Bridging the Gap: Collaborative Tax Planning for CPAs and Financial Advisors - Presented by the Spokane Chapter

Anna Vaughan, Brava CPA

Anna is the founder and owner of Brava Certified Public Accountants. With over eight years of experience in the accounting and consulting industry, Anna has built a reputation for excellence, integrity, and personalized service.

Anna holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Accounting from University of Idaho and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Over the last two years, Anna successfully managed the existing tax practice at Stauffer & Associates, implementing significant improvements that enhanced efficiency and client satisfaction. Driven by a passion for helping clients achieve their financial goals, Anna founded Brava with the mission to provide high-quality, personalized tax and consulting services. Under Anna’s leadership, the firm has grown to serve a diverse clientele, ranging from individuals and small businesses to large corporations. Anna’s dedication to continuous learning and staying abreast of industry trends ensures that clients always receive up-to-date, effective advice.

When not working, Anna enjoys exploring new destinations and experiencing different cultures through travel. A food enthusiast, Anna loves trying new restaurants and discovering unique culinary delights—especially with friends and family, who provide a well-rounded balance to her professional life.

C. Eric Christiansen, Quantum Financial Planning

C. ERIC CHRISTIANSEN, CFP® has worked at Quantum since 1995 and earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation in 1999. Eric is the managing partner at Quantum.

Eric has been reappointed four times by Governor Christine Gregoire and Governor Jay Inslee to serve as a Trustee on the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP) board. He is a current member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Eric is on the board of the local Spokane FPA Chapter and has served as a past president and past treasurer. Eric has also served as the past president of the Northeast Community Center, and continues to serve as a board member. He is a member of the Spokane Estate Planning Council and the Rotary Chapter 21, and has served as the past president of Spokane’s Rotaract Club. He has also served as past board member and treasurer of the Spokane Club. Eric is a current board member and treasurer of the First Presbyterian Christian School and also serves on the board of directors for the Fairmont Memorial Association.

Originally from Nebraska, Eric came to Spokane to attend Gonzaga University. Eric earned his BA degree of Business Finance from Gonzaga University in 1996 and studied abroad for one school year in Florence, Italy. Eric, his wife Carrie, and their four children live in Spokane, WA. They spend a lot of time taxiing kids to their sporting events. He enjoys traveling, skiing, biking, and many other outdoor activities with his family.

Gerhard Muelheims III, Moss Adams LLP (Spokane)

Gerhard Muelheims grew up in Spokane, Washington, and holds a BA in Accounting and Economics from Whitworth University. He has practiced public accounting since 2015 and is a licensed CPA in the state of Washington, as well as a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Currently, he serves as a Senior Manager in Moss Adams’s Spokane tax practice, focusing primarily on clients in the real estate and construction industries. His clients include real estate developers, syndicated real estate funds, general contractors, and business owners.

Gerhard’s emphasis on building relationships enables him to advise clients on tax strategies that increase cash flow and maximize tax deductions. He has experience with tiered partnership structures, partnership debt allocations, cost segregation and depreciation analysis, real estate sales, 1031 exchanges, and accounting method changes.

Michael Vickerman Jr., Vickerman Investment Advisors Advisors Inc

Mike grew up as the son of a small business owner and got to see the success and failure that comes with taking risks. When the family business failed during his high school years, the financial and emotional wounds that his family experienced forged a passion to help and teach families how to plan and invest in a system that meets their goals.

He applied and received a full ride scholarship to the University of Southern California where he studied and graduated from the nation’s 3rd ranked School of Accounting. Mike started his career as a CPA for Ernst & Young where he gained valuable experience evaluating how companies create and grow their business models and how they are valued. He also became an expert in tax planning, preparing tax returns during the busy season. This training provided him with the skills he needed to start and grow Vickerman & Driscoll into one of the leading RIA’s in the Pacific Northwest.

In 2021, after Kevin Driscoll retired, Mike refocused his efforts for his next chapter by building the team at VIA. Mike’s passion for helping clients align their life goals with their financial plan is evident when you meet him, and as you watch him create a custom plan centered around the MyBucketSystem™ strategy.

Mike loves the outdoors, and enjoys spending time at the lake with his wife Michele and their five grown kids; Saige, Analese, Peggy, Mirisa, and Jillian.