Behind the Business – Chaggares & Bonhomme CPA
Great businesses aren’t built overnight. They’re built through relationships, hard work, and a commitment to doing things right. For Chaggares & Bonhomme CPA (C&B CPA), that philosophy has been at the heart of its success for more than two decades.
What began in 2005 as a small accounting practice with just two employees has grown into a thriving professional organization with four partners and a broader group of almost 70 people. Along the way, C&B CPA has remained true to the values that helped establish its reputation: personalized service, practical advice, and a genuine investment in the success of its clients and community.
As a long-standing member and Corporate Partner of the Central York Chamber of Commerce, C&B CPA’s story is one of entrepreneurial growth, community leadership, and the power of building relationships that last.
From Humble Beginnings to a Growing Professional Team
The C&B CPA story began in 2005 when Rob Chaggares purchased a small accounting practice with one full-time and one part-time employee.
With an entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to providing clients with more than traditional accounting services, the firm began growing steadily through referrals, reputation, and strong client relationships.
Today, alongside partners Pierre Bonhomme, Duncan Peake, and Jayson Rutledge, the firm has evolved into a multidisciplinary professional organization serving businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals, not-for-profit organizations, and families throughout York Region and beyond.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of this growth is that, beyond the original practice purchased in 2005, the firm has never acquired another accounting practice. Its expansion has been entirely organic, built one client, one referral, and one team member at a time.
And in a testament to the organization’s commitment to its people, the original full-time employee who joined the firm in 2005 remains part of the C&B Group today.
It’s a meaningful reminder that while businesses may grow and evolve, the relationships behind them often tell the most important story.
More Than Numbers: A Partner in Business Success
While accounting and tax services remain at the core of C&B CPA’s work, the firm’s approach goes well beyond preparing financial statements and tax returns.
From tax planning and assurance services to business structuring, succession planning, valuations, and strategic advice, the team helps clients navigate the financial decisions that shape their businesses and their futures.
Through its sister companies and professional network, C&B CPA can also connect clients with expertise in bookkeeping, information technology, legal matters, and investment services.
This broader network allows the organization to address interconnected business challenges while maintaining the personal relationships and accountability of a locally rooted firm.
What makes this approach particularly valuable is that the firm’s four partners are business owners themselves. They understand firsthand the realities of managing employees, investing in growth, navigating uncertainty, and making difficult decisions.
For C&B CPA, it’s not simply about understanding the numbers. It’s about understanding the people and businesses behind them.
Helping Local Businesses Navigate What’s Next
Business owners across Central York are facing an increasingly complex operating environment. Rising costs, workforce challenges, evolving technology, and changing tax and regulatory requirements are creating new pressures for organizations of all sizes.
At the same time, many entrepreneurs are beginning to think more seriously about the future of their businesses, whether that means preparing for succession, developing the next generation of leadership, or planning for an eventual transition.
C&B CPA recognizes that today’s business owners need more than accurate financial reporting. They need advisors who can help them understand what their financial information means and how to use it to make better decisions.
By combining technical expertise with practical, forward-looking advice, the firm helps clients identify potential challenges earlier, evaluate opportunities, and approach important business decisions with greater confidence.
It’s this commitment to being a trusted advisor, rather than simply a service provider, that continues to shape the organization’s growth and client relationships.
A Culture Built Around People
Despite its growth, C&B CPA has maintained a culture that values accessibility, collaboration, and personal connection.
The team believes professional advice shouldn’t feel intimidating or impersonal. Clients should feel comfortable asking questions, discussing challenges, and involving their advisors in important conversations before decisions need to be made.
Internally, collaboration is equally important. With four partners, a growing team, and access to specialized professionals, the firm brings together different perspectives to provide thoughtful and well-rounded advice.
That same collaborative spirit extends beyond the office.
For C&B CPA, supporting a strong local business community means contributing time, knowledge, and leadership to the organizations that help make Central York a great place to live, work, and do business.
Over the years, the firm’s partners and team members have served on boards of charitable and not-for-profit organizations, volunteered their expertise, and supported community initiatives throughout the region.
Their involvement reflects a belief that strong businesses and strong communities go hand in hand.
A Long-Standing Connection to the Central York Chamber
C&B CPA’s relationship with the Chamber dates back to 2005, the same year the firm was founded.
Over more than two decades, the organization has remained an active part of the local business network, with its partners contributing to Chamber leadership and supporting the broader business community.
The firm’s commitment to professional excellence and community involvement has also earned recognition along the way, including being named the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce Professional Services Business of the Year in both 2012 and 2015.
These awards represent important milestones in the organization’s journey, but the lasting impact of C&B CPA extends beyond individual achievements.
As a Corporate Partner of the Central York Chamber, the firm continues to demonstrate the value of investing in local connections, sharing expertise, and contributing to a business environment where entrepreneurs and organizations can succeed together.
Looking Ahead, While Staying True to Its Roots
From a small accounting practice to a growing professional services organization, C&B CPA’s journey is a reminder that sustainable business growth doesn’t always come from major acquisitions or dramatic expansion.
Sometimes, it comes from consistently delivering on promises, investing in people, earning trust, and building a reputation that speaks for itself.
More than 20 years after opening its doors, the firm continues to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit that started it all, while offering clients the expanded expertise and resources needed to navigate an increasingly complex business landscape.
For the Central York Chamber, C&B CPA represents what makes our local business community strong: entrepreneurs who build successful organizations while remaining committed to the people, partnerships, and communities that helped them grow.
We are proud to recognize Chaggares & Bonhomme CPA as a valued Corporate Partner and thank the entire team for their continued leadership, involvement, and commitment to strengthening the Central York business community.
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