Maria Severino is the tax industry leader of RSM US, leading the tax practice’s client experience efforts around industry, and the national tax leader of RSM Canada, setting the vision and direction of the Canadian tax practice.
Area of Focus
Maria Severino is the tax industry leader of RSM US, leading the tax practice’s client experience efforts around industry, and the national tax leader of RSM Canada, setting the vision and direction of the Canadian tax practice.
Maria became the tax industry leader of RSM US in 2022. She drives the collaborative effort focused on delivering technical knowledge, industry expertise and technology solutions that meet the needs of the middle market.
As the national tax leader at RSM Canada, Maria sets the vision and direction of the Canadian tax practice. She is a member of RSM Canada's leadership team as well as a member of the RSM US tax leadership team. Her collaborative and authentic leadership style has been instrumental in the tremendous growth and geographic expansion of the tax practice since becoming tax practice leader in 2017. Maria has also played an integral role in the launch of the Canada National Tax Centre and is focused on empowering and developing talent to deliver excellence through an unrivalled client experience.
With nearly three decades of extensive public practice experience, Maria has advised private, public and multinational corporations across a wide range of industries including financial services, industrials, technology and business services, in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations and international tax planning, along with estate, wealth preservation and succession planning. Her strategic tax advice and tax-solutions have proved integral in structuring many complex business transactions involving mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, as well as inbound and outbound investments and business expansions. She is sought after for her entrepreneurial and pragmatic approach, and her commitment to understanding a client’s business and objectives to achieve exceptional client outcomes.
Maria has led her team through innovation and transformation and is redefining the client experience through a rapidly evolving environment by using technology and the power of data to deliver services and insights in a more meaningful and compelling way.
Maria is committed to developing leaders across the organization, focused on the skills and key tax and industry expertise needed to become first-choice advisors sought after by the middle market. She is passionate about developing a dynamic tax team to help clients solve complex issues and support their success. She maintains a focus on both the client and talent experience and has made an impact at RSM by empowering her team to lead and achieve their own personal and professional success. Guided by her strong values, Maria paves the way for others to seize opportunities and develop to advance in their professional growth and strengthen the RSM legacy.
Diversity is a priority for Maria when it comes to recruiting and she is actively involved in the STAR employee network group to inspire the next generation of female leaders. She is also a member of RSM’s Inclusion Council, an executive-level CDI advisory board made up of executives who lead, advocate for, and monitor the firm’s strategic diversity and inclusion priorities. Her strong work ethic is a direct result of being a first generation Canadian and shaped by her upbringing and personal experiences. She recognizes the importance of family and has become a strong role model to women in leadership at the firm.
