I help business owners structure life insurance strategies that work alongside their tax plan — built on 25 years as a CPA who's seen what most advisors miss.
Michael spent 25 years as a Chartered Accountant — at PwC, MNP, and as a partner at Burns Valkenburg & Associates — working directly with owner-managed businesses across Canada. He's been on the front line of every major tax change, including the 2016 Federal Budget that sent CRA audit activity surging with a $500M budget increase. He knows what those changes mean for business owners, and he knows what falls through the cracks.
In 2018, Michael founded Baker Wealth in Medicine Hat, Alberta — bringing his CPA lens to the insurance industry. His view: life insurance is one of the most powerful assets available to Canadian business owners, and its living benefits are badly misunderstood. The math is simple — many business owners spend up to 30% of disposable income on interest and 30% on taxes. Significantly moving those numbers changes everything.
"If you can control the financial environment that you operate in, it will be the most profitable thing that you can do. Most people focus on squeezing a bit more return on the less than 10% they save. We focus on the other 60%."
At Dundas Wealth, Michael works with business owners to structure life insurance strategies that coordinate with their tax plan — from corporate-owned policies and capital dividend accounts to estate preservation and living benefits. He brings the kind of depth that only 25 years inside Canadian business taxation can provide.
Outside of work, Michael is a 7-time Ironman triathlete, father of triplets, and a longtime football coach in Medicine Hat.
Every Dundas Wealth advisor covers specific ground. Here's Michael's lane.
COLI structuring, capital dividend account planning, and tax-sheltered cash value strategies for incorporated business owners.
Funding partner buyouts and shareholder transitions with insurance, structured to survive disability, death, or a forced exit.
Estate equalization, legacy preservation, and tax-efficient wealth transfer — coordinated with your lawyer and accountant.
Protecting the people whose absence would hurt your business — founders, key execs, critical sales talent. Fast placements when financing rounds demand it.
Insured retirement programs (IRPs), immediate financing arrangements (IFAs), and multi-year planning grounded in the Canadian Income Tax Act.
Proven strategies we've used to help business owners save six figures, protect their estates, and secure tax-free retirement income.
See how we helped an independent consultant structure a permanent life insurance policy within his corporation, enabling him to continue building wealth without affecting his passive income limit.
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After a sudden health crisis, we implemented a "Triple Play Strategy," combining corporate-owned life insurance, a holding company, & family trust to secure a business owner's company, retirement, & family's future.
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We recently helped a business owner protect his 7-figure portfolio from high taxes upon his death. He secured immediate business capital, cleared debts tax-free, and passed wealth to his family without selling any assets.
Read Full Article →Book a free 15-minute strategy call. We'll review your current coverage, flag any gaps, and tell you honestly whether there's something worth fixing.
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