Imran Usmani, CPA, CA, CFA

Location
Calgary, Alberta

“For me, investing isn’t just a career. It’s a lens through which I view the world.” 

I was captivated by finance at a young age. Growing up, I watched my uncle—who was highly successful in the field—navigate the world of wealth with ease, and it left a lasting impression. Add to that, the allure of Hollywood movies like Wall Street, and I was hooked. But over the years, my definition of success has evolved. Today, it’s about doing work I love, alongside a team whose vision aligns with mine, and finding purpose in every challenge. Overall, playing a role in helping our clients achieve their investment objectives and having their trust is a motivating and inspiring purpose. 

My journey began with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance Specialization) and a BA (Honors) degree in Economics from Trinity College at the University of Toronto. Inspired by my uncle, I pursued accounting, knowing it would provide a strong foundation and a skillset that would always be in demand. I earned my CPA while articling at Ernst & Young and Grant Thornton, enjoying the structure and discipline of accounting before leaning into my true passion: finance. 

After I completed articling, I shifted to investment banking. While the fast-paced environment was exciting, it didn’t feel right. I found a better fit when I joined McLean & Partners (now CWB Wealth), where my team helped shape my philosophy: investing based on valuation and fundamentals. Still finding a foothold, I went on to work with QV Investors Inc. to explore a more quantitative approach. 

It didn’t take me long to realize I missed the more qualitative style of investing that was signature to McLean & Partners. Drawn to their deep dive into understanding businesses inside and out—a method I found more rewarding—I rejoined them two years after leaving. From an investing perspective, my unique experience shaped my philosophy of focusing on downside protection as well as the upside potential in investment opportunities. 

Today, as a member of the International Equities team at CWB Wealth, I specialize in evaluating global markets, analyzing businesses, and uncovering inefficiencies that others might miss. My approach is rooted in seeing value from a broad perspective—whether it’s cyclical trends, underappreciated growth, or quality overlooked by the market. 

As a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst, I’m also a proud member of both the CFA Institute and CPA Alberta.