Who We Are

Alma Johns founded Bench Capital+ Advisory in 2014. She manages M&A transactions and creatively structures financing proposals for various companies in the manufacturing, aerospace, biotech, medical device, food distribution, and telecommunications sectors.

As corporate banker at MUFG, she managed the accounts for multinational corporations and significantly increased the bank’s loan portfolio during her tenure. Most recently, she managed a total of $1.6 billion in credit facilities at RBC Royal Bank and mentored commercial markets managers on credit structures.

Alma has over 20 years of experience and a proven track record in evaluating businesses for institutional funding. She has published numerous articles on M&A, private equity, senior debt, management buyout, business strategy and infrastructure in PROFIT Guide, Canadian Business and Canadian Metalworking. Her passion is to help successful business owners maximize their valuation at “exit” and help ambitious entrepreneurs access capital to grow their businesses.

Frank is the Managing Partner of Fazzari + Partners LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants and he oversees the Firm’s Forensic Accounting department. With almost 30 years of experience, Frank gained his designation in 1988, obtained his Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation in 2011, and was awarded Fellow in 2013, which is granted to CPA’s/CA’s who have rendered exceptional achievements and service. Over his extensive career, Frank has developed a wealth of experience working with various clients in various industries and businesses including real estate, construction, manufacturing, distribution and many others. Most of his time has been assisting entrepreneurs with their private enterprises but he has spent much of his career also assisting charitable organizations. Frank is a trusted and relied upon advisor to many private and non for profit enterprises.

Frank has published many articles in various journals including the Globe and Mail. Also, Frank has testified and/or provided expert opinion reports for various litigation matters.

A priority of Frank’s is contributing to the community. He currently sits as a Board Member of Humber River Hospital and the Vice Chair of Finance of HRH. In addition he was on the Building Committee of HRH which oversaw the designing, financing and building of a new 1.7m square foot Hospital. Frank also is on the Advisory Board of the Vaughan International Commercialization Centre (VICC), and is a founding member of the York Region Cycling Coalition. In his personal time, Frank is a focused runner, avid golfer, and passionate cyclist.

Jack Massarelli is a Partner at Fazzari + Partners LLP. With more than 25 years of experience, Jack gained his designation in 1986 and joined Fazzari + Partners LLP in 1994. Over his long career, Jack has developed significant experience in assurance and audit with both public and private organizations, Notice to Reader engagements, and tax planning across the travel, manufacturing, not-for-profit, construction, and service sectors.

Outside Fazzari + Partners LLP, Jack is a talented pianist and seasoned soccer player, the latter of which he has integrated deeply into life outside the firm, coaching at the Kleinburg Soccer Club for 8 years and the Woodbridge Soccer Club for the past 8 years.

Joe is a Partner in our Tax Group. He joined Fazzari + Partners LLP in 2014 and established himself as a valuable member of the team. He qualified for his CPA, CA designation in 2017 and transitioned to Partner in 2021. Joe completed CPA Canada’s In-Depth Tax Course (Levels I, II and III) in 2019 and obtained a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Canada.

Joe is the lead on tax articles published by our firm to keep clients up to date on the latest tax issues and has also contributed to publications by the Canadian Tax Foundation. Joe has also participated as a panelist on various tax seminars including the Fazzari + Partners LLP annual tax update offered to CPA’s in our area and the City of Toronto Covid Stimulus Advisory Committee Accountant Panel.

Joe is a trusted advisor and has developed significant expertise in the field of taxation, with an emphasis on private enterprises. Joe advises clients in a variety of industries on:

• Tax planning and compliance for owner-managed businesses
• Corporate reorganizations
• Trust structures
• Estate and succession planning
• Tax dispute resolution
• Tax planning for separation or divorce
• Indirect tax planning and compliance
• Due diligence and mergers and acquisitions

Carlo Viola is a Partner at Fazzari + Partners LLP and Chair of the firm’s Valuations Committee. With more than 25 years of experience, Carlo gained his designation in 1997 and joined Fazzari + Partners LLP in 2010. Over his extensive career, Carlo has developed a deep expertise in the areas of business valuations and accounting services to clients in the manufacturing, construction, and not-for-profit sectors, as well as to individuals.

Outside Fazzari + Partners LLP, Carlo is an active member of his community, contributing to charities such as Wounded Warriors Canada and ADAPT. In his personal life, Carlo is an amateur winemaker and passionate athlete, coaching baseball and playing ball-hockey. In everything, Carlo follows the creed: It’s a great day for value and success.