Investing in Our People and Our Future
At HW Partners, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re proud to share an important milestone for our firm: the appointment of Celine Fu, CPA, CA, and Robin Lawrence, CPA, CA, to the HW Partners partnership.
Celine and Robin both began their careers with us as co‑op students and have grown alongside the firm over the years, most recently serving as Senior Assurance Managers. Their journeys reflect what we value most at HW Partners—continuous learning, collaboration, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients.
As part of our ongoing focus on developing future leaders, we recently reinforced this commitment by sponsoring the Sprott School of Business Employability Passport program, supporting students as they prepare to enter the professional workforce.
Celine Fu, CPA, CA — Partner
Celine is a proud graduate of the University of Ottawa. She joined HW Partners as a co‑op student in 2016 and became a full‑time team member in 2017. In 2019, she earned her CPA, CA designation. Since then, Celine has worked closely with clients across a range of industries, providing thoughtful, detail‑oriented assurance and accounting support.
Beyond her client work, Celine is actively involved in the community and serves as Treasurer on the Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice Board of Directors.
“HW Partners has supported my professional growth at every stage since my co-op days in 2016, and I am grateful to the founders, Dan (Warren) and Ian (Hendry), and the current partnership for serving as exemplary role models. The firm’s collaborative culture taught me to learn with confidence and grow as a compassionate mentor and leader, and its commitment to professional excellence and community involvement enriched my career as a Chartered Accountant and broadened my perspective beyond technical work. I take pride in the meaningful impact we deliver to entrepreneurs and not-for-profit organizations through sound accounting and taxation advice, and I look forward to continuing this meaningful work in my new role as partner.”
Robin Lawrence, CPA, CA — Partner
Robin joined HW Partners as a co‑op student from the University of Waterloo in 2012 while completing her master’s in accounting. She joined the firm full‑time in 2014 and earned her CPA, CA designation in 2016. Since then, Robin has focused on assurance services and client support, working closely with a diverse range of clients across multiple sectors.
“From my first co-op term in 2012, HW Partners invested in my growth—supporting my master’s, guiding me through the UFE in 2014, and giving me the chance to learn from every partner. I chose HW because it doesn’t just serve Ottawa—it invests in it. The firm’s volunteerism, community involvement, and commitment to local entrepreneurs inspired me then, and continues to drive me now. Seeing female leadership thrive—role models like Nancy (Nicks) and Marie (Fraser) and more women joining the partnership table – affirmed that strong women shape our firm and our profession. On our assurance team, I work with entrepreneurs at every stage, turning accounting and tax into clear, practical insight so they can make confident decisions. I’m excited to step into the partnership today and help build a firm that leads with purpose and strengthens the Ottawa community.”
A People‑First Approach
Today, HW Partners is home to 11 partners, six of whom are female—a meaningful milestone that reflects our long‑standing commitment to supporting women in leadership and fostering an inclusive workplace where talent and dedication are recognized.
We’re proud of the collaborative, supportive culture we’ve built—one that values mentorship, inclusion, and continuous growth.
“We believe that investing in our people—both professionally and personally—is key to our success. Our approachable leadership, strong mentorship culture, and commitment to work life integration create an environment where employees feel supported, challenged, and empowered to thrive. Whether someone is starting their career or advancing into leadership, we’re dedicated to helping each team member achieve their goals while contributing meaningfully to our clients and community.”
— Krista MacDonald, CHRL, PCP, Director of People & Talent
Evolving With Intention
After more than two decades serving the Ottawa region as Hendry Warren LLP, we rebranded this past summer to HW Partners. This evolution reflects who we are today—a firm deeply committed to relationship‑driven service and forward‑thinking advice, delivered with the warmth, clarity, and professionalism our clients expect.
“As the eldest partner at the firm, I have seen many of our partners come up through the university co-op programs. Robin and Celine have added so much value to the Firm working with our staff on training and providing mentorship. They have developed into business professionals that I am proud to work with every day. We are thrilled that our mentorship program has resulted in many of our co-op students staying with the Firm long term to become leaders and mentors for future staff members. HW Partners is a dynamic and welcoming work environment where professionals can stay and grow.”
— Nancy Nicks, CPA, CA, Partner
Please join us in congratulating Celine and Robin as they step into this next chapter. We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished and excited for the leadership, mentorship, and insight they’ll continue to bring to our clients, our team, and our community.
HW Partners is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Sprott School of Business Employability Passport program. This partnership underscores the firm’s dedication to fostering the next generation of business leaders and strengthening the local Ottawa community.
The Sprott School of Business’s Employability Passport program is a key component of its undergraduate curriculum. It is designed to equip students with the essential professional skills and experiences needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market, from securing employment to meeting employer expectations and advancing in their careers.
“We are delighted to welcome HW Partners as a sponsor to our Employability Passport program. At Sprott, we equip our students with the tools and strategies to navigate a complex and everchanging business landscape. Through our delivery of innovative and flexible educational experiences, we encourage entrepreneurial mindsets. HW Partners exemplifies this philosophy by investing in our next generation of business leaders. Their support strengthens our shared commitment to shaping graduates who understand that success is measured through shared prosperity.”
– Howard Nemiroff, Dean, Sprott School of Business
This sponsorship is a natural extension of our firm’s deep connection to the Sprott School of Business. Many of HW Partners’ team members, partners, and leaders are proud Sprott alumni, and the firm has a long-standing relationship with the university through its co-op program. The initiative directly aligns with HW Partner’s core values of building lasting relationships and investing in the Ottawa community’s future.
The partnership reflects a shared philosophy that business education extends beyond the classroom and is greatly enhanced by the involvement of the local business community. By supporting the Employability Passport program, HW Partners is not only investing in the academic and professional development of students but also contributing to the economic vitality and future success of the Ottawa region.
HW Partners is Currently Recruiting University Co-Op Students
As a co-op student at HW Partners, you’ll gain hands-on experience in both accounting and tax, building the practical skills you need to launch a successful career. If you’re curious, capable, and ready to learn, we’d love to have you on our team. Please submit your cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcript in one application package via email.
Featured Article: Here are the 20 organizations named Best Places to Work in 2025
We are thrilled to share that HW Partners has been recognized as one of Ottawa’s Best Places to Work 2025 by the Ottawa Business Journal and the Ottawa Board of Trade.
This award is especially meaningful to us because it comes directly from the feedback of our team. Our people are the heart of HW Partners. Their expertise, dedication, and passion not only drive success for our clients, but also make our firm one of the top employers in Ottawa.
At HW Partners, we take pride in being more than just an accounting firm in Ottawa—we are a place where collaboration, professional growth, and employee well-being are valued every day. Creating an environment where our team can thrive has always been, and will continue to be, one of our highest priorities.
We are grateful to the Workforce Research Group, OBJ, and the Ottawa Board of Trade for this recognition. As we move forward, we remain committed to building on this achievement and continuing to make HW Partners one of the best places to work and grow a career in Ottawa.
