Individual Archives - Page 11 of 11 - Integrated Tax Services

Home
Our Services
- Estates & Trusts
- Personal Taxes
About Us
- Community & Events
- Careers
Resources
- Blog
- FAQs
- NetClient CS
Contact

Audit rates decline for 6th year in a row

by Integrated Tax Services | Apr 30, 2018 | Individual

(but don’t get complacent) IRS audit rates declined last year for the sixth year in a row and are at their lowest level since 2002, the agency reported. That’s good news for people who don’t like to be audited (which is everybody)! But don’t...

How to handle a gap in health care coverage

by Integrated Tax Services | Apr 30, 2018 | Individual

Health care coverage gaps happen. Whether because of job loss or an extended sabbatical between gigs, you may find yourself without health care for a period. Here are some tax consequences you should know about, as well as tips to fix a coverage gap. Coverage gap tax...

Managing money tips for couples

by Integrated Tax Services | Apr 30, 2018 | Individual

Spring is here and love is in the air. Or, it is as long as you aren’t arguing over money with your special someone. Couples consistently report finances as the leading cause of stress in their relationship. Here are a few tips to avoid conflict over finances...

New Year’s resolutions are for suckers – Do this instead

by Integrated Tax Services | Jan 4, 2018 | Individual

If you’re like most people, you’ve adopted a set of New Year’s resolutions for 2018. Things like losing weight, quitting smoking or drinking, saving a certain amount of money and finding a new job are among the most common resolutions. Also, if...

5 Tips for Smarter Banking

by Integrated Tax Services | Nov 28, 2017 | Individual

Banks are a necessary tool to navigate our daily financial lives. Unfortunately, there are aggravating practices at many banks that drive us crazy or cost us money. Here are five tips to get more out of your bank and pay less. Tip #1: Remove cash from the right place....

Next Entries »

Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Friday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

The materials and information presented on this website should not be considered as, or a substitute for, accounting, tax, financial, or legal advice.

Our Privacy Policy

Competitive Compensation and Benefits, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Flexibility, Recognition

Symbiosis, Mission & Vision, Core Values, Community, Inclusion

Development Opportunities, Career Development, Feedback & Coaching, Lifelong Learning

Strong Leadership, Work-Life Balance, Stylist, Modern Offices, Interest Alignment

Heidi M. Johnson Bixby, CFP^®

President/CEO

Heidi is the founder of Integrated Tax Services as well as the owner of Johnson Bixby, a financial planning firm in Vancouver. She is devoted to the Downtown Vancouver community and is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our clients through financial wellness. Heidi believes if we can raise the tide for one, we can raise it for all. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis in financial planning from Marylhurst University in Portland. Heidi began her career in financial planning in 1991, and achieved her Certified Financial Planner™ certification in 1997.

An active member of the community, Heidi has chaired or served on the boards of many nonprofits over the last 20 years. She currently serves as board Past Chair for Columbia Springs, and also as board Treasurer of Global Sojourns Giving Circle and H-RoC.

As world traveler and avid photographer, Heidi loves to document her adventures with her camera. Photography is the perfect creative outlet for her. As she says, “It’s a way to capture the spirit of the people we meet, the land and the culture and bring it back to be shared.” Her favorite travel destinations include Zimbabwe, Thailand, Peru, Belize, South Africa, and Scotland.

Randy Sprenger

Estate & Trust Manager

Randy has been preparing income tax returns since 1985 and moved to Washington from California in 1996. Some of the perks that Randy enjoys is the occasional public speaking and tax presentations. Randy spent many years working in the National and State Parks and Forests as a firefighter, interpreter, and law enforcement officer.

Randy’s favorite pastimes include traveling, reading, hockey, and the martial arts.

John Caton

CPA

John Caton is a graduate of the University of Portland and has been in public accounting since 1970. He started with one of the national firms and began his own practice in 1974. In 2011, he sold his ownership interest in Caton, Day & Co. CPAs, Inc and became Partner Emeritus in the successor firm of Day, Bacon, Smith & Co. PLLC where he worked on special projects. Not being interested in just retiring, John has been associated with the team since 2013 which allows him to pursue his interests in working with estates and dealing with other elder issues. He will also be assisting the firm during tax season.

