This month, we chatted with CMRRA’S Controller, Ingrid Crozier. Learn about her work at CMRRA, how her accounting background led to working in the music industry, and her love for live events!
Can you tell me more about what it means to work as the Controller at CMRRA?
Being the Controller means I oversee all financial processes performed at CMRRA; from our financial reporting, to our royalty distributions, to our annual audits, and everything else finance/accounting-related in between.
What lead you to work in the music industry given your accounting background?
The short answer is I tried really hard to make it happen! From my first co-op placement at a big 4 accounting firm, I was constantly talking to managers with entertainment and media clients, trying to get on those engagements. Over my time with the firm I built up a solid entertainment client portfolio – working with CARAS/The JUNO Awards was one of my favourite engagements. Since leaving audit, I’ve continued to work at entertainment/media companies in finance roles as a perfect way to combine my affinity for numbers with my love for the industry.
What do you love the most about working in the music industry?
It’s an incredibly dynamic and exciting industry. I love working at CMRRA and having direct involvement in getting songwriters the royalties they’ve earned for their art, especially in times like this when many other revenue streams have been severely impacted by the pandemic.
You have experience volunteering at live events like the Polaris Music Prize and Canadian Music Week. What have your experiences been at these events and how do you feel they will continue to evolve, given the uncertainty to of the pandemic?
Volunteering at those events is a great way to interact with people from different areas of the industry. Being surrounded by so many creative and talented people is inspiring, and by volunteering you’re personally contributing to the Canadian music scene. It also doesn’t hurt that you get to enjoy some fantastic live music on the job. I’m really hoping we can get back to these events soon – I appreciate the immense effort that has gone into making some of these events virtual, but nothing compares to that in-person feeling!
Other than CMRRA, how do you spend your free time?
You have a great chance of finding me at a concert or a Blue Jays game. I love living in a city with such a diverse variety of concert venues, whether you’re at the massive Rogers Centre or in the back room of a local bar. I’ve also been a big Jays fan my entire life, so typically my time at the Rogers Centre is spent cheering on our boys. Fingers crossed I’ll be able to attend more of both this year!
Thinking about becoming a client of CMRRA? Already a client but you have questions? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll get you the answers you need.
