About TKW
OUR STORY
TKW started in 1987 through the vision of our three founders, Jack Talbot, Roger Korvola and John Warwick.
While partners in a “Big Eight” firm, Jack Talbot and Roger Korvola recognized the opportunity to serve clients as business advisors, not just accountants, and combined their expertise in advisory and audit services to form Talbot & Korvola. Soon after, John Warwick, also a partner in a national accounting firm, joined as the tax partner and TKW was born.
Jack Talbot
Roger Korvola
John Warwick
In the early years, TKW’s primary client, the Bonneville Power Administration, kept the small firm in business, contributing to the firm’s eventual growth over the next two decades to more than 50 team members and thousands of clients. Through the years, the firm systematically established its strong proficiency in serving the tax and assurance needs of individuals, companies, governmental entities, and not-for-profit organizations in the Pacific Northwest, becoming known for our special expertise in governmental accounting and auditing.
We Offer the Best of Both Worlds
In 1994, TKW was asked to join the RSM US Alliance, a premier affiliation of 80 independent accounting and consulting firms in the United States and Caribbean. This alliance has enabled us to draw upon the resources of one of the nation’s premier providers of audit, tax and consulting services, while remaining an independent business and legal entity. Describing ourselves as a boutique accounting firm in Portland, the men and women at TKW today are still shaped by the driving force of three founders who wanted to do more than prepare and examine financial records. We continue to provide the high level of personalized service that Talbot, Korvola and Warwick established so many years ago, while delivering successful solutions that meet the needs of our clients today.
RSM US Alliance provides its members with access to resources of RSM US LLP. RSM US Alliance member firms are separate and independent businesses and legal entities that are responsible for their own acts and omissions, and each are separate and independent from RSM US LLP. RSM US LLP is the U.S. member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax, and consulting firms. Members of RSM US Alliance have access to RSM International resources through RSM US LLP but are not member firms of RSM International. Visit rsmus.com/about for more information regarding RSM US LLP and RSM International. The RSM™ logo is used under license by RSM US LLP. RSM US Alliance products and services are proprietary to RSM US LLP.
OUR MISSION
We inspire peace of mind by sharing our passion for accounting
with our clients and each other.
OUR CULTURE
Every accounting firm needs a strong culture to achieve great things, so what is so unique about ours?
Everyone is “mission-critical.” Any person in our Firm can tell you TKW’s mission and describe how he or she is contributing toward our goals. Prospective employees are screened for skills and values compatible with our pursuits, and, once hired, benefit from a thorough onboarding and training period to learn what is expected of them to become capable, quickly yet comfortably.
Our culture comes from the top. Our Partners set the example of great leadership. Their approachability means everyone can have a voice. They encourage and reward employees who do what it takes to help our clients achieve their goals, and who make smart decisions and interact well with others. Our mentors walk alongside less experienced staff as role models who guide, teach, motivate and support them as they develop within their careers.
We’re not in the office every minute. Our office has never closed during the pandemic, but our employees have flexibility around where they work. Due to the seasonal nature of our work, we put in long hours when the schedule requires it. But we also enjoy participating in Firm-organized charitable and social events, flexible schedules, and generous time off.
We have our eye on the future. We may not have a crystal ball, but we know our industry is rapidly evolving with the rise of technology. However, we believe our strong interpersonal and analytical skills will be just as important to our clients in the future, to help them forecast and evaluate financial decisions in ways that artificial intelligence cannot. We’re continuously investing in our people, our technology, our workspace, and the future of accounting to remain relevant and successful.
Serving the Community
TKW strives to make a difference in the lives of others by volunteering together in small groups and as a Firm. We surveyed our staff as to which philanthropic efforts they would like to support - and helping local families fight hunger and homelessness was at the top of our list. We lend a hand where we can, by packing food at the Oregon Food Bank, for example, making greeting cards for hospitalized children and holding warm clothing drives for the people served by the Portland Rescue Mission.
Voted #8 Most Diverse Accounting Firm of 2021
by the Portland Business Journal
OUR PEOPLE
Jason Orme
503-552-6704
Jason Orme is TKW's Managing Partner. Also, as Partner in Charge of TKW's Tax Department, he brings over 35 years of experience as a tax expert, providing consulting and compliance services to closely held businesses, their owners, individuals and not-for-profit organizations. He joined TKW in 2002 after serving as Senior Tax Manager at Grant Thornton LLP, Portland. Jason is experienced in a variety of tax matters, including the potential tax ramifications of proposed transaction structures and transitioning ownership to employees and family members.
