MNP Deepens Calgary Roots with Strategic Acquisition of Kassam

CALGARY, AB – January 19, 2026 – By Nancy Torres

In a move that reinforces its strategic ambitions in Western Canada, national professional services firm MNP has announced it will join forces with Kassam, a specialized Calgary-based tax services firm. The integration, set to become effective on January 26, 2026, will see founder Minaz Kassam and his entire team of nine professionals absorbed into MNP’s expansive Calgary operations.

This merger is more than a simple headcount increase; it represents a calculated step in a broader, long-term campaign by MNP to solidify its dominance in Canada’s competitive mid-market sector. For Calgary’s business community, particularly privately owned and emerging growth companies, the move signals a significant consolidation of expertise, promising both enhanced capabilities and a potential shift in the local advisory landscape.

A Pattern of Strategic Expansion

The acquisition of Kassam is the latest in a string of high-profile mergers and acquisitions that underscore MNP's aggressive growth strategy, particularly within Alberta. This approach is not new for the firm, which was founded in 1958 and has since grown to more than 150 locations across the country. However, its recent activity reveals a clear focus on deepening its regional market penetration and broadening its service lines beyond traditional accounting.

This pattern is evident in several key transactions over the past few years. In December 2024, MNP executed a massive deal to acquire 21 offices from competitor BDO Canada, a move that integrated over 40 partners and 420 team members across four provinces, including Alberta. This followed a series of targeted Alberta-based acquisitions, such as the October 2023 purchase of Betach, a Calgary IT services provider, and a March 2023 merger with Edmonton’s SVS Group LLP. The firm has consistently demonstrated an appetite for both scale and specialization, also acquiring technology-focused firms like Next Digital in 2020 and ERP consultancy Mantralogix in 2019 to build out its digital services practice.

Trevor Winkler, MNP's Regional Managing Partner for Calgary, framed the Kassam merger as a continuation of this commitment to the region. "MNP has a long history working with businesses throughout Alberta," Winkler stated in the official announcement. "Minaz and the entire Kassam team share our passion for supporting Calgary's business community. Their expertise will help us reach and support more organizations across the province. We are excited to welcome them into the MNP family."

This strategy allows MNP to operate on a dual track: achieving national scale while acquiring the deep local knowledge and trusted relationships of established regional players. By absorbing firms like Kassam, MNP not only gains a new book of business but also inherits specialized talent and decades of community goodwill.

Targeting a High-Value Niche

While MNP competes broadly across the professional services spectrum, the acquisition of Kassam specifically bolsters its capabilities in a crucial and often underserved segment: privately owned and emerging growth companies. Kassam, founded in 2007 by Minaz Kassam, has carved out a distinct reputation in Calgary for delivering tailored tax strategies to this very demographic. These businesses often require sophisticated advisory services but may not have the scale to command the full attention of the ‘Big Four’ accounting giants—PwC, KPMG, EY, and Deloitte—who also have a major presence in the city.

This creates a fertile ground for mid-market focused firms. By integrating Kassam, MNP strengthens its value proposition against competitors like Grant Thornton and Crowe MacKay, as well as a host of respected local firms. The move provides MNP with a ready-made team of specialists who possess an intimate understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing private enterprises, from succession planning and wealth management to navigating complex tax regulations during periods of rapid growth.

For Kassam and its clients, the merger is positioned as a gateway to a wider universe of resources. "We were looking for an opportunity to expand our capabilities and provide our clients with access to broader expertise and resources," explained Minaz Kassam. He emphasized that MNP was the right partner due to a fundamental alignment of principles. "MNP is the right fit because it shares our values, our commitment to exceptional client service, and our focus on building trusted, long-term relationships."

This sentiment reflects the core dynamic of such mergers: smaller, specialized firms gain access to the national and even international resources of a larger entity—including digital transformation services, complex consulting, and broader assurance capabilities—while the acquiring firm gains targeted expertise and market share.

The Critical Role of Cultural and Client Integration

Industry analysts frequently note that the success of a professional services merger hinges less on the financial terms and more on the successful integration of people, culture, and clients. MNP appears keenly aware of this dynamic, with leadership emphasizing cultural compatibility as a primary driver of the deal.

"We are growing fast but we're absolutely committed to maintaining our culture and so have always been very strategic about who we invite to join our team," noted Diana Render, MNP's Executive Vice President for the Prairies. "Our cultures and values are well-aligned, and we share the same entrepreneurial, trusted approach to doing business. We're thrilled to welcome Minaz and the Kassam team to MNP."

The decision to bring Kassam's entire team of ten professionals into the MNP fold is a crucial element of this strategy. For Kassam's existing clients, this ensures continuity of service and the preservation of long-standing relationships. The familiar faces and trusted advisors they have worked with for years will remain their primary points of contact, albeit now operating under the MNP banner and with access to a deeper bench of specialists.

This approach aligns with best practices for client retention during a merger, which prioritize clear communication and minimizing disruption. The transition period will be a critical test, as the combined entity works to seamlessly integrate Kassam's operations, IT systems, and client management processes into MNP's larger framework. Successfully navigating this phase will be key to realizing the full strategic value of the acquisition and ensuring that the promised benefits of expanded expertise and resources are delivered to the clients at the heart of the transaction.