Voted Best of Red Deer 7 Years in a Row!

Cory G. Litzenberger, CPA, CMA, CFP, C.Mgr

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CEO  |  Director - CGL Tax

Book an appointment with Cory

 

With the Income Tax Act always within his reach, Cory has taken the definition of tax nerd to another level. His background in strategic business planning, tax-efficient corporate reorganizations, management, and financial planning bring a well-rounded approach to assisting private owner-managed corporations. He understands the need to look at the entire picture when increasing his clients' wealth and not just focus on one aspect. Having this perspective helps develop a customized strategy for each client. 

Like many of our clients, Cory is an entrepreneur that started from scratch. He did not buy an existing practice nor have clients given to him. He started in his basement, meeting in coffee shops, restaurants, businesses and even his clients' homes. He knows the effort and sacrifices it takes to build a business and learned it first-hand.

Cory is driven by the desire to help clients adapt to the ever-changing tax and economic environment by increasing their wealth through optimizing tax legislation coupled with strategic business planning and financial analysis.

His relaxed blue-collar approach in a traditionally white-collar industry can raise a few eyebrows, but in his own words: “People don’t pay me for my looks. My modelling career ended at birth.”

Cory’s primary area of expertise is tax, succession, and estate planning for owner-managers of private corporations, particularly those entering the tax and business complexities that come with business growth and personal wealth.

Cory’s ability to take highly complex legislation and explain it in down-to-earth language brings a next-door neighbour approach to a traditionally formal industry.

Cory lives for Federal Budget Day. He soaks up new legislation like a sponge and does not wait for others to teach him about it later. Instead, Cory reads it the day it comes out like a child on Christmas morning. By focusing on changes in tax legislation the day it comes out, he can advise clients on the issues and plan how to mitigate them from the changes a year before the taxes are even due.

Qualifications

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP) - The Canadian Institute of Financial Planning - 2009
  • In-Depth Tax Program Levels I, II, III - CPA Canada - 2006-2008
  • Chartered Manager (C.Mgr) - Canadian Institute of Management - 2007
  • Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) - CPA Saskatchewan (Society of Management Accountants of Saskatchewan) - 2003

Professional Affiliations

  • Certified ProAdvisor - Intuit Quickbooks Online 
  • Advisor Certified - Xero Limited
  • Member – CPA Alberta Tax Working Group
  • Member – Canadian Tax Foundation
  • Former Instructor – Red Deer College Continuing Education

Recognition

  • Winner - Quality Business Awards - Quality Rating over 95% - 2024
  • Winner - Quality Business Awards - Best Accountants in Red Deer - 2024
  • Recipient - CommunityVotes Red Deer - Income Tax Preparation - Silver - 2024
  • Recipient - CommunityVotes Red Deer - Tax Services - Silver - 2024
  • Recipient - CommunityVotes Red Deer - Accounting Firm - Bronze - 2024
  • Recipient - CommunityVotes Red Deer - Accountants - Bronze - 2024
  • Recipient - ThreeBestRated - Accounting Firms (Red Deer) - 2024
  • Winner - 2024 Consumer Choice Award - Central Alberta - Small Business Accountants
  • Recipient - CommunityVotes Red Deer - Best Accounting Firm - Silver - 2023
  • Recipient - CommunityVotes Red Deer - Best Accountants - Bronze - 2023
  • Recipient - ThreeBestRated - Accounting Firms (Red Deer) - 2023
  • Winner - 2023 Consumer Choice Award - Central Alberta - Small Business Accountants
  • Recipient - CommunityVotes Red Deer - Best Accounting Firm - Silver - 2022
  • Recipient - CommunityVotes Red Deer - Best Accountants - Silver - 2022
  • Winner - 2022 Consumer Choice Award - Central Alberta - Small Business Accountants
  • Recipient - ThreeBestRated - Accounting Firms (Red Deer) - 2022
  • Recipient - Alignable - Red Deer - Local Businessperson of the Year - 2021
  • Winner - Quality Business Awards - Best Accountants in Red Deer - 2021
  • Recipient - CommunityVotes Red Deer - Best Accounting Firm - Gold - 2021
  • Recipient - CommunityVotes Red Deer - Best Accountants - Silver - 2021
  • Recipient - ThreeBestRated - Accounting Firms (Red Deer) - 2021
  • Nominee - Red Deer Chamber of Commerce - Business of the Year - 2020
  • Recipient - CommunityVotes Red Deer - Best Accounting Firm - Gold - 2020
  • Recipient - CommunityVotes Red Deer - Best Accountants - Silver - 2020
  • Recipient - ThreeBestRated - Accounting Firms (Red Deer) - 2020
  • Recipient – Red Deer Reader’s Choice Awards – Best Accounting Firm – Bronze, 2019
  • Recipient - ThreeBestRated - Accounting Firms (Red Deer) - 2019
  • Recipient – Red Deer Reader’s Choice Awards – Best Accounting Firm – Gold, 2018
  • Recipient - ThreeBestRated - Accounting Firms (Red Deer) - 2018
  • Recipient – Red Deer Reader’s Choice Awards – Best Accounting Firm – Bronze, 2017
  • Recipient - ThreeBestRated - Accounting Firms (Red Deer) - 2017
  • Recipient – Red Deer Reader’s Choice Awards – Best Accounting Firm – Gold, 2016
  • Recipient – Alberta Venture Magazine, Fast Growth 50 List, 2016
  • Recipient - ThreeBestRated - Accounting Firms (Red Deer) - 2016
  • Recipient – Red Deer Reader’s Choice Awards – Best Accounting Firm – Gold, 2015
  • Recipient – Red Deer Reader’s Choice Awards – Best Accounting Firm – Gold, 2014
  • Recipient – Red Deer Reader’s Choice Awards – Best Accounting Firm – Gold, 2013

