According to Sandy Shanks, managing director, tax, at ConocoPhillips Canada, her initial path to a career in tax was twisted. “I started my studies at the University of Alberta in a physiotherapy program but then decided I wanted to pursue medicine,” she says. “So, I pulled out of physiotherapy to focus on all the prerequisites for medical school. It then occurred to me that if I didn’t get into medical school right away, what was I going to do with this science degree? I felt that I needed something more practical.”
She sought the advice of a close friend, who told her that with her skills in numbers and math she might consider accounting or finance. “I gave it a go, really enjoyed the coursework, and stuck with it,” she says. “Prior to graduating with a bachelor of commerce in accounting, I managed to get a co-op job with Deloitte in Edmonton, and then a summer student job with Deloitte in Calgary.”
Later, as a Deloitte employee, Shanks pursued the Canadian Chartered Accountant program while working in auditing at the firm. She also began exploring tax. “I did some time in the personal tax pool and had clients with small tax returns and thought, ‘Maybe I should give this a try,’” she recalls.
Shifting to In-house Tax
Shanks notes that during her tenure with Deloitte, most of her clients were in retail or research and development. “It was super interesting, and I worked with fantastic people,” she says. “I really enjoyed the academic environment of the firm and the chance to learn something new all day, every day.”
Yet, after nearly six years working in public accounting, she had an opportunity for an in-house tax role at ConocoPhillips and went for it. Nearly twenty-five years later, she has no regrets. “I know everyone says this, but it’s the people that make ConocoPhillips a fantastic company to work for,” she says. “Early on, I had some excellent managers in the tax function who really supported my development, promoted my career, and gave me challenging opportunities and projects. As a previous manager once told me, I ‘ran toward the light,’ taking on some assignments that others might not have found so glamorous.
“I liked that my efforts were intrinsic to the bottom line of the company. I could see my tax numbers or adjustments and descriptions flow into the financial statements and [being] considered in discussions at the executive level. It was rewarding to see that I could make my mark.”
Jumping Into the Waters at TEI
Shanks says she first heard about TEI from one of her ConocoPhillips managers about twenty years ago. “He told me that I should join and that he’d nominate me for membership,” she says. “From the start, I was taken in by the professional development programs and networking opportunities afforded by the chapter.”
Early on, Shanks joined the Calgary Chapter board and, eventually, became chapter president. “This was quite some time ago, and I think I might have been the youngest person to serve as president,” she recalls.
In 2021, Shanks joined the chapter’s Canadian Income Tax Committee. “My predecessor left the committee and suggested that I take his spot, a role that pretty much every Canadian business unit tax manager at ConocoPhillips has played for years,” she says.
“I’m fortunate to be with such an incredible group, and the work has been super fulfilling,” she says. “Our committee is addressing tax matters of importance to all of our members. There are a lot of great opportunities to engage with Department of Finance and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) officials as well as the excellent countrywide network of tax professionals in different companies and industries.”
Shanks says this ability to connect with other tax professionals may be the most valuable benefit of TEI membership. “Having a network of peers across the country and beyond that you can reach out to and talk to about common problems or issues is invaluable,” she says. “In Canada, especially, numerous CRA and Finance officials have told us that engagement with TEI and our members, with their variety of backgrounds and perspectives, is much more meaningful when compared to less diverse, more industry-specific groups.”
Life Outside the Tax World
Shanks notes that when she was growing up, her father was with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, requiring the family to move every few years. “Throughout my youth, I lived in places all over Western Canada,” she says. “For a time, we even lived in Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, which is only 250 miles from the Arctic Circle. I don’t know if I’ve picked up any unusual skills from these experiences, other than you get good at making new friends, that’s for sure.”
Yet, for most of her adult life, she has called the Calgary area home. “My husband and I have lived in and around the center of the city for over thirty years,” she says. “I’m an avid runner and have put on many miles along the Bow River pathways. My son, who is fourteen, plays competitive ice hockey, so we spend a lot of time at the rink and watching his games. And we’re definitely Calgary Flames fans.”
She adds that the family loves to travel. “We try to plan a fun excursion every year. This past spring, we went to Italy. Before that, we’ve taken great trips to diverse destinations, including New York City, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. We’re big into exploring the outdoors, whether it’s mountain biking nearby or surfing where there are waves and warm beaches, and taking on adventures together,” she says.
