ABOUT HELMSMAN
Built for ComplexityHelmsman works inside organizations navigating growth, transition, and restructuring, bringing structure and clarity when it is needed most.
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When organizations reach a critical point
- Growth puts pressure on systems.
- Financial complexity affects decisions.
- Stakeholders demand clearer answers.
These are the moments when organizations bring in Helmsman. We step in to stabilize operations, strengthen financial discipline, and build the structure required to move forward with confidence.
How Helmsman works
Helmsman operates inside organizations, not alongside them. We embed directly with leadership teams to understand the business, the pressures, and the mandate. From there, we bring structure to the areas that matter most, aligning finance, operations, and governance to restore clarity and control. Our work is focused, practical, and built to create momentum in situations where decisions carry weight.
execution
What this looks like in practice
Embedded Execution.
Working as part of your team, not outside it.
Operational clarity.
Clear reporting, aligned priorities, and disciplined decision-making.
Lasting structure.
Processes that continue to perform long after completion.
Our team
John Parkinson
CPA, CA, B.Comm, B.A. Principal - President
Proven senior executive with a depth of experience in the management of complex, dynamic organizations. John is a Chartered Accountant by trade with extensive C level experience in leadership of companies in a number of industry sectors.
Stephen Albinati
CPA, CA - Senior Associate
Stephen is a dynamic finance professional with over 20 years as a Chartered Professional Accountant. He holds a Master of Professional Accounting degree from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria.
Natasha Rice
CPA, CGA, PCP - Associate
Natasha is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over a dozen years of accounting experience. Her expertise is full-cycle accounting, financial statement preparation and general ledger maintenance.
John Wallace
B.A. - Associate
John is responsible for investor communications and special projects. With a breadth of business experience spanning over 25 years, John brings strong communication skills, a depth of investor relations and business experience to the Helmsman team.
Braden Dougherty
Associate
Braden is Helmsman’s IT Specialist. Drawing on his university education, analytical skill and over 10 years of experience in technical support, quality assurance and client training roles, Braden is responsible for the design, implementation, monitoring and maintenance of IT systems.
Marco Rossato
B.A. - Associate
Marco brings his significant experience in public practice accounting to Helmsman’s strong financial team. Marco has over 20 years of accounting experience with a focus on personal and corporate tax filings, NTR’s and review engagements.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING
John and the crew at Helmsman were an integral part of our team from start to finish. They provided strong financial leadership and reliable back office support. Their experience was a big plus and they clearly understood our needs.
Patrick Robinson
President, Robinson Sauders Family Office Inc.
I have worked closely with John, Stephen and the team at Helmsman on numerous M&A, corporate finance, securities and general commercial matters. In addition to providing a suite of back-office services to emerging and high-growth companies that is unparalleled, they have exceptional prowess as strategic advisors and decision makers. Simply put, the depth of their expertise is shown by the quality of work they attract.
Ashley J. Ridyard
Principle, AJR Law
Helmsman has been a stunning one stop shop for establishing and maintaining our North American footprint. Rather than managing a roster of separate advisors across finance, legal, and HR, Helmsman brought it all together. This has allowed us to focus on our business and not worry about the plethora of bureaucratic issues that goes with running a multi-geo operation. They have consistently provided a superb service, executed elegantly and accurately.
Jonathan Tooley
Founder, JTA: The Data Scientists
Helmsman built our financial infrastructure by implementing a scalable accounting system, cash flow forecasting, budgeting, and reporting. Their guidance and support positioned us to scale confidently while making smarter and faster financial decisions. The team brings a wide range of expertise, including IT support, and consistently demonstrates professionalism, strong communication, and responsiveness. The result is smoother daily operations, stronger accountability, and measurable progress toward our growth goals.
