/directories/member/saumure-57datz
| access-date = 4 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250503202751/https://www.cpaontario.ca/protecting-the-public/directories/member/saumure-57datz
| archive-date = 3 May 2025
}} and entrepreneur based in Ottawa. He is the co-founder and principal of Zenbooks, a cloud-based accounting firm included in Ottawa Business Journal’s list of fastest-growing companies and listed in The Globe and Mail’s Top Growing Companies of 2024.{{cite news
| last = Wilson‑Smith
| first = Chris
| title = Ranking Canada's Top Growing Companies of 2024
| newspaper = The Globe and Mail
| date = 27 September 2024
| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/rob-magazine/top-growing-companies/article-ranking-canadas-top-growing-companies-of-2024/
| access-date = 4 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250503202942/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/rob-magazine/top-growing-companies/article-ranking-canadas-top-growing-companies-of-2024/
| archive-date= 3 May 2025
}} In 2023, Saumure launched a national petition calling on the Canada Revenue Agency to extend the personal tax filing deadline during a federal strike, attracting over 30,000 signatures and receiving national media coverage in both English and French-language outlets.{{cite news
| title = Petition calls for tax-deadline extension amid federal-worker strike
| website = CBC News
| date = 25 April 2023
| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tax-deadline-extension-demanded-1.6820752
| access-date = 4 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240217181124/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tax-deadline-extension-demanded-1.6820752
| archive-date = 17 February 2024
}} He was named to Ottawa’s Forty Under 40 list in 2024, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
Early life and education
Saumure attended Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, earning a diploma in Accounting and Business Administration in 2010.{{cite web
| last = Algonquin College
| date = 3 May 2024
| title = Six Algonquin College alumni named to 40 Under 40 List
| url = https://www.algonquincollege.com/news/2024/05/03/six-algonquin-college-alumni-named-to-40-under-40-list/
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
Career
He was a Senior Consultant at KPMG Canada from October 2012 to February 2016.{{cite news
| title = Congratulations to the newly designated CPAs
| newspaper = Ottawa Business Journal
| date = 23 November 2015
| url = https://issuu.com/greatrivermedia/docs/ottawa_business_journal_20151123/7
| access-date = 4 May 2025
| title = Eric Saumure – Resource articles on Karbon
| website = Karbon
| url = https://karbonhq.com/resources/eric-saumure/
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}} In May 2015, Saumure co‑founded Zenbooks, a online‑based accounting and advisory firm that offers services to mall and Medium size businesses.{{cite video
| title = Eric Saumure: Ottawa CPA On Cloud Accounting and Tax Advocacy
| date = 15 March 2024
| publisher = RogersTV
| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNBu8bIjKk
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}} In 2024, Zenbooks was ranked #244 on The Globe and Mail's Top Growing Companies list, based on 165% three-year revenue growth.
He served as Chief Financial Officer for Mark Sutcliffe’s Ottawa mayoral campaign in 2022.{{cite web
| publisher = Ottawa Business Journal
| date = 17 June 2024
| title = Eric Saumure profile – OBJ
| url = https://obj.ca/eric-saumure/
| access-date = 4 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250503202830/https://obj.ca/eric-saumure/
| archive-date = 3 May 2025
| title = Financial Statement – Mark Sutcliffe (2022 Mayoral Campaign)
| website = City of Ottawa
| date = 30 March 2023
| url = https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/default/files/Financial_Statement_Original_Mayor_Mark_Sutcliffe_2022.pdf
| access-date = 4 May 2025
| quote = Prepared and filed by: Eric Saumure, Chief Financial Officer. Signature on first page.
}} In June 2024, Saumure was appointed to the Board of Directors of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.{{cite web
| url = https://obj.ca/eric-saumure/
| title = Eric Saumure profile – OBJ
| date = 17 June 2024
| publisher = Ottawa Business Journal
| access-date = 3 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250503202830/https://obj.ca/eric-saumure/
| archive-date = 3 May 2025
| title = Board of Directors
| website = Cystic Fibrosis Canada
| url = https://cysticfibrosis.ca/teams/board-of-directors
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250503202836/https://cysticfibrosis.ca/teams/board-of-directors
| archive-date = 3 May 2025
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
Advocacy
On 25 April 2023, Saumure launched a petition on Change.org calling on the Canada Revenue Agency to extend the personal tax‑filing deadline to 15 June amid a PSAC strike; it had over 25,000 signatures by early afternoon.{{cite news
| last = Szklarski
| first = Cassandra
| title = Petition calls for tax deadline extension amid federal worker strike
| newspaper = The Canadian Press
| date = 25 April 2023
| url = https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/petition-calls-for-tax-deadline-extension-amid-federal-worker-strike/article_9b722280-b30a-54e2-b722-260d82b01af2.html
| access-date = 3 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250527041410/https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/petition-calls-for-tax-deadline-extension-amid-federal-worker-strike/article_9b722280-b30a-54e2-b722-260d82b01af2.html
| archive-date = 27 May 2025
}} He said: “I kind of see this as if you’re writing an exam in school but the professor just doesn’t let you ask questions…And if you make a mistake, there’s a financial penalty. And so that’s just not fair for Canadians.”
