Nathaniel Paquin, senior tax specialist at Airbus Canada, has built a career that spans government audit work and client service in public practice, but the in-house environment, he says, best fits his temperament and his skill set.
The Government Side
Paquin’s professional path began more than a decade ago, while he was still in school. Like many accounting students in Canada, he initially assumed that a Big Four firm would be his entry point. “I think I counted on, at first, going into a Big Four,” he recalls. “But my first career opportunity ended up being with Revenu Québec.”
At the provincial taxing authority, Paquin spent roughly three years as an auditor working with corporate taxpayers. The role gave him early exposure to how tax issues look from the government’s side of the table. It was there that his interest in tax solidified, enough that he decided to pursue graduate study while continuing to work full time.
Paquin enrolled in a part-time master’s program in taxation through HEC Montréal, a commitment that stretched over three demanding years. Balancing full-time work and graduate coursework was not easy, but the experience solidified his technical grounding and clarified his long-term direction. “I knew I wanted to be a CPA,” he says, and the master’s program helped confirm that tax would be his focus rather than a stepping stone.
Going Public
After completing his time at Revenu Québec, Paquin made a deliberate move into public practice, joining a regional accounting firm to experience tax from the client’s perspective. “It was an opportunity to go on the other side,” he says. The firm handled both corporate and personal tax matters, and Paquin quickly became its in-house tax specialist.
Those years coincided with the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by rapid policy changes and unprecedented government programs. “We went from just normal tax returns to having a lot of questions about things that didn’t exist before,” he says.
The work was challenging, but also deeply practical. “We were in direct contact with the clients to really help them with their business go through those tough times,” he says.
Still, Paquin felt the limitations of being at a smaller firm. He wanted exposure to more complex structures and the international landscape. That led him to his first in-house role at Sollio Groupe Coopératif, a large Canadian agricultural company. “That was an opportunity for me to grow and to apply what I learned with my master’s,” he says.
At Sollio, Paquin’s responsibilities expanded steadily. He began in a supporting role, assisting with tax returns, provisions, credits, and audits. Over time, he moved into a more senior position, culminating in a year-end that tested him professionally. “My boss left just before year-end when I was there, and I was all alone,” he recalls.
The situation forced Paquin to step up quickly. “I ended up managing almost every aspect,” he says, including coordinating auditors and working across multiple internal divisions. “It was quite challenging since it was my first time doing it alone, but it was quite a fun challenge at the same time.”
A New Home
By mid-2025, Paquin was content at Sollio and continuing to grow, but another opportunity emerged. A recruiter approached him about a role at Airbus Canada, and the timing aligned with changes in his personal life. “I bought a house last year,” he says, adding that the commute also played into his decision. “Before, it was ninety minutes, and now it’s twenty minutes. That’s quite a few minutes and hours in a week.”
The Airbus role also offered new professional dimensions, including international coordination and support for multiple Canadian affiliates. “There’s quite a bit more international activities here,” he says.
In his current role, Paquin supports Canadian tax matters while working closely with Airbus teams in Europe when cross-border issues arise. He also helps smaller Canadian affiliates that lack dedicated tax staff. The scope reinforces what he enjoys most about in-house tax work. “You actually still have clients,” he says. “It’s just the internal clients . . . . I don’t have to do a timesheet and bill everyone. I don’t miss that.”
An Unwitting Reunion
Paquin’s connection to TEI predates his formal membership, though he did not realize it at the time. While completing his master’s degree, he received a scholarship from TEI’s Montréal Chapter recognizing strong academic performance. “The first time I actually heard about TEI was when I was back in school,” he says.
Because the organization’s name appeared in French at the time he received the scholarship, the connection only clicked years later at a chapter event. “That was my introduction, even if I didn’t realize it.”
His involvement deepened after he joined Airbus Canada, where TEI participation is well established. Encouraged by his manager and drawn by the combination of professional education and peer exchange, Paquin became active in the Montréal Chapter. “It’s an opportunity to network and have events,” he says, noting the practical value of learning from others navigating similar in-house challenges.
Outside of work, Paquin embraces life in Québec. He skis frequently, enjoys movies and video games, and spends much of his free time with family and friends. As the oldest of five siblings, he is used to being the one people turn to, including when tax season rolls around—a different variety of working from home.
