Wealth Advisory Partners
Michael Tarantino- Vice President & Head of Senior Wealth Management Consultants, BMO Financial Group
Michael has over 15 years experience in the financial services industry and has worked for several major banks and a mutual fund firm. Since 1997 Michael has focused on providing high net worth clients, executives and business owners with strategic direction and customized financial plans to address their unique and complex needs and goals.
Michael completed his BA in Economics from York University and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® or CFP® designation, Canadian Investment Manager (CIM), Financial Management Adviser (FMA), Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI) and the Chartered Strategic Wealth Professional (CSWP) designations and is a member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (TEP). He is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration.
John W. Waters, C.A. - Vice President & Head of Technical Expertise
John's areas of expertise include personal tax and corporate tax for private corporations as well as financial and estate planning for high net worth individuals, executives and entrepreneurs.
Before joining BMO Nesbitt Burns, John was employed by a large, international accounting firm as a senior member of the Toronto High Net Worth tax practice. John has also assisted in the design and execution of executive compensation plans and has experience in a wide range of planning scenarios involving the taxation of individuals, corporations, trusts and partnerships. John is a Chartered Accountant (CA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® or CFP® professional and member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP). He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) from Queen's University.
Irit Gertzbein B.A., LLB Manager of Estate & Trust Planning
Irit has extensive experience as a trusts and estates lawyer at major Toronto law firms, focusing on estate planning, estate administration and estate litigation. Her areas of expertise include Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, joint tenancy, other vehicles of property ownership and assisting clients with the implementation of a variety of estate planning strategies.
Irit has published numerous articles on trusts and estates law and is an assistant editor of the Ontario Bar Association's Trusts and Estates Section newsletter Deadbeat, as well as a past contributor to Advising the Family-Owned Business, a publication by Canada Law Book. Irit is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Statutory Review sub-committee of the Ontario Bar Association.
Linda Leung, CPA - Tax Specialist
Linda is responsible for providing Investment Advisors and their clients with Canadian and U.S. tax planning support.
Before joining BMO Nesbitt Burns, Linda was a member of a global tax team at a large consulting firm where she assisted individuals in understanding the Canadian, U.S. and international tax implications of their various forms of compensation. Prior to that, she was employed by a large, international accounting firm in their International Assignment Services and Small Business tax groups. Linda has expertise in U.S. personal tax matters and can provide guidance on cross-border personal income tax issues. In her previous role, Linda was also involved in the design and execution of global executive compensation and share plans. Linda is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).