The tax and accounting professionals of Pagnanini Edwards Lam ("PEL") offer comprehensive public practice solutions coupled with no-nonsense business advice. Conveniently located in North Burnaby, we pride ourselves on providing full service solutions and advice tailored to each client's unique circumstances. PEL caters to a diverse group of clients operating in a wide variety of industries including retail, restaurant, medical services, construction, high technology, biotechnology, real estate development, private education, manufacturing, film production services and software development.

Our People

Grace Pagnanini, B.Comm, CA, Partner
grace@accountantsplus.ca

Grace’s many years with Price Waterhouse, both in the Independent Business Services department and as a Tax Manager, developed her strength in accounting and auditing as well as her specialization in personal and corporate taxation.

Focusing on small and medium-sized owner-managed companies, Grace’s commitment to satisfying all the business needs of her clients has continued throughout her career. Grace holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and has completed the ICABC In-Depth Tax Course. She has also served on the boards of various non-profit and business organizations.

Grace is a founding partner of Pagnanini Edwards Lam and is fluent in Italian.

Kathryn Edwards, B.Comm (Hon), CA, Partner
kathy@accountantsplus.ca

Kathryn is an experienced lecturer, presenter and public speaker. A five-year instructor for the School of Chartered Accountancy and having served on various committees for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C., she enjoys sharing her business and tax knowledge with others. Her ability to communicate clearly and effectively has made her a welcome speaker and presenter at various business and professional organizations.

Kathryn began her career in 1986 in the Audit department of Price Waterhouse, quickly advancing to the Tax group where she specialized in corporate and personal tax matters. Kathryn later accepted the opportunity to head-up the tax practice of a local CA firm where she could focus on the income tax requirements of small to medium sized businesses and their owner-managers. After extensively developing her expertise in the area of owner-manager operations, Kathryn exercised her own entrepreneurial inclinations and formed a partnership with Grace Pagnanini in 1994. This practice has since grown into “Pagnanini Edwards Lam”, in which Kathryn focuses her well-rounded years of experience and expertise as a general practitioner providing services to small to medium sized businesses and their owners.

Allan Lam, B.Comm, CA, Partner
allan@accountantsplus.ca

Allan is a Chartered Accountant registered in both BC and Ontario. In Ontario, he gained valuable audit and accounting experience in an international CA firm before becoming a Senior Manager with a medium-sized Toronto CA firm.

In addition to providing a wide breadth of accounting and tax services to owner-managed business, Allan has extensive audit and corporate finance experience with publicly listed companies, particularly those in the high technology and biotechnology sectors. His expertise in the planning and compliance areas of scientific research and experimental development (“SRED”) tax credit claims has also contributed significantly to the growth of many our clients.

Allan holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Carleton University and has served on the boards of many non-profit and business organizations.

Allan is a founding partner of Pagnanini Edwards Lam.

Connie Leung, BBA, CGA, Manager
connie@accountantsplus.ca

Connie came to Vancouver in 1991 after earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Hong Kong. She has over 10 years of private industry and public practise experience. Connie’s fluency in Cantonese and Mandarin has made her a valuable member of the PEL team.

Connie has completed the ICABC In-Depth Tax Course and is pursuing a specialization in tax.

Mary MacLellan, B.Sc., CGA, Manager
mary@accountantsplus.ca

Mary received a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan Technological Institute before changing gears and pursuing an interest in accounting. She earned her CGA designation in 1997 and has now worked in public practice for over 15 years. Her strength and experience in the area of information technology (“IT”) has allowed her to effectively assist our clients in setting up their accounting systems and training their staff.

Mary is also very well versed in several accounting packages and IT matters, skills that many of our clients have found useful when working out internal software issues.

Howard Yan, B.Comm, CGA, Manager
howard@accountantsplus.ca

Howard joined our team in 2007 after eight years with PricewaterhouseCoopers as an Assistant Manager with the Integrated Service Solutions group, servicing small and medium sized businesses. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia.

Howard earned his CGA designation in 1999 and has nearly 15 years of public practice experience. Combined with his extensive background in finance, including three years as an Account Manager with the Business Development Bank in Toronto, Howard has effectively added his strengths to our firm.

Zulema Sanabria, Dip. Bus. Acc, ACIA
zulema@accountantsplus.ca

Originally from Managua, Nicaragua, where she worked as Assistant to the Director of the InterContinential Hotel, Zulema immigrated to Canada in 1988.

Zulema joined our office in an administrative support role in 1998. However, given her strong drive and proficiency with numbers, it didn’t take her long to pursue a career in accounting. Zulema very successfully completed the Advanced Certificate in Accounting Program with the Institute of Chartered Accounts of BC and now handles much of our clients’ regular accounting. She also has a strong knowledge of various accounting software programs and assists our clients with related IT matters. Zulema is fluent in Spanish.

Catherine Yuen, B.Bus, CGA
catherine@accountantsplus.ca

Catherine came to Vancouver in 1995 after earning a Bachelor of Business degree in Hong Kong.

In addition to her CGA designation, she has worked extensively in both the private and public sectors and is fluent in Cantonese.

Ivonne Mendoza, Receptionist/Adminstrative Assistant
ivonne@accountantsplus.ca

Ivonne was born in El Salvador and moved with her family to Quebec City in 1988, where she completed her schooling.

In addition to handling our switchboard, Ivonne provides administrative support to all of us at PEL. With her friendly manner and her attention to detail, she is an invaluable member of our team and is generally the first voice you hear when you call our office.

Ivonne is continuing her education on a part-time basis by taking accounting courses at BCIT. She is also fluent in both Spanish and French.