Robert Ford, CPA, CMA, AMCT

A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) and Accredited Municipal Clerk Treasurer (AMCT), Rob has over 40 years experience in both the public and private sectors. His continuing education has covered a wide range of topics in all fields of study, including the Ontario Tech University Masters Certificate in Public Sector Management.

Rob's career began in the manufacturing sector and after spending five years working in two different industries, he moved to the public sector in 1984, joining the Town of Ajax as the Accountant. Rob was promoted to a series of more senior positions within the Finance Department and was appointed as the Director of Finance/Treasurer in August 2003. In that role, he was responsible for Budgets & Accounting, Purchasing, Tax Billing & Collection, and Insurance & Risk Management. In January 2015, he was appointed as Chief Administrative Office (CAO) of the Town of Ajax, retiring from that position in September 2018. As CAO he reported directly to Mayor and Council and was responsible for the services delivered by the Town’s seven operating departments. Post retirement, Rob was an Interim Manager of Accounting from 2019 to 2023 at the Region of Durham, working part time for 3-4 months each year.

Throughout his 34 years in the municipal sector, he gained an appreciation and understanding of the operational, political and financial challenges and frustrations faced by all operating departments. This knowledge was acquired by working with, learning from and listening to staff at all levels in the front line departments. Relationship building is a key requirement of any senior leadership role, and providing training to staff directly is a key element of Rob's approach, particularly as it impacts short and long term strategic financial and corporate planning.

His finance training portfolio includes over 10 years with Ontario Tech University’s Masters Certificate in Public Sector Management, AMCTO Clerks Institute, Town of Ajax and City of Oshawa Council On-Boarding in 2018.

Rob’s volunteer work includes with the Oshawa Senior Citizen’s Centre as a Technology Tutor, at Lakreridge Health Oshawa as a Hospitality Guide and a member of the Finance Committee of the Mosiac Non-Profit Housing Corporation. He has also been a member of the City of Oshawa Property Standard Committee since 2018.