The petition received coverage in CBC News,{{cite web
| title = Petition calls for tax‑deadline extension amid federal‑worker strike
| website = CBC News
| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tax-deadline-extension-demanded-1.6820752
| access-date = 3 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240217181124/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tax-deadline-extension-demanded-1.6820752
| archive-date = 17 February 2024
}} CTV News,{{cite news
| title = Petition calls for tax‑deadline extension amid federal‑worker strike
| newspaper = CTV News
| date = 25 April 2023
| url = https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/petition-calls-for-tax-deadline-extension-amid-federal-worker-strike-1.6370856
| access-date = 3 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250118124426/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/petition-calls-for-tax-deadline-extension-amid-federal-worker-strike-1.6370856
| archive-date = 18 January 2025
}} and CP24,{{cite news
| title = Petition calls for tax‑deadline extension amid federal‑worker strike
| newspaper = CP24
| date = 25 April 2023
| url = https://www.cp24.com/mobile/news/petition-calls-for-tax-deadline-extension-amid-federal-worker-strike-1.6370934
| access-date = 3 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250118124426/https://www.cp24.com/mobile/news/petition-calls-for-tax-deadline-extension-amid-federal-worker-strike-1.6370934
| archive-date = 18 January 2025
}} Radio-Canada,{{cite news
| title = Une pétition demande un délai pour produire les rapports d'impôt
| newspaper = Radio-Canada
| date = 26 April 2023
| url = https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1975333/rapports-impots-petition-agence-canada
| access-date = 4 May 2025
| language = fr
}} La Voix de l'Est,{{cite news
| title = Des Canadiens réclament un délai pour produire leurs impôts en raison de la grève
| newspaper = La Voix de l’Est
| date = 25 April 2023
| url = https://www.lavoixdelest.ca/affaires/2023/04/25/des-canadiens-reclament-un-delai-pour-produire-leurs-impots-en-raison-de-la-greve-BEGJ4WMRPFETROKRC6DNNR4II4/
| access-date = 4 May 2025
| language = fr
}} and L'Acadie Nouvelle.{{cite news
| title = Un délai pour produire ses impôts en raison de la grève?
| newspaper = L’Acadie Nouvelle
| date = 26 April 2023
| url = https://www.acadienouvelle.com/actualites/2023/04/26/un-delai-pour-produire-ses-impots-en-raison-de-la-greve/
| access-date = 4 May 2025
| language = fr
}}
Media coverage
The petition launched by Saumure on 25 April 2023 received over 30,000 signatures in under a week and was covered by national news outlets. Major outlets such as The Canadian Press and CBC News{{cite news
| date = 25 April 2023
| title = Petition calls for tax‑deadline extension amid federal‑worker strike
| newspaper = CBC News
| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tax-deadline-extension-demanded-1.6820752
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250118124426/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tax-deadline-extension-demanded-1.6820752
| archive-date = 18 January 2025
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}, along with a CBC video report{{cite web
| date = 25 April 2023
| title = This accountant is calling on the CRA to extend the tax filing deadline
| website = CBC.ca
| url = https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.6820916
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250503201153/https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.6820916
| archive-date = 3 May 2025
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}, CTV News (“call‑centre wait” story{{cite news
| date = 25 April 2023
| title = CRA won’t extend tax deadline as strike hits call centres, Canadians wait hours for help
| newspaper = CTV News
| url = https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/cra-wont-extend-tax-deadline-as-strike-hits-call-centres-canadians-wait-hours-for-help/
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250503200817/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/cra-wont-extend-tax-deadline-as-strike-hits-call-centres-canadians-wait-hours-for-help/
| archive-date = 3 May 2025
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}} and petition overview{{cite news
| date = 25 April 2023
| title = Petition calls for tax deadline extension amid federal worker strike
| newspaper = CTV News
| url = https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/petition-calls-for-tax-deadline-extension-amid-federal-worker-strike-1.6370856
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240721095908/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/petition-calls-for-tax-deadline-extension-amid-federal-worker-strike-1.6370856
| archive-date = 21 July 2024
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}), CP24{{cite news
| date = 25 April 2023
| title = Petition calls for tax‑deadline extension amid federal‑worker strike
| newspaper = CP24
| url = https://www.cp24.com/mobile/news/petition-calls-for-tax-deadline-extension-amid-federal-worker-strike-1.6370934
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240910131331/https://www.cp24.com/mobile/news/petition-calls-for-tax-deadline-extension-amid-federal-worker-strike-1.6370934
| archive-date = 10 September 2024
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}, and Radio‑Canada{{cite news
| language = fr
| date = 26 April 2023
| title = Une pétition demande un délai pour produire les rapports d'impôt
| newspaper = Radio‑Canada
| url = https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1975333/rapports-impots-petition-agence-canada
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250317090615/https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1975333/rapports-impots-petition-agence-canada
| archive-date = 17 March 2025
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}} all ran stories naming him as the campaign’s organizer.