Speaking Engagements and Presentations

  • Panel - May 2019 - Standing Senate Committee on National Finance - Ottawa
  • Co-Presenter - Oct 2018 - Income Spinking: Navigating the tax on split income changes - Red Deer
  • Moderator – May 2018 Canadian Tax Foundation Prairie Provinces Tax Conference – Saskatoon
  • Master of Ceremonies – Feb 2018 Canadian Association of Farm Advisors Farm Management Update – Red Deer
  • Presenter - Oct 2017 - Discussion on proposed changes to Income Tax Act - Red Deer 
  • Presenter – Jan 2017 – Introduction to Tax Planning – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Oct 2014 – GST in the Home, Century 21 Advantage – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Jan 2012 – To Corp or Not To Corp, Red Deer Chamber of Commerce – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Mar 2011 – Tax Issues with Medical Expenses, Crohn’s & Colitis Canada – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Mar 2011 – Personal Tax Deductions for D---- Manikins, Red Deer Chamber of Commerce – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Oct 2010 – Tax Tips & Traps for Brokers, Mortgage Intelligence - Red Deer
  • Presenter – Feb 2010 – Estate Planning - Helping Your Legacy Live On™, World Financial Group, Red Deer
  • Presenter – Jan 2010 – Tax Planning vs Tax Preparing, Red Deer Chamber of Commerce – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Jul 2009 – Employee vs Subcontractor, Heywood Holmes & Partners LLP – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Jun 2009 – Helping you Understand the Difference Between Tax and Taxi, Heywood Holmes & Partners LLP – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Mar 2009 – The Corporate Student Loan, Downtown Rotary Club – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Mar 2009 – Introduction to Trusts, TD Canada Trust – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Feb 2009 – Structuring Your Estate on a Tax Effective Basis, World Financial Group – Red Deer
  • Co-Presenter – Feb 2008 – Enhanced Dividend Taxes – Get a “GRIP”, PKF North American Network, Mississauga
  • Presenter – Dec 2007 – Relate, Connected, Affiliated, Associated – What’s the Difference?, Heywood Holmes & Partners LLP – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Sep 2007 – Employee vs Contractor, Red Deer Chamber of Commerce – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Jul 2007 – How to get a GRIP on Eligible Dividends, Heywood Holmes & Partners LLP – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Apr 2007 – Update - Make Your Will, Your Way, World Financial Group – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Apr 2007 – Personal vs Corporate Tax Rates, TD Canada Trust – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Feb 2007 – Personal vs Corporate Tax Rates, Red Deer Chamber of Commerce – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Oct 2006 – Make Your Will, Your Way, World Financial Group – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Apr 2006 – How to Practice Safe Tax, Sunrise Rotary Club – Red Deer
  • Co-Presenter – Dec 2005 – The Reality of Realty, Re/max – Lacombe
  • Co-Presenter – Feb 2005 – The Reality of Realty, Century 21 Advantage – Red Deer
  • Presenter – Jan 2005 – Make Your Will, Your Way, World Financial Group – Red Deer

