Your success
is our success.
For more than 40 years, VWC-CPA has had our heads down, working hard, helping our clients to succeed—however they define that. Of course we do all the basics right: tax returns, financial statements, estate planning. But the reason clients leave other firms and come to us, and the reason they stay with us for decades, is because we care.
We’re people, helping people improve their businesses, their family circumstances, their lives. We want to make a difference that you’ll notice somewhere other than a spreadsheet. We’re advisors, sounding boards, like that one really sharp friend of yours. When other accountants are mentally clocking billable time, we’re grabbing a coffee to settle in and listen.
VALUES
INTEGRITY. RESPECT. COLLABORATION.
We set high standards for ourselves, and we value honesty and transparency in everything we do. We aren’t here to just tell you what you want to hear, and we don’t want you to sugarcoat things either. True consultation can’t happen without real conversation. We listen, and we speak the truth, because we respect our clients and our team members. We believe in relentlessly doing the right thing.
Collaboration is a way of life here, among our staff and with you. We want to hear everything you care to share, so we can get a full picture of your situation and your needs. Our goal is to be objective, consistent advocates for your interests. We’re always on your side of the table, never across from you.
PEOPLE
PARTNERSHIP WITH PURPOSE.
Everyone at VWC is committed to working together and delivering personalized, thoughtful solutions that fit your needs. That philosophy permeates our entire structure, where partners offer collaboration and guidance, not dictates and distance. Tell any one of us where you want to go, and we all commit to helping you get there.
The key to our success? We are not primarily driven by money. No one pinches pennies just to make more for the partners. And everyone keeps the best interests of clients in mind at all times. We follow through on our commitments—to you and to each other—without letting money dictate how we do business. It’s how we all achieve real success.
ADRIENNE NORDLAND
Partner, Audit and Accounting
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Highly regarded by colleagues and clients for her ability to communicate, collaborate and solve problems, Adrienne Nordland loves learning about the businesses she serves.
With a background as a Controller for a closely held, family-owned company, and 14-plus years in public accounting, Adrienne joined the audit department at VWC in 2017. A native of Washington State and a UW graduate, Adrienne has completed two half marathons (which adds up to a full marathon by any reasonable accounting standard) and loves outdoor adventures with her family and dogs.
DON CARLIN
Partner, Tax
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Don joined VWC in 1995 after time at both national and regional CPA firms. He works with closely held manufacturing and distribution companies, acting as a hands-on strategic advisor and helping businesses and owners define and achieve financial and personal goals.
With significant experience in tax advisory services and as a Family CFO, Don heads up our High-Net-Worth Families and Individuals practice. Topping his list of favorite things is finding free parking for his ’62 Corvette (which he drives only on nice days, of course).
LEE JOHNSON
Partner, Business Management
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Lee is the partner in charge of the Business Management department, and provides hands-on guidance as needed on just about everything.
Lee likes the excitement of working with a wide variety of clients, as well as the positive, collegial atmosphere at VWC. He has nothing but good things to say about the people in his department—especially when it comes to their dedication, talent, and optimism. The feelings are mutual. He lives and works by the philosophy of treating others as you would like to be treated, and he always gets caught doing the right thing.
RACHELLE HOUGHTON
Partner, Tax
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Rachelle enjoyed her first accounting class when she was 15 and never looked back. After years of private industry, public accounting, and partnership at a local firm, she joined VWC in 2011. She has extensive experience providing consulting services in a variety of areas, including accounting systems, transactional acquisitions/sales, efficiency planning, and budgeting.
Rachelle specializes in high-net-worth individuals and closely held companies across a diverse mix of industries. She also appreciates and dabbles in various art forms; you’ll see her work and that of other local artists in her office.
STEVE POLIS
Partner, Tax
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Steve joined VWC in 1993 and became a tax partner in 1996. He works with a wide variety of clients—from manufacturers with revenues exceeding $100 million to startups looking to turn their first profit. With more than 30 years of experience at both large regional and local firms, Steve brings a strong level of expertise to VWC clients.
He also has a long backlog of woodworking projects and fantasizes about being an inventor. Steve’s natural curiosity drives his desire to help solve the problems facing today’s businesses.