Marie-Claude Frigon

Partner | CPA

Write to Marie-Claude Frigon

Accessible, versatile, visionary.

As the business community is constantly evolving, you need to be able to rely on experts who are able to cope with changing situations. Marie-Claude certainly has a solid background, particularly in the retail, innovation and technology, and manufacturing and publishing sectors.

As a partner, Marie-Claude has been entrusted with the management of the Retail Advisory Services Group and the Firm’s Innovation and Technology Group.

Accustomed to carrying out large-scale mandates, Marie-Claude works closely with business leaders in order to clearly identify their needs and to propose simple and practical solutions that stimulate business growth. Her field of expertise is extensive, and she is able to take on a variety of mandates including strategic planning, preparation of financial and budgetary forecasts, and financial and operational advisory services.

Marie-Claude also enjoys wide public recognition. In addition to acting as a speaker in the retail sector, she is often called upon to comment in the media on issues specific to this field.

Fields of expertise

Strategic planning
Business plan development
Preparation of financial and budgetary forecasts
Review of internal controls and related recommendations
Financial and operational advisory services
Inventory management and control
Sector analysis of results
Comparative analysis of results

Industries

Retail
Innovation and technology
Manufacturing
Publishing

Academic background

Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA auditor, CA), 1990
Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, 1988
B.B.A. (with distinction), Specialization in accounting, McGill University, 1987

Professional and community involvement

École des entrepreneurs du Québec – Board of Directors, Treasurer and President of the audit committee, since 2018
Women in Governance – Member of the Programming and Partnerships Committee, since 2017
Quebec Hardware and Building Supply Association (AQMAT) – Collaborator of the Strategic Planning Guide, 2014-2017
Quebec Technology Association (AQT) – Member, since 2014
Superior Court of Montréal District – Retail expert witness, 2013
Women’s Centre of Montréal Foundation – President and treasurer of the Board of Directors, since 2013
Boutique des Métiers d’art du Québec (company owned by SODEC and the Conseil des Métiers d’art du Québec) – Member of the Board of Directors, 2012-2015
Chambre de commerce et de l’industrie de Laval (CCIL) – President of the jury responsible for the selection of finalists and winners of the Dunamis Awards, 2011 and 2012
SAQ-HEC Montreal Program in Retail Management – Program facilitator, since 2010
Administrative Court of Québec – Retail expert witness, 2008
Cercle Omer DeSerres – Founding member, since 2004
Fondation de la mode de Montréal – Member of the Board of Directors, 2003-2012
Conseil québécois du commerce de détail – Member of the annual convention organizing committee, 2002-2008
Conseil québécois du commerce de détail – Presenter of the annual convention, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012

Public recognition

Quoted in an article by Stéphane Rolland. “Pourquoi Amazon vaut-elle 60 fois ses bénéfices”, Les Affaires. October 2019.
Interviewed by Gérard Filion. “La Fin de Sears”, RDI Économie, CBC. Octobre 2017.
Quoted in an article. “Sears Canada veut mettre fin à ses activités”, Radio-Canada. October 2017.
Quoted in an article by Pierre Couture. “Fermeture de magasins Sears : maux de tête et opportunités”, Le Journal de Québec. June 2017.
Quoted in an article by Pierre Couture. “Sears Canada ferme 14 magasins au Québec”, Le Journal de Québec. June 2017.
Quoted in an article by Pierre Couture. “Sears Canada au bord de la Faillite”, Le Journal de Québec. June 2017.
Interviewed by Mario Dumont. “Les problèmes des grands détaillants ne surprennent personne”, TVA Nouvelles. June 2017.
Interviewed by Gérald Fillion. “Is there a future for Sears?”, RDI Économie, CBC. June 2017.
Quoted in an article by Julien Arsenault. “Dollarama acceptera les cartes de crédit dans ses magasins”, La Presse. March 2017.
Quoted in an article by Anne Gaignaire. “Ces PME québécoises qui osent se lancer en Bourse”, Les Affaires. October 2016.
Co-author with Phil Lichtsztral. “4 benchmarking lessons for the retail sector”, Richter.ca. October 2016.
Author. “Retail: Five questions to grow your profits in 2016”, Richter.ca. March 2016.
Quoted in article by Marie-Eve Fournier. “Comment survivre dans un contexte hostile?”, La Presse. February 2016.
Television interview on Black Friday, LCN. November 2015.
Quoted in the article by Marie-Ève Fournier. “Frénésie et frustrations du Vendredi fou”, La Presse. November 2015.
Radio interview. “CJAD News”, on Black Friday, CJAD. November 2015.
Television interview. “Evening news”, on Black Friday, Global. November 2015.
Television interview. “News Montreal” on Black Friday, CTV. November 2015.
Quoted in an article by Michelle Lalonde. “Make that list: tips on holiday shopping for the reluctant and the keen”, The Gazette. November 2015.
Quoted in an article by Rogers. “Commerce de détail : à quand le magasin intelligent?”, Les Affaires. November 2015.
Quoted in an article by Isabelle Massé. “Qu’est-ce qui ne va pas avec Sears”, La Presse (Affaires). August 2015.
Quoted in an article by Stéphan Dussault. “Les magasins tombent comme des mouches”, Le Journal de Montréal. April 2015.
Radio interview. “Les éclaireurs” on the technological lagging of retailers, Radio-Canada. March 2015.
Quoted in an article by Isabelle Massé. “Commerce de détail : après l’hécatombe”, La Presse (Affaires). February 2015.
Panelist. “Corporate State Summit-Leaping to Multi-Channel”, Montréal. February 2015.
Radio interview. “Désautels le dimanche” on the effects of the recent changes in the retail sector, Radio-Canada. January 2015.

Services

Marie-Claude’s Expertise

Audit and Assurance Services

To know where you’re going, it’s important to know where you’ve been. Audits and professional assurance services gives you a clear picture of your business’s current performance.

Transition and Succession Planning

For business owners, the business itself is the ultimate investment. It’s often all in, and the way to retire happily ever after. But what if “ever after” comes before you’re happily prepared?