Publications

In the News

  • Cory Litzenberger is a guest on Global News Radio's Charles Adler Tonight to discuss inflation issues and the 2021 election, Aug 19, 2021
  • Cory Litzenberger is referenced on TaxTips.ca - Canadian Tax and Financial Information under the heading of "CERB Repayments", Dec 23, 2020
  • Cory Litzenberger is a guest on Global News Radio's Charles Adler Tonight to discuss small businesses dealing with CERB repayment, Dec 14, 2020
  • Cory Litzenberger is a guest on Global News Radio's Charles Adler Tonight to speak about his article "What Keeps Me Up at Night" and the impact of COVID19 on small businesses, Dec 1, 2020
  • Cory Litzenberger is quoted and referenced in a paper and presentation entitled "Tax On Split Income", John Oakey, Catherine Rau, Matthew Baker, Brianne Cabanayan, and Bud Arnold, Sep 22, 2020, Canadian Tax Foundation - The Definitive Guide to Owner-Manager Taxation - a Virtual Conference
  • Cory Litzenberger is referenced in a Commentary by Hugh Neilson, FCPA, FCA, TEP entitled "Understanding the Canadian EI Work Sharing Program: The Other Wage Subsidy", on Covid-19 Continuity - Supporting Business Leaders, Mar 30, 2020
  • Cory Litzenberger is a guest on Global News Radio's COVID-19 Special hosted by Charles Adler to speak about announcements on Employment Insurance measures, Mar 28, 2020
  • Cory Litzenberger is referenced by Moodys Tax's Commentary "Canada passes COVID-19 Economic Response Plan Into Law – Moodys’ Tax Take", Mar 25, 2020
  • Cory Litzenberger is a guest on Global News Radio's COVID-19 Special hosted by Charles Adler to speak about announcements on tax and small business measures, Mar 21, 2020
  • Cory Litzenberger is referenced by Moodys Tax's Commentary "Our 'Tax Take' on Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan", Mar 20, 2020
  • Cory Litzenberger is a guest on Global News Radio's Charles Adler Tonight to speak about the Federal Throne Speech and discuss who are the Canadian Middle Class?, Dec 6, 2019
  • Cory Litzenberger is a guest on Global News Radio's Charles Adler Tonight to speak about the $12M Federal Liberal Government announcement to assist Loblaws, Apr 9, 2019
  • Cory Litzenberger is quoted in an article "Make TOSI less Taxing for your business-owner client" in Advisor's Edge Magazine, Mar 25, 2019
  • Cory Litzenberger is a guest on Global News Radio's Charles Adler Tonight to speak about his Linkedin Article: "Just the Facts Ma'am" on the SNC Lavalin affair, Mar 7, 2019
  • Cory Litzenberger is a guest on NewsTalk770 CHQR interviewed by Zack Hewitt for the Rob Breakenridge Show to speak about his Linkedin Article: "Just the Facts Ma'am" on the SNC Lavalin affair, Mar 7, 2019
  • Cory Litzenberger's commentary on a news story entitled "Judge Blocks Keystone XL Expansion" is showcased by LinkedIn editors, Nov 9, 2018, LinkedIn 
  • Cory Litzenberger's podcast is referenced in an article entitled "Is Income Splitting Dead?", Nov 8, 2018, Moodys Gartner Tax Law 
  • Cory Litzenberger is quoted in a presentation entitled "Private Business Tax Proposals", Oct 1, 2018, CPA Canada - The ONE Conference 2018
  • Cory Litzenberger is quoted in an article entitled “The Tax Burden On Golf Could Use Some Rule Changes”, May 28, 2018, Inside Golf
  • Cory Litzenberger is quoted in an article called “Liberal Tax Plan Reads like Class Warfare Manifesto”, Oct 16, 2017, Rebel Media
  • Cory Litzenberger is referenced in “Photos of the Day” at a Town Hall Meeting in Blackfalds, Sep 13, 2017, Red Deer Advocate
  • Cory Litzenberger is quoted in an article entitled “3 Local Companies Among Fastest Growing” Jan 5, 2016, Red Deer Advocate
  • Cory Litzenberger is interviewed for an article “Ask a CEO; Advice for Managing Growth - Q&A: Five with Cory Litzenberger”, Alberta Venture Magazine, Jan 2016
  • Cory Litzenberger is mentioned in the article “Chamber Board Changes”, Red Deer Advocate, September 23, 2010
  • Cory Litzenberger is interviewed about the 2009 Federal Budget, CHCA News, Jan 28, 2009
  • Cory Litzenberger is interviewed about the 2008 Federal Budget, CHCA News, Feb 27, 2008
  • Cory Litzenberger is interviewed about the 2007 Federal Budget, RDTV News, Mar 20, 2007

Non-professional affiliations 

  • Former Governor – Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), 2019-2021
  • Past Director - Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, 2009-2011 
  • Past Director, Past Treasurer - Red Deer Chapter of Crohn's and Colitis Canada, 2011
  • Past Director - Red Deer LEADS Executive Association, 2008
  • Past Director, Past Treasurer - Central Alberta Minor Football Association (subsequently renamed: Red Deer Minor Football), 2006
  • Past Director, Past Treasurer - Rotary Club of Red Deer (a.k.a. Rotary Downtown Club), 2011
  • Member - Canadian Federation of Independent Business
  • Member - Red Deer Chamber of Commerce
  • Past Member - Red Deer Construction Association