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Stephen Aldersley

School of Accounting and Finance Fellowship Honourees

Stephen J. Aldersley, PhD, FCA

After graduating from the University of Waterloo with a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Steve joined Ernst & Young’s predecessor firm, Clarkson Gordon, in September 1978 as a staff accountant in the audit practice in Toronto. He was promoted to audit manager in 1982 and to partner in 1985. He spent four years in Clarkson Gordon’s National office from 1984 to 1987, returning to the Toronto audit practice as an audit engagement partner.


Steve transferred to the Kitchener office as an audit partner in 1992, and returned to the Toronto Office in 2001 to lead the Financial Services audit practice. He subsequently became the financial services leader for Canada. Steve joined Ernst & Young’s Americas Executive Board in January 2002.


During his career with Ernst & Young, Steve actively participated in the academic accounting community through various symposia, conferences, articles and other presentations. He has served on the editorial boards of Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory and Canadian Accounting Perspectives. Steve also served as Vice-Chair from Practice on the executive of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association from 1991 – 1993.


Steve has been active in the community as a board member and treasurer of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. He is also a member of the University of Waterloo Accounting Alumni Association, and has served on its Executive. He is currently a member of the School’s Capital Campaign Committee.


Steve’s hobbies include tennis, music and photography. He is married to Vera, who is also a University of Waterloo graduate. They live in Waterloo and have two children, James and Jennifer.

2004 Fellow: Stephanie Gates