Bruce Flexman

President of the International Financial Centre BC

Bruce Flexman, formerly Canadian Managing Partner, Tax at KPMG LLP, is the President of the IFC BC. He is currently Chair of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) Tax Policy Committee, which includes the managing partners of the six largest accounting firms in Canada. Bruce is also a member of the Vancouver International Financial Sector Steering Committee, which has been tasked by the BC Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development and the Ministry of Finance to present recommendations to enhance Vancouver as an international financial centre.

During his tenure at KPMG, Bruce Flexman was responsible for managing the Canadian Tax Practice of approximately 900 tax professionals as well as long-term strategic business and financial planning. He brings a wealth of international experience from serving as one of six members of KPMG’s International Tax Steering group tasked with coordinating the global tax practice. He served on KPMG’s Board of Directors and was elected Chair. Bruce also served for two years on KPMG America’s Board of Directors. He is well-known in the Vancouver business community having served as KPMG Vancouver’s Partner-In-Charge, Tax from 1995 to 2003 and Office Managing Partner of the New Westminster office from 1986 to 1989.

In 1989, Bruce transferred to the Ottawa office of KPMG to assist the firm in preparing for the introduction of the GST as its National Partner-in-Charge, GST. During the time in Ottawa, Bruce acted as Technical Advisor to the Senate Banking and Finance Committee on hearings into the GST.  From 1991 to 1993, Bruce was on loan to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as Deputy Director General, Policy and Legislation in Headquarters.

Bruce obtained a degree in Engineering Mathematics from Queen’s University and followed that with an MBA with Distinction from Cornell University. After a short stint with the Ford Motor Company as a financial analyst, Bruce volunteered for two years as a Lecturer at the Zambia Institute of Technology under the auspices of Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO) before joining KPMG.

Bruce is married to Dale, a communications and public policy consultant. He has four accomplished daughters (lucky man!): Alana (medical doctor and specialist in anesthesiology); Jennifer (PhD. in bio-medical engineering); Molly (PhD. candidate in bio-medical engineering at Columbia University); and Tyla (member of the National Women’s Field Hockey team). Beyond his family, Bruce’s passion is running, having completed over 20 marathons (including 9 Boston marathons) and 1 sub 3-hour marathon. His active conditioning allows him to enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing and golf.

Bruce was awarded his FCA (Fellow of Chartered Accountant) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia for his service to the profession and community and currently serves on their Member Recognition Committee. He is a past Governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation and a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and the BC Business Council. Bruce supports the Arts Club Theatre Company as a member of its Campaign Executive Committee.

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