Ryan Veldman

DDL & Co. Area of Specialty

I primarily work in the assurance department; I have 5 years’ experience performing compilation and assembly engagements, though I have expanded into review and audit engagements as well. I also assist in ensuring our software is kept up-to-date.

What do you enjoy most about working at DDL & Co. in St. Catharines?

Management at DDL & Co. is very strong, and strives to offer opportunities to grow and learn, while also giving staff a strong sense of autonomy. They believe in what they do, and that culture pervades all departments of the firm.

Why did you choose an accounting career?

It’s a far more social industry than you expect. When the idea of going into accounting was first pitched to me I envisioned the archetype of a man sitting behind a tape calculator, surrounded by paperwork. Maybe at one point that was true, but in the last few decades technology has shifted the focus from the technical process to the presentation. Accountants now need to be able to relay their thought process in a manner that is digestible to people from all walks of life.

Inspirational quote(s) or idea(s) you live by:

“When you’re in a dark place, it’s not always because you were buried. Sometimes, it’s because you’ve been planted.”

Favourite Hobbies:

I am a massive foodie; I enjoy artisanal cooking and visiting local breweries.

I am big into rock music and enjoy playing guitar and attending concerts. I’m not much of a sporty guy but I do enjoy going to a Jays’ game too, every once in a while.

Beyond that, most of my time is spent playing video games or trying to ensure my son wins a Nobel prize one day; he is two years old and can already count to 14, so I think we’re well ahead of my five-year timeline.

Favourite chocolate bar:

Skor, and it’s frankly not even close.

Favourite show:

It’s a bit of an acquired taste, but I really enjoyed the Netflix original “Dark”. It’s a show about a small town in rural Germany that experiences some very unnatural events, that eventually cascades into a spiderweb of complicated relationships and interactions, spanning multiple different time periods (so yeah, there’s time travel).