Our Team

Salt Spring

Victoria

Frédéric Lizotte

CPA, CGA, Partner

Fred joined the firm in the summer of 1999 as a CGA student and received his designation in 2002. Prior to 1999 he worked as a tax preparer and bookkeeper in the Cowichan Valley. Fred focuses on small businesses, incorporated and unincorporated, and non-profit organizations. His goals are to simplify the complex paperwork and minimize your taxes.

Trina Lohr

BA, CPA, CGA, Partner

Trina joined the firm in 2015 and has worked in public practice for most of her career.  Born and raised in Victoria, she moved to Vancouver to work for a mid-sized firm and then relocated to Northern BC for 5 years where she focused mostly on assurance work (audits and reviews).  Trina enjoys all aspects of public practice whether it’s not-for-profit, corporate, personal or estate taxes.  Trina is detail oriented and strives to provide clients with relevant and meaningful suggestions to improve efficiencies. 

Stephen Severn

ba, cpa, partner

Stephen joined MLW in the spring of 2016. Born and raised on Salt Spring Island, Stephen loves the island lifestyle, playing sports, and getting to know new and old residents. He loves to travel and previously spent a year in Thailand with his family teaching English. After completing his BA in Intercultural studies, he then pursued the accounting designation, completing his CPA in 2019. He is looking forward to future professional development and growth within the company. Stephen enjoys learning and is encouraged by being able to help others with financial advice.

Carol Gevers

CPA, CGA, PARTNER

Carol joined us in the Spring of 2014 after receiving her CGA designation in 2010 and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba in 1991.  Her diverse financial background includes working in banking, property management, hospitality and construction.  Since moving to Victoria in 2006, Carol has continued volunteering as a CPA mentor and with non-profit organizations.  Carol’s areas of practice include personal, corporate, and estate taxes, as well as non-profit organizations.  She enjoys working with clients to support their accounting needs so they can focus on growing their businesses.

Paula Wheadon

B.Sc, CPA, CGA, PARTNER

Paula began working at the firm in 2001 as a CGA student and received her designation in 2005. Paula has been a resident of Salt Spring Island since 1983. Having been self-employed for 20 years before deciding to enter the accounting profession; she is comfortable handling all aspects of your personal and small business planning and tax needs.

Terry Will

Terry has been with MLW accounting since 1995.  Starting out in reception, she was given the opportunity to learn and grow with the firm, evolving into a valued bookkeeper and accounting technician.  Her many years of service also provides continuity for long time clients and a good knowledge base for new clients.  Terry also enjoys working behind the scenes to provide service and assistance to our clients and partners.

Casey Wheadon

Casey joined the team at MLW in the spring of 2009. An avid outdoorsman, hiker and a life-long resident of Salt Spring Island, Casey is happy to be back on the island after 4 years studying journalism and business at Kwantlen Polytech University on the mainland. He is currently an accounting student, working to attain his CPA designation. Casey enjoys working behind the scenes to support the partners and enhance the service provided to our clients.

Alec Lohr

BBA

Alec joined MLW in 2018. After completing a year of engineering studies at UVic, he transferred to Camosun College and completed his BBA accounting major prior to entering the CPA program. Alec brings with him 3 years of bookkeeping and tax return experience. Victoria born and raised, Alec’s hobbies include playing hockey, trampolining, and board games

Jane Lizotte

BA

Jane has worked behind the scenes at MLW Accounting since 2014 and has been full time since 2016. She is a Third Generation Islander, who worked and traveled abroad and moved back to the Island in 2002. Jane attended Camosun College and the University of Victoria and has a BA in Recreation Management. She has also worked in Australia, Alberta, and British Columbia. Jane currently volunteers with Ground Search and Rescue, coaching junior sports as well as Girl Guides of Canada and she always enjoys working with people

Chris Scriven-Higgins

CPA, CGA

Chris joined MLW in January 2021.  She received her CGA designation in 2000 and worked for more than 20 years in the hospitality industry before starting her own consulting and bookkeeping business in 2016.  Born and raised in Victoria, Chris enjoys spending time with her family, traveling the world, and boating in and around Vancouver Island.

Katie Severn

Katie Severn has worked with MLW on and off since 2018 but joined in an official capacity in 2020. Katie loves to travel and see the world and enjoys the opportunity to be active in playing sports on the island. Katie enjoys the slower pace of living on SSI allowing her to also be close to family. Katie completed a certificate in web/graphic design at Camosun college and is excited to use her technology and organizational skills to contribute to the Salt Spring MLW office environment.

Marueen Laguador

CIA

Maureen joined MLW in September 2023.  She was born and raised in the Philippines where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy as well as her designation as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA, Philippines).  She spent most of her career in the public practice and shared services industry, collaborating with member firms and cluster teams across the globe.  She became a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) in November 2020 and joined a local Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) before moving to Victoria.  She enjoys learning with the team while providing the highest standard of quality to the clients.  During her free time, she enjoys traveling and watching horror movies.

Jesse McLaughlin

Jesse joined MLW in the Autumn of 2022. Coming from an environmental science background, Jesse managed the Salt Spring Island Provincial Parks for 14 years before pivoting into the accounting world. He is now working towards attaining his CPA designation, taking online courses while working full time for MLW. Jesse enjoys the organization and puzzle-solving aspects of accounting work and supports the partners by preparing tidy, efficient engagements.

 

In his free time, Jesse enjoys all kinds of gaming and designs board games.

Jing Liu

bsc, pdd

Jing emigrated from China in 2003 to study at the University of Victoria.  She completed a degree in statistics while working as an administrative assistant for 4 years.  With a passion for math and numbers, Jing returned to school to complete a Post Degree Diploma in Accounting from Camosun College.  Jing joined the firm in 2018.  Jing’s hobbies include reading books and jogging.