Trade titles and regional outlets also weighed in:
- {{cite web
| title = Friday Footnotes: PWC is tops in M&A; what you can do with a Macc; EY consolidates in LatAm
| website = Going Concern
| date = 28 April 2023
| url = https://www.goingconcern.com/friday-footnotes-pwc-is-tops-in-m-what-you-can-do-with-a-macc-ey-consolidates-in-latam-4-28-23/
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240302095317/https://www.goingconcern.com/friday-footnotes-pwc-is-tops-in-m-what-you-can-do-with-a-macc-ey-consolidates-in-latam-4-28-23/
| archive-date = 2 March 2024
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
- {{cite news
| title = No change in May 1 tax deadline despite labour dispute
| newspaper = Times Colonist
| date = 25 April 2023
| url = https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/no-change-in-may-1-tax-deadline-despite-labour-dispute-6908759
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241114212706/https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/no-change-in-may-1-tax-deadline-despite-labour-dispute-6908759
| archive-date = 14 November 2024
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
- {{cite news
| title = Tax deadline extension petition gains traction
| newspaper = Daily Hive
| date = 26 April 2023
| url = https://dailyhive.com/canada/tax-deadline-extend-petition
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240714222238/https://dailyhive.com/canada/tax-deadline-extend-petition
| archive-date = 14 July 2024
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
- {{cite news
| title = Thousands call on CRA to extend tax deadline
| newspaper = BlogTO
| date = 25 April 2023
| url = https://www.blogto.com/city/2023/04/thousands-call-cra-tax-deadline-extension/
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240807083355/https://www.blogto.com/city/2023/04/thousands-call-cra-tax-deadline-extension/
| archive-date = 7 August 2024
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
- {{cite news
| title = Un délai pour produire ses impôts en raison de la grève ?
| newspaper = L’Acadie Nouvelle
| language = fr
| date = 26 April 2023
| url = https://www.acadienouvelle.com/actualites/2023/04/26/un-delai-pour-produire-ses-impots-en-raison-de-la-greve/
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240121011250/https://www.acadienouvelle.com/actualites/2023/04/26/un-delai-pour-produire-ses-impots-en-raison-de-la-greve/
| archive-date = 21 January 2024
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
- {{cite news
| title = Des Canadiens réclament un délai pour produire leurs impôts en raison de la grève
| newspaper = La Voix de l’Est
| language = fr
| date = 25 April 2023
| url = https://www.lavoixdelest.ca/affaires/2023/04/25/des-canadiens-reclament-un-delai-pour-produire-leurs-impots-en-raison-de-la-greve-BEGJ4WMRPFETROKRC6DNNR4II4/
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230925065804/https://www.lavoixdelest.ca/affaires/2023/04/25/des-canadiens-reclament-un-delai-pour-produire-leurs-impots-en-raison-de-la-greve-BEGJ4WMRPFETROKRC6DNNR4II4/
| archive-date = 25 September 2023
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
- {{cite news
| title = No change in May 1 tax deadline despite labour dispute
| newspaper = Business in Vancouver
| date = 25 April 2023
| url = https://www.biv.com/news/economy-law-politics/no-change-may-1-tax-deadline-despite-labour-dispute-8271405
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240221182027/https://www.biv.com/news/economy-law-politics/no-change-may-1-tax-deadline-despite-labour-dispute-8271405
| archive-date = 21 February 2024
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
- {{cite web
| title = Sunday news roundup 23-04-30
| website = Canadian Accountant
| date = 30 April 2023
| url = https://canadian-accountant.com/content/profession/sunday-news-roundup-23-04-30
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250211080227/https://canadian-accountant.com/content/profession/sunday-news-roundup-23-04-30
| archive-date = 11 February 2025
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
- {{cite news
| title = Thousands appeal to CRA to extend tax deadline
| newspaper = Toronto Sun
| date = 25 April 2023
| url = https://torontosun.com/news/national/thousands-appeal-to-cra-to-extend-tax-deadline
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250503194850/https://torontosun.com/news/national/thousands-appeal-to-cra-to-extend-tax-deadline
| archive-date = 3 May 2025
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
- {{cite news
| title = Petition calls for extension of tax-filing deadline amid CRA strike
| newspaper = Wealth Professional
| date = 28 April 2023
| url = https://www.wealthprofessional.ca/news/industry-news/petition-calls-for-extension-of-tax-filing-deadline-amid-cra-strike/375445
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241206144449/https://www.wealthprofessional.ca/news/industry-news/petition-calls-for-extension-of-tax-filing-deadline-amid-cra-strike/375445
