Dan McKerrall, CPA helps public sector leaders, nonprofits, and family-owned businesses build financial sustainability so they can make better decisions, strengthen stewardship, and plan with confidence. His work spans financial sustainability strategy, finance modernization, and fractional finance leadership, with a consistent emphasis on practical execution in governance-driven environments.
Dan brings 25 years of experience across Ontario’s broader public sector, including senior finance leadership at Sheridan College where he oversaw a $400M operating and $200M capital budget. In that role, he led modernization initiatives that improved forecasting and board reporting, strengthened internal controls to support clean audits, and replaced paper-based workflows with automated systems across budgeting and expense processes.
He has also held operational and planning leadership roles at Mohawk College and the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, where he developed a strong track record navigating complex stakeholder environments, building business cases, and driving long-term planning decisions under public accountability.
Today, through McKerrall Strategy, Dan supports clients across Ontario—including St. Lawrence College (interim CFO leadership through significant change), Colleges Ontario (funding model and program costing work), and the Region of Waterloo (budget systems review and reporting modernization roadmap). He’s known for plain-language communication with selective technical depth—turning complex financial realities into decision-ready narratives and practical roadmaps leaders can act on.
Experience / Projects / Accomplishments
- 25 years of professional public sector experience, including 22 years in leadership roles. Includes 8 years in finance leadership roles and 15+ years in operations roles.
- Recent consulting experience includes:
- Lead consultant at Colleges Ontario responsible for the funding model review to address financial sustainability challenges at Ontario colleges.
- Interim CFO and now Strategic Advisor at St. Lawrence College, supporting them through significant financial challenges and staffing transitions.
- Lead consultant at Region of Waterloo assessing their budget software system needs and creating a roadmap to improve.
- Lead consultant with an Ontario college student association, providing cost reduction recommendations to deal with financial challenges from reduced international enrolment.
- Fractional CFO at family owned small business with over 75 years of success serving customers but now facing cash flow challenges.
- Lead accountant / bookkeeper for $40 million real estate partnership involving complex ownership structure and accounting requirements.
- Supporting consultant for Ontario postsecondary institution review of budget processes and IT systems.
- Prior relevant professional accomplishments include:
- Leading a $400 million operating and $200 million capital budget at Sheridan College.
- Implemented new systems and processes including budget, expense management, cash flow forecasting, investment policies, international payment platforms, procure-to-pay cycle improvements, accounts receivables improvements.
- Designed and implemented new future focused staffing structure.
- Well regarded for clarity and value of executive and board reporting.
- Led development of Academic Plan, a strategic vision for the future of academic programs at Mohawk College.
- Led review of Continuing Education business model.
- Led quality assurance function and successful external audit.
- Education and professional development includes:
- AI Finance Club: AI for CFOs and Finance Leaders
- CPA Ontario professional development in digital transformation, generative AI, ethics and professional education
- Corporate Finance Institute coursework in portfolio management and capital assets.
- Chartered Professional Accountant
- Honour’s Bachelor of Mathematics.
McKerrall Strategy 