Jason earned a Master of Professional Accountancy degree, with an emphasis in taxation, along with his Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting and Finance at University of Utah. He is a licensed CPA in Oregon and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and a lifetime member and past Chair of the Oregon Society of CPAs (OSCPA). He serves as a member of the OSCPA Taxation Committee and their Women’s Initiative Committee. He also serves as a member of the Oregon Board of Accountancy Laws and Rules Committee and as a member of AICPA Council.
Over the years, Jason has been a featured speaker and instructor at local and national conferences, addressing issues that include ongoing changes in tax law and regulations.
Julie Fahey
971-339-1179
Julie Fahey is a Partner in TKW’s assurance practice. She has over twenty years of experience in public accounting, and is a CPA, a licensed municipal auditor, a Certified Fraud Examiner, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.
Julie joined TKW in 2004 after working as a supervisor at Grant Thornton LLP, Portland. A graduate of Portland State University with a B.S. emphasizing Accounting, she specializes in providing a wide range of assurance services to governmental entities and closely held companies, including financial statement audits, reviews, compilations, internal control studies, agreed upon procedures and business consulting. Julie oversees the Firm’s Employee Benefit Plan audit practice and serves as the firm’s designated Audit Partner for membership in the AICPA’s Employee Benefit Audit Quality Center. She is also responsible for TKW’s internal inspection process and leads the Firm’s recruiting efforts.
Julie serves on the Oregon Government Finance Officers Association (OGFOA) Education Committee, as well as on the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) Governmental Accounting and Auditing Strategic Committee. She also participates in the national Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement Program’s Special Review Committee and is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).
As a native Oregonian, Julie enjoys all that the Pacific Northwest offers and traveling with friends and family.
Tim Gillette
503-552-6709
Tim Gillette is a Partner in TKW's assurance practice and former Managing Partner of the firm.
He is a licensed CPA in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, a licensed municipal auditor in Oregon, a Certified Fraud Examiner, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.
Tim joined TKW in 2001. Previously he worked for “Big 4” public accounting firms in Amsterdam, Honolulu, Portland, and Omaha. Tim provides business and accounting advice to the industries we serve, including cash flow projections, profitability analysis, and litigation support. He has led training in US GAAP & GAAS at local, national and international levels and taught accounting at the university level. He has also previously served on the Oregon Board of Accountancy’s Peer Review Task Force.
Tim’s varied career of over 40 years in public accounting and private industry includes stints as an analyst for a mining company, a home builder, Vice President, Finance of a developer/operator in the hospitality industry, and as General Manager of a manufacturer of truck parts.
Kris Peterson
503-552-6700
Kris Peterson is a Partner in TKW's tax department. She has worked with closely held businesses and their owners for over 25 years to resolve a wide range of tax and business issues involving both planning and compliance. Since joining TKW in 2001, Kris has served a broad spectrum of businesses, with a focus in the construction, hospitality and service industries. She is a licensed CPA in Oregon and a member of both the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Kris grew up in the Portland area and continues to have strong ties to the region. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Portland State University followed by a Master of Taxation, also from Portland State. Kris now participates in the Portland State School Accounting Advisory Board to encourage a close relationship between the University and the profession.
When not engaged in tax planning Kris likes to indulge her passion for gardening, spending time alternately overplanting and trimming things, but not so much as to preclude actually sitting down and simply enjoying the view.
Mandy Chan
503-944-6274
Mandy Chan is a Partner in TKW's tax department. She has over 20 years of experience in public accounting and is a licensed CPA in Oregon and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA). She joined TKW in 2013 after working for 11 years at Grant Thornton.
Mandy is dedicated to helping clients through her expertise in tax consulting, planning, and compliance services to middle-market businesses and their owners. She also has expertise in accounting for income taxes for corporations. She has helped companies navigate the intricacies of the Oregon Corporate Activity Tax (CAT) since its implementation and stays current with new Oregon tax law, including the Portland Metro Tax and Multnomah County Preschool Tax effective in 2021.
Mandy graduated from the University of Oregon with Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a Master's Degree in Professional Accounting. She immigrated to the U.S. from Hong Kong as a child and speaks Cantonese fluently. Mandy enjoys “retail therapy,” reading; watching criminal investigation shows; trying new foods and spending time with her family.
Dan Miley
503-274-2849
Dan Miley is a Partner in TKW's assurance practice. He is a CPA and licensed municipal auditor in Oregon. Dan joined TKW in 2013. Previously, Dan worked as a management analyst for a medium-sized county in Oregon. Additionally, Dan has worked with clients in the governmental, manufacturing, distribution, and construction industries.
Dan earned a Masters of Business Administration from Willamette University, a Postbaccalaureate Accounting Certificate from Portland State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science from Weber State University.
Dan serves on the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) Governmental Accounting and Auditing Strategic Committee, participates in the national Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement Program's Special Review Committee, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He has presented at OSCPA and Oregon Government Finance Officers Association (OGFOA) conferences.
