20 Under 40: Sarah Queale
Meet Sarah Queale, 39, president of Synergy Tax & Business Solutions Inc., and one of our 20 Under 40 Class of 2021 recipients
SARAH QUEALE ESTABLISHED Synergy Tax & Business Solutions as a solo bookkeeper (with a Kijiji ad!) in 2008. She now oversees an eight-women team and has expanded the firm’s reach to serve clients in both Toronto and Edmonton as well as the Forest City. Dedicated to helping others grow and succeed, Synergy is firmly committed to taking the mystery and toil out of the math behind a business, and by doing so provides guidance, allyship and advice to help enable a growing roster of small- and medium-sized enterprises achieve their highest potential.
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What would you call your biggest business achievement, and why?
What started as a small business I ran out of my home has successfully grown into the organization that it is today. We are eight-women strong and are continuing to grow this fabulous team year over year while expanding and offering additional services. I’m incredibly proud of what this team has been able to accomplish.
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What about your biggest obstacle — and how did you tackle it?
I would say it has been digitizing our practice. Accounting and bookkeeping have historically been very paper-heavy. We are working closely with our clients to utilize the latest technology to help streamline the work and create an ease of working together. With the current climate, we are really taking advantage of the opportunity to meet virtually with clients and continue to keep those one-to-one relationships strong.
If you weren’t in your current field, what would you be doing?
I wonder that all the time. When I was younger, I really wanted to be a teacher, and I love helping people develop themselves professionally. I love learning new things and expanding my horizons through travel as well. That would be a fun industry to be part of. I have a creative spark, but that is sometimes difficult to incorporate into my work in my current profession.
What do you most like to do outside of work?
I love to travel. I’ve been to 26 countries so far, and I’m hoping to add to that list very soon. Adventures abroad are my absolute favourite.
Where are your favourite spots to eat in town?
There are so many great local restaurants, it would be difficult to decide. I’m a huge fan of Los Lobos and Craft Farmacy. 
Interview by Kieran Delamont