CARL ACHKAR, CIM, FCSI, Portfolio Manager, Senior Investment Advisor, iA Private Wealth, Oakville / Mississauga, ON
- CARMEN MORGAN
- Oct 3
- 4 min read
CARL ACHKAR
"Leadership isn't about arriving, it's about showing up, every single day, ready to go to battle for the people who depend on you"
Carl Achkar manages over $150 million in assets as a portfolio manager at iA Private Wealth in Oakville/Mississauga, Ontario, but the journey to this success was forged in uncomfortable places.
When he was a student at university in Montreal, Carl took a part-time job at a wealth management firm, often outperforming full-time working colleagues in his 16-hour work week. He developed an extreme method to stay focused. "I was the only one in the office working without a chair," he says. "Every time I'd book a potential meeting, my reward was the chair. My second reward would be to take a bathroom break. My third reward would be to go for a walk." He hung photos of the life he wanted to build from his cubicle walls. That willingness to embrace discomfort has defined Carl's approach to both his career and his client relationships.
Carl's drive for success and helping others achieve financial success has deep roots. "I spent my formative years in Lebanon, during the civil war,” he says. "I was forced to become independent at a young age.” At 13, Carl worked small jobs to afford the basics for a teenager: movie tickets with friends, or a pair of Nikes. "I went to a very high-end school and was surrounded by well-off kids, however I was not financially comfortable," he recalls. "That’s when I started to find creative ideas to become an entrepreneur.” Though he doesn’t need to, Carl still works 12-hour days.
Since joining iA Private Wealth in 2009 and becoming a Portfolio Manager in 2018, Carl has built his practice on a foundation that extends far beyond investment returns. While many Advisors focus solely on portfolio performance, Carl surrounds his clients with a team of tax accountants, estate lawyers, mortgage specialists, and insurance experts to address every aspect of their financial lives.
"A lot of Advisors tend to only focus on investments in our industry,” Carl says. "I like to put emphasis on cash flow planning, income planning, retirement planning, estate planning, and tax planning."
He refers his clients to his accountant for tax filing, to his lawyer for will preparation. He always adds a personal touch during good times and difficult ones. "I don’t ever want my clients to feel like they are just a number in my book," he explains. "Whether a client has $15 million or $200,000, we schedule clients portfolio reviews based on alphabetical order and not on market value." He sends every client a weekly email with market updates and relevant articles and conducts several portfolio reviews per year. He is present when clients need him most, which is usually during market downturns.
Where Carl truly differentiates himself is during market turbulence. When markets dropped earlier this year, Carl already had a plan in place, using the market drop as opportunity. When the market recovered, his portfolios benefited.
In 2025, Carl received two prestigious honours: the Wealth Professionals of Canada Award and the Global Recognition Award for leadership and innovation. They are recognition for his leadership, portfolio management, credentials and innovation in the industry.
However, Carl isn't resting on these achievements. He is building his team, training new Advisors, and continuing to refine his approach. He continuously works long days, driven by the same hunger that made him stand without a chair two decades ago. Despite the stage of his career, Carl still puts in the hours of a young and energetic entrepreneur. He is the first one into the office, setting an example for his team of associates, training them to build their own practices.
"I believe there is a difference between being a king and being a general," Carl says. "If you look at history, most of the time, you never see a general overthrown by his people, but a King often is because he is usually not connected to his people. The general is the person that is on the ground and goes to battle with his soldiers. He is always there, even though he doesn't need to be."
Carl believes that this career choice is a school of life. "It will really show you what you are made of,” he says. "Success is feeling that you have a purpose of making a difference in people's lives and obtaining financial freedom." He measures his impact by longevity and loyalty of his client relationships. Some have been with him for 15 years, walking through different life stages together.
At 43 and engaged to be married, the office chair has long been earned, but the drive to push into uncomfortable places remains. “Leadership isn't about arriving, it’s about showing up, every single day, ready to go to battle for the people who depend on you.”
Carl Achkar, CIM®, FCSI®
Portfolio Manager
Senior Investment Advisor
Mangrove Wealth Group
iA Private Wealth2655
North Sheridan Way, Unit 285
Mississauga, ON L5K 2P8
Direct: 289-2913326
Carmen Morgan is a skilled business writer and storyteller, collaborating with business owners and executives to tell their stories and share perspectives on growth and success, as well as perseverance and adversity. Over two decades she has refined her interview, writing and editing skills to capture the nuggets and captivating details that engage readers and make a story memorable.