John is very active in the community by serving on the Vancouver Planning Commission for 12 years and as Chairman for four years; Vancouver Charter Review Committee for all nine reviews since 1979 and Chair of two of them; Clark County Three Creeks Council; and currently serving his final term after nine years on the Vancouver Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission. He has been active in assisting non-profit organizations, such as the Jane Weber Evergreen Arboretum, and currently on the Board of Directors for Innovative Services Northwest and the Friends of the Elder Justice Center.

John has lived in Clark County for over 50 years and having traveled to most parts of the country, finds no better place to be. He has two sons that have gone into banking and public accounting. His personal interests include travel, reading science fiction, mysteries, and history, and spoiling his only granddaughter.

Jonathan Larson

Senior Tax Accountant

After spending the last three years traveling the world and teaching in China, Jonathan recently returned to the Pacific Northwest to work in accounting and bookkeeping.

With a degree in Psychology from Portland State University, he started his career in customer service, which led to roles in accounting. He loves that accounting tells a story. In his opinion, the more complex the numbers, the better the narrative.

Jonathan has visited all six habitable continents (yep, Antarctica is still on the list). And, despite being great with math, he can’t count all his cousins thanks to 14 aunts and uncles.

Megan Dixon

Director of Community Investments & Relationships

Megan has built her career around helping nonprofits raise the critical funds and resources necessary to do their good work. She thrives on working together in a team environment, helping ensure processes and procedures are efficient and effective to everyone. Her enthusiasm to grow and develop a team and community —making them better tomorrow than they are today—is one of the reasons she is perfect as our Director of Community Investments & Relationships.

Megan believes growing and developing are essential for all aspects of life, not just the office. Whether it be cultivating the growth mindset of her two children or tending the vegetables and flowers around her yard – growth is everywhere. When not in the garden, you may find her writing a poem, an art form near and dear to her heart. Not a big surprise considering she met her husband in a poetry class back in college.

Cynthia Boman Thompson, MS, CFP^®

Chief Financial Officer

Ask Cyndi what she loves about her job and the answer is simple: people and purpose. Her energy and enthusiasm for helping both team members and businesses grow and succeed is evident in her work over the last 25 years.

Before joining our team in 2020 as our CFO and COO, she held multiple finance and client relationship roles in a variety of industries – from recruiting to medicine to real estate. Don’t be surprised if you see her name pop up when researching items related to financial planning, investing, parenting or travel as she’s published articles in dozens of magazines through the years.

Cyndi currently serves as President of the Financial Planning Association of Oregon and SW Washington and is on the Board of Directors for the Portland chapter of Financial Executives International.
Make sure to swap your unique travel experiences with Cyndi. She has visited a musk ox farm in Alaska, cruised through Greenland and glided down the Nile in a felucca.
Cyndi’s preferred mode of transportation? Segways and riding ATVs!

Kristi Koebke

Chief Marketing Officer / Brand Strategist

Kristi believes in the power of story to connect us, move us, and transform lives. As our Chief Marketing Officer, she is a writer, brand and messaging strategist, and workshop facilitator with a knack for finding stories and creating pathways to help great ideas become remarkable experiences.

For 25 years, Kristi has worked in marketing for companies including Moda Health, Kaiser Permanente, Microsoft, Apple, Nike and others. She has more than 15 years’ experience in the financial services industry, working with clients from Registered Investment Advisor firms to larger brands such as Charles Schwab, Morgan Stanley and Prudential.

Kristi fell in love with the Pacific Northwest after moving here 21 years ago from Iowa. She received a bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism from Iowa State University and has a certificate in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
Outside of the office Kristi writes poetry and is an avid reader of non-fiction. She also enjoys hiking, cooking, baking, eating, drinking, and laughing.
In 2020, Kristi co-founded the Block Aid Project, a grassroots effort to care for – one block at a time – houseless neighbors who live on the streets of Portland. Once per month, the group makes, packages, and delivers food and basic supplies for some of the most vulnerable among us.

Rachel Gorretta

Marketing & Communications Director

Rachel is an optimistic realist helping promote the ITS brand in all the ways that matter—whether that be to existing clients, future clients, employees or community partners. A natural people person who gets an extrovert classification on every test she’s taken, she tackles each communication challenge that comes across her plate with grace and enthusiasm.

A lifelong communicator who had childhood dreams of becoming a news broadcaster, she spent her early career years in public relation and marketing roles. After more than a decade in corporate communications, she moved to a local creative agency in account services where she realized she had a passion for promoting brands for smaller businesses.

