How to find a tax advisor who speaks Ukrainian?

Professional tax advice becomes critical as soon as a newcomer starts working, opens a business, or plans to file their first Canadian tax return. Below is a detailed guide to help you find a certified professional who speaks Ukrainian in the heart of Alberta.

Why look for a Ukrainian-speaking professional?

The vast majority of tax terms and abbreviations cannot be translated literally, and ambiguities in wording can easily lead to mistakes. An advisor who speaks Ukrainian offers three advantages: − accurate translation of terms such as “worldwide income,” “foreign tax credit,” and “notice of assessment”;

− the ability to explain the differences between the Ukrainian and Canadian systems without linguistic loss; − cultural sensitivity to documents issued in Ukraine (certificates, powers of attorney, transfers), which often raise questions for Canadian professionals.

Step 1. Verify CPA status

All individuals providing paid tax services in Alberta must be registered with CPA Alberta, the professional regulatory body. The website offers a free Verify Member service: simply enter the individual's last name to verify their current status and disciplinary history. If the consultant is not listed in the registry, ask for a written explanation as to why; this is not formally prohibited for the preparation of personal tax returns, but it significantly increases the risks.

Step 2. Use the language filter in the CPA directory

In the “Business City” field, enter Calgary and leave the last name field blank. The system will display a list of all active CPAs in the city; then call and ask for Ukrainian-speaking service. Often, specialists indicate additional languages in their profile description, but this is not mandatory; a call or letter will allow you to clarify the availability of a Ukrainian-speaking colleague.

Step 3. Contact companies that officially declare Ukrainian

  • RMI LLP — a multidisciplinary accounting firm that publicly lists Ukrainian among its service languages alongside Russian, Nepali, and Korean.

  • MDD Forensic Accountants — Roman Prytula, who is fluent in Ukrainian, works in the Calgary office and is vice president of forensic and economic services.

  • In addition to private practice, look for advisors in large networks (KPMG, PwC, Deloitte) — among the employees, you can find people from Ukraine, such as Oksana Kusevich at KPMG Calgary or Olena Sikorska at Enbridge with a CPA certificate.

Step 4. Check out free or discounted options for newcomers

  • Immigrant Services Calgary offers year-round individual tax clinics with translation in more than 80 languages, including Ukrainian.

  • Ukrainian Foundation Tax Clinic is held annually from March 1 to April 30 and accepts clients with modest incomes by appointment.

  • Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is a network of free clinics where volunteers fill out tax returns; language support is indicated at individual locations, and the list is updated on the CLIP portal.

If your case is more complicated and your budget is limited, start with a free clinic: specialists will advise you on whether you need a paid consultant.

Step 5. Engage the Ukrainian community and professional social networks

  • St. Vladimir’s Social Support Network maintains a database of Ukrainian-speaking lawyers, translators, and accountants, which is updated monthly by volunteers.

  • Thematic Facebook groups such as Ukrainians in Calgary and Telegram chats for migrants publish lists of verified consultants and reviews of their prices every year.

  • LinkedIn — with the filter “Calgary” + “Ukrainian language,” it is easy to find profiles of practicing CPAs; then you should ask for recommendations from acquaintances or look at endorsements.

Step 6. Make a short checklist for the first conversation

  • “Are you a certified CPA Alberta and can I verify your number?”

  • “Do you have experience working with newcomers or CUAET status?”

  • “Do you correspond in Ukrainian/English and who signs the declaration?”

  • “What is the fee range for T1 and does it include foreign tax credit?”

  • “Do you provide a written engagement letter specifying your responsibilities?”

Clear answers to these questions will help you weed out unprofessionals and establish the scope of services.

Step 7. Additional resources and support

− The Alberta Supports hotline provides advice in Ukrainian and refers you to trusted financial services across the province. − CPA Alberta Career Services occasionally publishes lists of members who are available for volunteer tax consultations; it is worth subscribing to their newsletter. − A step-by-step tax guide is available in Ukrainian from CUAET, which explains the details of Canadian tax returns and contains contact information for volunteer accountants.

Summary

Finding a Ukrainian-speaking tax advisor in Calgary is possible if you combine a formal check through CPA Alberta, a search among companies that declare Ukrainian, and support from local community organizations. After a short interview and verification of your CPA certificate, you will be assigned a specialist who can guide you through all the intricacies of Canadian taxation without any language barriers — from calculating foreign tax credits to planning RRSPs. This is especially valuable in the first years of adaptation, when mistakes in reporting can cost more than the consultation itself.