| archive-date = 6 December 2024
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
- {{cite news
| title = Petition calls for tax-deadline extension amid federal-worker strike
| newspaper = Investment Executive
| date = 27 April 2023
| url = https://www.investmentexecutive.com/news/from-the-regulators/petition-calls-for-tax-deadline-extension-amid-federal-worker-strike/
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250114131840/https://www.investmentexecutive.com/news/from-the-regulators/petition-calls-for-tax-deadline-extension-amid-federal-worker-strike/
| archive-date = 14 January 2025
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
- {{cite news
| title = Accountant petitions CRA to extend tax deadline
| newspaper = Yahoo Sports Canada
| date = 25 April 2023
| url = https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/accountant-petitions-cra-extend-tax-080000949.html
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240415124925/https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/accountant-petitions-cra-extend-tax-080000949.html
| archive-date = 15 April 2024
| access-date = 4 May 2025
}}
Television appearances
- In March 2024, during a segment on RogersTV's Ottawa Business Matters, Sam Laprade interviewed Saumure about cloud accounting and tax policy. Laprade commented on his professional work, stating, 'At what you do. You've got a wonderful reputation.'{{cite video
| title = Eric Saumure: Ottawa CPA On Cloud Accounting and Tax Advocacy
| date = 15 March 2024
| publisher = RogersTV
| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNBu8bIjKk
| access-date = 4 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250529135529/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNBu8bIjKk
| archive-date = 29 May 2025
}} Quote at timestamp: 39:46
Major works and publications
Saumure contributes to Karbon’s resource centre on topics like client‑relationship strategies.{{cite web
| url = https://karbonhq.com/resources/eric-saumure/
| title = Eric Saumure – Resource articles on Karbon
| publisher = Karbon
| access-date = 3 May 2025
}} Saumure authored a chapter on accounting and tax strategies in the self‑help and business book
How to Plan Your Way to Success: Personal | Financial | Real Estate | Business | Health and Wellness.{{cite book
| last1 = Fenol
| first1 = E.
| last2 = Zwarych
| first2 = Prea
| title = How to Plan Your Way to Success: Personal {{!}} Financial {{!}} Real Estate {{!}} Business {{!}} Health and Wellness
| publisher = iUniverse
| date = 15 March 2017
| isbn = 9781532017865
| pages = PT35
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Xih3DgAAQBAJ&pg=PT35
| access-date= 4 May 2025
}} Since August 2023, he hosts the Small Business | Big Insights podcast, which Feedspot ranked fifth on its list of Canadian small business and SME podcasts.{{cite web
| url = https://podcast.feedspot.com/canadian_small_business_podcasts/
| title = 15 Best Canadian Small Business and SME Podcasts
| website = Feedspot
| access-date = 22 May 2025
}}
Awards and honours
- Ottawa Business Journal Top 20 Fastest Growing Companies in Ottawa (2024){{cite news
| title = It's time to meet the Top 20 Fastest Growing Companies in Ottawa for 2024
| newspaper = Ottawa Business Journal
| date = 27 September 2024
| url = https://obj.ca/meet-top-20-fastest-growing-companies-in-ottawa-for-2024/
| access-date = 3 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250503202949/https://obj.ca/meet-top-20-fastest-growing-companies-in-ottawa-for-2024/
| archive-date = 3 May 2025
}}
Philanthropy
In 2024, Saumure established the Ronald Saumure Award of Excellence, an endowed scholarship at Algonquin College in memory of his father, Ronald Saumure, a graduate of the college's Architectural Technology program. The award supports students who exemplify Ronald's values of ingenuity, community service, and positivity.{{cite web |title=The Ronald Saumure Award of Excellence |url=https://www.algonquincollege.com/advancement/ronald-saumure-award-of-excellence/ |website=Algonquin College |access-date=26 May 2025}}
Personal life
Saumure is married to Chloe, who has cystic fibrosis; this connection informed his service on the Board of Directors of Cystic Fibrosis Canada since April 2024.{{cite web
| url = https://obj.ca/eric-saumure/
| title = Eric Saumure profile – OBJ
| date = 17 June 2024
| publisher = Ottawa Business Journal
| access-date = 3 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250503202830/https://obj.ca/eric-saumure/
| archive-date = 3 May 2025
}}
External links
- [https://zenbooks.ca/ Official Business Website]
- [https://ericsaumure.com/ Official Personal Website]
- {{Commons category-inline|Eric Saumure}}
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saumure, Eric}}
{{Draft categories|
Category:Canadian businesspeople
Category:Chief financial officers
Category:Canadian company founders