Congratulations to GGFL partner Chad Saikaley on being named one of Ottawa’s 2016 Forty Under 40 presented by the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and the Ottawa Business Journal. Forty Under 40 is one the most sought-after and distinguished business awards in the National Capital Region.
At just 35 years old, Chad has made a career of overachieving. In January 2015, he was named the second youngest partner in the 70-year history of GGFL, and he did it within two years of starting at the firm. That kind of success is unprecedented, and has set a new gold standard at GGFL.
Chad started working at 12 years old for his father’s locksmith company. Chad worked hard to earn his colleagues’ respect, because he knew that, as the boss’s son, he would be treated differently. At 19, his father encouraged Chad to leave the business to find his passion. That passion was accounting.
Chad’s greatest strength is the exceptional service he provides to his clients. He takes a genuine interest in his clients’ personal lives and businesses, maintaining regular contact to gain a deep understanding of their business operations and needs. This allows him to keep their business interests in mind and provide his and the firm’s expertise proactively.
His wife and two little girls always come first. If you ask him what his greatest accomplishment is, the answer will always be his family. He is a dad before an accountant, and a husband before a tax partner.