Richard Sherry

Richard Sherry is building The Bookkeeping Department into a reliable team member for hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses.

His love of learning meant always enjoying school, especially mathematics. This led to Engineering at Ottawa's Carleton University. The then-unique 'common core' program grounded Richard in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering basics. In year four he specialized to become an electrical engineer.

Half way through the four-year degree program he took a drive through United States of about 20,000 km. through 30 states. He re-entered Canada in British Columbia and turned right, planning to return to Ottawa to start 3rd year. But upon reaching Calgary a short visit with friends led to a yearlong hiatus from school and the discovery of a new home. But that would have to wait.

Employment opportunities were abundant for newly-hatched electrical engineers, but Richard felt compelled to stay in school. Accepted into the first cohort of a newly-minted co-op Masters degree program, two years and two work terms later he graduated. Soon he began his engineering career with a high-flying telephone systems manufacturer.

Richard worked in R & D and manufacturing over four years. He discovered a love of manufacturing systems. His natural aptitude in developing systems stays with him today while building the business of The Bookkeeping Department.

But Calgary was calling. A new job opportunity in the then-emerging mobile phone business was the vehicle to return 'home.' Three years there and his time working as an engineer was done.

To delay making the decision about what was next, Richard chose to travel the world for about a year. He visited many Asian and Middle-Eastern countries, a few European ones, and explored parts of England and Scotland. He decided he wanted to get paid to travel, rather than to pay to do it. He decided to become a teacher.

A two-year stint at the University of Calgary and three years experience teaching math and science in a Calgary public high school readied him. Though initially targeting Japan, he ended up in Ecuador for four years. Learning Spanish and visiting Latin countries were two of many benefits he got during those years.

Afterwards he returned to Calgary, teaching for eight more years to round out his teaching career. He must love Calgary. He has moved here four times since 1976.

It was business that lured him away from teaching. Starting his own company in 2009 he marketed various financial and investment products. Providing a great customer experience through education and support was always his priority.

Then he met Minda. They clicked fast and were married within a year, in 2013. Richard dragged her to Calgary where she began The Bookkeeping Department immediately after returning from their Paris honeymoon. Time for business!

Sadly, Minda lost her battle with breast cancer in 2017. She is sorely missed by many, especially Richard. She gave him much, including a love of the bookkeeping business.

His hobbies include motorcycling, dancing and skiing. In fact, he has toured on three different Gold Wing motorcycles across Canada and the United States, and on a BMW motorcycle in Mexico. He can't wait to get his next Beemer.