Away from the office, Rachel enjoys entertaining friends and family over a homecooked meal—especially ones that contain vegetables from her garden.

Although born and raised in Vancouver, Rachel spent her college years away, attending Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Her family consists of her husband, two daughters and a rescue pup named Tony.
Follow her garden progress on Instagram with the #GorrettaGarden

Juli Potts, SHRM-CP, PHR, CCP

Chief People Officer

Juli brings her enthusiasm for people and her vast experience in human resources to Integrated Tax Services, and our sister company, Johnson Bixby. She helps us recruit new talent, designs and implements key people strategy programs, all while making sure we stay a safe and compliant workplace.

A Pacific Northwest native, Juli is a mom of two, who went to school while raising her kids. She graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in Personnel Psychology and Human Resources Management. She also holds a minor in Psychology and has several human resource professional designations including Professional in Human Resources (PHR), SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and Certified Compensation Professional (CCP).

Depending on the season, you’ll find Juli enjoying any number of activities – hiking, kayaking, outdoor concerts, yard work or wine tasting.

Vivian Le Cousins

Senior Accountant

Vivian loves the art of untangling an accounting challenge. With a keen attention to detail and superior organization skills, she’s a natural fit to our team. Working in the accounting industry for more than a decade, Vivian previously worked as a financial consultant for a California based music start-up. In her role as Senior Accountant she supports Johnson Bixby and Integrated Tax Services with various finance related activities.

Vivian grew up in San Jose, California and graduated from San Jose State University with a dual concentration in Accounting and Finance.
Growing up, she had no idea finance was a destined career choice for the entire family. Today, her three siblings all work in financial related fields.
Vivian lives in West Linn with her husband, two children and two shih tzus, Zuki and Max.
Away from the office you can find her trying new restaurants, breweries or enjoying time on the water with the family wake boat.

Jim Scott

Facilities Maintenance Tech

Need something painted or furniture assembled? Don’t worry! Jim is on the job. Calm and resourceful, Jim is instrumental in keeping our building running smoothly. And best of all? He’s a delight to be around.

Prior to joining our team, Jim held a facilities position at a Portland bicycle shop. To say biking is a passion for Jim is an understatement. Whether a mountain trail or commuting to work – Jim prefers to cycle whenever and wherever he can.

When not fixing something or biking, you may find Jim relaxing with his cat, Lulu, or jamming to Kool & the Gang and KC & the Sunshine band (both performed at his high school graduation!).

Brigg Wolgamott

IT Support Specialist

Prior to joining our team, Brigg could be found on the walls of SW Washington coaching and guiding young rock climbers, helping them understand the technical aspects of the sport and encouraging them to take the next step.

In his role on our IT team, he offers the same support but for our team in responding to our IT woes and troubles. Brigg is quick to analyze, troubleshoot and evaluate any technology issue that comes across his plate. Like in the sport of rock climbing, the pathway isn’t always clear but if you have the desire to move forward – a route can be found to help you get to your goal.

Brigg is born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. He lived in Bozeman, MT during his college years.
Brigg will gladly hike, climb and camp wherever possible, actually preferring to sleep outside rather than inside.
Ask Brigg about what Libby is currently reading, that’s the online app he uses to listen to audiobooks.

Melanie Yeagley

Brand Specialist

With a kind demeanor, Melanie brings organization and social media prowess to our marketing and events team. She enjoys working in our collaborative environment and chose to go into marketing because the field struck a balance with both her creative and strategic abilities. Prior to working with us, she worked for a freelancer and a marketing firm.

A Vancouver native, Melanie left to attend Walla Walla University, living in northern Washington before coming back to southwest Washington.
She’s married to her college sweetheart and the couple stays busy with their sweet and active toddler son.
Melanie loves entertaining, thrifting and is a budding horticulturalist with a love for all indoor houseplants.

Saskia Van Verseveld

Chief Operations Officer

For more than 30 years, Saskia has held different roles for organizations that all have one thing in common – they support the core of the business. Whether in a human resource, accounting, facilities, IT, or administration position she’s had the joy of performing a wide variety of projects and business initiatives. And that is the reason she loves her job – no day and no project is ever the same.

Saskia is fueled by improving processes and business operations, so they run efficiently and smoothly.

