Hemal Balsara is the Head of Tax, Retirement and Estate Planning Services, and he provides tax, retirement, estate and insurance planning support and consultation to advisors regarding complex cases in the affluent and business markets. He leads a team of professionals providing this type of support and consultation across the country.

Hemal joined Manulife Financial in 2011 after spending six years in the tax area of a national accounting firm where he researched and analyzed complicated technical tax issues including various tax structuring and estate planning issues, planning for owner manager situations and various corporate and personal tax issues. In addition, prior to specializing in tax, Hemal spent two years in the audit practice.

Hemal has contributed to various publications including the Canadian Tax Highlights, PwC’s Wealth and Tax Matters, the Canadian Taxation of Life Insurance, and other tax related publications. He has also been a keynote speaker at various industry conferences including STEP Canada’s National Conference, the CALU AGM, CALU Associates, Manulife’s Elite Conference and so on.

Hemal received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and graduated with high distinction. He has also obtained his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Hemal is a member of the CPA Canada, CPA Ontario, the Canadian Tax Foundation and the Estate Planning Council of Toronto, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Family Enterprise Exchange.