How Porter Hetu originated
Gary Porter and Jacques Hétu founded the national accounting organization in 1988. They wanted at its foundation range of full-time, experienced practitioners whose livelihood depended on public accounting. It was to be strongly rooted in Canada’s largest cities and based on high quality standards of practice.
They began by offering members annual conferences and common file templates. Gradually they expanded services …
“All of us were interested in high standards. All of us enjoyed the company of others with these ideas and knew the value of sharing experiences and concerns. The value was great – but it was conceptual more than material. It was only available to those who knew and understood how such a sharing of wisdom and experience among veterans helps us serve our clients better. It was intellectually stimulating, professionally rewarding and personally satisfying.”
For the early members, these intangible, but profound and lasting benefits were sufficient to sustain a new and materially weak Porter Hétu through the worst recession since the 1930s. Even after the recession was over, the mindset lingered and it wasn't until 1996 that people began to lift their heads and look outside the trenches.
“Since around 1997 we have exploded into an organization of over 50 offices with many more material resources, four times the budget and a new structure to reflect that growth. But the strong principles of the initial group helped an infant organization weather a great economic storm. Those principles will carry through storms in the future. We have continued to recruit practitioners who are committed to high standards and ethics and who understand that those who benefit the most from Porter Hétu International are those who contribute the most in time, energy, experience and knowledge. Porter Hétu International is brimming with intelligence, experience, ethical professionalism and business acumen.”
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Meet the founders of Porter Hétu International
Jacques Hétu
Born on March 29, 1936 before World War II in Waterloo, Québec, Jacques grew up in a small community of the Eastern Townships. The population of about 5,000 people consisted of approximately 55% francophones and 45% anglophones.
“I was quite fortunate to live in an open minded society where everybody understood each other, notwithstanding the language barrier. It felt like a big family.”
Graduating from the Granby Seminary, Jacques registered at L’École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Montréal and proceeded to LaSalle University in Chicago for a post-graduate course. Jacques’ interest in accounting started in 1959 while working for the federal government on a special government program. During those years, the government would audit its different departments in Canada and abroad.
”In 1963, at age 27, I decided that I was experienced enough to start my own public practice, which I operated initially as a proprietor.”
Jacques was first elected to the board of CGA Québec in 1985 and became President in 1989. He served on numerous provincial and national committees and in 1991, was elected National Treasurer of CGA Canada. In 1992, Jacques was elected President of APFF (Association de Planification Fiscale et Financière), which is the French counterpart of the Tax Foundation.
In 1987 Jacques Hétu met Gary Porter and began discussing the establishment of a national organization.
“Today, as a founder and retired member of Porter Hétu International, I am proud to see the high quality of its members. I realize that this group is like good wine - it does not grow older, it grows better.”
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Gary Porter
Born on February 12, 1945, Gary grew up in the historic Prescott/Brockville area – the beautiful Thousands Island in the St Lawrence River valley.
“The area was settled after the American Revolution by United Empire Loyalists who arrived in the 1790’s as desperate refugees. There is a Presbyterian cemetery where my direct ancestors have been buried since 1837, the year of the Rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada.”
Graduating from Grade 13, at age 17, Gary applied to Royal Military College in Kingston, but failed the eye examination – so he financed his entry to Carleton University with bursaries and scholarships.
“Like many in the sixties, I was the first person in my family to attend university. I studied history and English literature and had no initial thought of business or accounting.”
Then Gary became engulfed in the radical thought and action of the sixties.
“Soon I was a member of socialist organizations and then a full-time organizer. I helped to organize demonstrations, boycotts, petitions and debates on black rights, women’s rights, and an end to the war in Vietnam. Looking back, I believe these radical young people have had a massive effect on society’s values and laws.”
In 1972, Gary landed a regular job working in the Treasury Department of Metro Toronto and noticed the accountants were making a lot more than he was. In 1974, he signed up in the CGA program and went on to graduate in 1980.
“In 1984, I was asked by CGA Ontario to run for election to the Ontario Board of Governors. In 1986 I was elected to the Ontario CGA Executive and in 1992 became President of CGA Ontario. In 1994, I became a Vice-President of CGA Canada.”
When Gary met Jacques Hétu in 1987, they discovered they both very much wanted to build a Canada-wide accounting organization.
“As a founder, 15 years later and no longer a member of the leadership body, I am delighted with Porter Hétu International and somewhat humbled by the high quality of the people who comprise the organization.”