Saskia grew up in Europe (Go Netherlands!) and now calls the Pacific Northwest home. On weekends you can find her skiing, hiking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Brian Thomas

Staff Accountant & Tax Preparer

Brian is a staff accountant and tax preparer on our team and has worked in public accounting for the last decade. He loves the intricate world of tax accounting. He revels in the mental challenges the field offers, where problem-solving and research are paramount, and the distinction between right and wrong is crystal clear. Much like his love of Legos, accounting provides comforting order, precision, and clear structure.

Brian’s grateful to call the Pacific Northwest home, sharing adventures with his wife, Michelle, in Battle Ground. Music is a shared passion, along with completing Lego sets together, and enjoying live shows. Their household is complete with a dachshund named Toby.

Brian’s family background is a unique blend – his father is a mortician, and his mother an accountant. He humorously admits he chose the brighter career path.

Erika Wheeler

Staff Accountant

Erika is a staff accountant, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to our team. Raised in an accounting family, her love for the profession stems from the belief that accounting and taxes, while essential, can often be the burdensome and stressful part of running a business. Erika happily shoulders these responsibilities, allowing business owners to do what they do best – growing their enterprises.

Beyond her professional life, Erika is an avid traveler, considering each journey an opportunity for education and an avenue to deepen her appreciation for the world. She’s also a culinary enthusiast, finding solace and creativity in the kitchen after a day filled with numbers and regulations.

Born and raised in Hong Kong but having spent half of her life on the island of Guam, Erika now resides in Ridgefield with her husband, Andy, and their two teenage boys, Devan and Dylan, not to forget their mischievous feline companions, Beans and Wrex.

Kelly Pettit

Client Services II

Energetic, engaging, and always ready to uplift those around her, Kelly is an invaluable part of our Client Services team. With a passion for building meaningful relationships and fostering a culture of excellence, she helps us all strive to be our best. Known for her enthusiasm and teamwork, she’s the first to dive into new projects, lend a hand, and inspire others to shine.

Kelly joined our team in early 2024, bringing a wealth of experience from similar roles and a strong skillset that she’s seamlessly applied to enhance our operations.

Originally from Central Illinois, she now enjoys life in downtown Vancouver. An avid traveler, she makes time to visit family and friends across California, Nevada, and Florida. Outside of work, she cherishes her role as a mother of two daughters, grandmother to a grandson, and proud “Pet Aunt” to many beloved animals.

Trisha Townsend, SHRM-CP

People & Culture Administrator

Trisha lives by Mahatma Gandhi’s quote, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This philosophy shines through in her work, where she supports our team by expertly organizing and executing programs and events that help everyone perform at their best.

Beginning her career in hospitality, Trisha naturally transitioned to Human Resources, recognizing the shared focus on service. She found that skills honed in restaurants—such as customer service, adaptability, and effective communication—were invaluable in fostering a positive and productive workplace.

Trisha has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration & Management from Lee College, and earned her SHRM-CP (Society of Human Resources Certified Professional) designation in 2022, followed by an HR Department of One specialty credential.
Originally from Texas, Trisha and her then-boyfriend, now husband, were captivated by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest during a visit. Enchanted by the landscape between the ocean and mountains, they made a promise to move there if they ever got married. True to their word, they reside here now, along with their sweet, sassy Augie who joins their outdoor adventures.

Kelsey Smith, EA

Staff Accountant

After gaining valuable experience as a tax preparer across various firms, we were delighted to welcome Kelsey to our team as a Staff Accountant in the fall of 2024. She was drawn to Integrated Tax Services by the opportunity to grow professionally while participating in giving back to our local community.

What she enjoys most about her work is the problem-solving aspect — preparing tax returns feels much like solving a puzzle, a favorite pastime of hers. By thoughtfully assembling each piece, she helps create a comprehensive and accurate picture of every client’s financial situation.

Kelsey obtained her Enrolled Agent (EA) designation in 2023. In addition, she is a Washington State University Vancouver alum with both a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.
A strawberry ice cream enthusiast, Kelsey can play the cello and is currently trying to master the electric guitar. She dreams of road-tripping across America, with aspirations of becoming a world traveler.

Ralph Doggett, EA

Sr. Managing Director

Ralph is a veteran in the tax and financial planning field, bringing decades of experience and a deep commitment to helping people navigate their financial lives with clarity and confidence.

Growing up, Ralph moved frequently, which gave him a unique perspective on people, life transitions, and the importance of planning for the future. He discovered early on that understanding how to manage money could open doors to greater stability and opportunity. That insight sparked a lifelong career, beginning in the 1980s, devoted to guiding clients through the complexities of tax and financial planning.

A lifelong learner, Ralph values growth and adaptability. He joined our team to continue building meaningful connections with clients while also contributing to a culture that encourages professional development and personal growth.

Ralph has been a volunteer guest speaker at the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and the National Association of Tax Professionals.

Joel Maag

IT Manager

Joel is our IT Manager and a true technology enthusiast. He loves to tinker and figure out how things work, with a belief that there’s far more creativity in technology than meets the eye. At our company, he stays hands-on while also guiding the overall direction of our technology strategy. He enjoys wearing all the hats and helps us stay both innovative, efficient and safe with our technological practices.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Joel traveled extensively early in his career, working across the country before ultimately solidifying his love for the region. He embraces everything the Northwest has to offer—snow, sun, surf, and endless trails.

A lifelong athlete, he played competitive volleyball for more than 30 years and recently traded the court for the pickleball paddle. When he’s not solving tech challenges, you’ll likely find him surfing year-round on the north coast, swimming, hiking, biking, bouldering, or enjoying a patio session with his wife, their dog, and friends.

At home, he tends to his small urban farm—complete with two bee hives (simply named A and B), three chickens, and Murray, a Schneeze (a miniature schnauzer and Havanese mix).

Carl Timmerman

Sr. Tax Preparer

Carl brings more than three decades of tax and accounting experience and a genuine passion for helping clients navigate the complexities of taxation with confidence. His career began in California in the early 1990s and evolved from electronic filing and tax preparation into building and leading his own tax and accounting practice. Along the way, he earned both his Enrolled Agent (EA) designation and became an Oregon Licensed Tax Consultant.

He joined our team to reconnect and collaborate with colleagues he had worked with previously. Known for his depth of knowledge and commitment to client service, Carl enjoys helping people find clarity and confidence through every stage of the tax process.

Outside of work, he enjoys woodworking and playing keyboards and has performed in a variety of bands over the years.

Jennifer Velazquez

Client Services II

Jennifer joined our team in late 2025, bringing industry experience, a positive attitude, and a genuine passion for helping others. She was drawn to our company because of the welcoming culture she experienced from the very beginning.

Jennifer enjoys meeting new people, solving problems, and helping clients navigate their needs. Whether she’s answering questions, finding solutions, or simply brightening someone’s day, she takes pride in creating positive experiences and making meaningful connections.

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys road trips, sightseeing, spending time with friends and family, and playing video games. She and her husband share their home with three cats who keep them entertained with their playful antics and endless personalities.

Vicky Wirkkala

Client Service Manager

After joining us in a seasonal role during the 2025 tax season, Vicky was drawn to join our team because of the genuine care we show our clients, our commitment to continuous learning, and the positive impact we strive to make in our community.

As Client Services Manager, Vicky knows that every interaction matters. With previous experience as an Administrative Assistant and Logistics Coordinator, she enjoys finding ways to improve processes behind the scenes, helping create a smoother, more positive experience for both clients and team members.

Outside of work, Vicky loves calling the Pacific Northwest home, with beaches, mountains, cities, and countryside all within a few hours’ drive. She enjoys paper quilling, playing video games with her husband and teenage son, and spending time with her two feline companions and large extended family.

Audit rates decline for 6th year in a row

How to handle a gap in health care coverage

Managing money tips for couples

New Year’s resolutions are for suckers – Do this instead

5 Tips for Smarter Banking

Categories

Heidi M. Johnson Bixby, CFP®

Randy Sprenger

John Caton

Jonathan Larson

Megan Dixon

Cynthia Boman Thompson, MS, CFP®

Kristi Koebke

Rachel Gorretta

Juli Potts, SHRM-CP, PHR, CCP

Vivian Le Cousins

Jim Scott

Brigg Wolgamott

Melanie Yeagley

Saskia Van Verseveld

Brian Thomas

Erika Wheeler

Kelly Pettit

Trisha Townsend, SHRM-CP

Kelsey Smith, EA

Ralph Doggett, EA

Joel Maag

Carl Timmerman

Jennifer Velazquez

Vicky Wirkkala

Heidi M. Johnson Bixby, CFP^®

Cynthia Boman Thompson, MS, CFP^®