Staff

Howard helps his personal and corporate clients manage their relationship with the Canada Revenue Agency in order to minimize the amount they pay and maximize the amount they keep for themselves, while at the same ensuring that all of their reporting and filing obligations are properly met. Howard also works with his clients to monitor and grow their net worth so that their day of financial freedom arrives sooner rather than later.

Howard spent the first six years of his accounting career working in Price Waterhouse’s Small Business Department followed by 3 years with a local, mid-size CA firm. In 1995 Howard joined forces with Sonya Bekken to form Bekken, Bickford & Associates Inc.

Howard enjoys working with all types of small business owners and has a special interest and expertise in real estate-related ventures. Howard also helps individuals with their US personal tax filings.

Howard enjoys working with and helping small business owners grow their businesses and their personal net worth. He also enjoys helping them as they go through the various phases of their business lives such as entry and exit of business partners, mergers and acquisitions, and ultimately sale or succession.

Howard is married and lives in Lynn Valley with his wife Karen (also a CA) and their three wonderful sons. The whole family is involved in music with Howard playing piano and guitar, Karen playing the piano and bass guitar, and each child playing an instrument or two as well. Howard is also an avid mountain biker and skier.

d. (604) 637-9762
t. (604) 685-9843
f. (604) 685-9856
e. howard@bbagroup.ca

Patrick brings to the table a great mix of public practice and industry experience. His clients are largely privately owned corporations, and it is no wonder why he excels at providing the services they require, as he too has been the entrepreneur he now represents. Understanding where his clients are coming from makes the professional relationship with his clients sound.

Patrick’s career in Public Practice began in 1997, where he quickly identified an aptitude for critical, strategic thinking.  Even after surpassing the “10,000 hour” rule quite some time ago, his thirst for technical, applicable tax knowledge still drives him to continuously better himself.

With the clients’ prioritized objectives in mind (tax minimization, asset protection, succession/estate planning, and debt planning) Patrick is not only able to identify when a change to the corporate structure is required, but also formulate an effective strategy, and explain it in a way that instils confidence in his clients through understanding. 

In addition to Patrick’s work in tax, he is also a trusted business advisor to his corporate clients.  He has assisted in several company sales, purchases, mergers, expansions, and even, when the time calls for it, advising against such things. 

Patrick is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC and the Financial Planning Standards Council. He received his professional designations from CGA-BC in 2002 and CFP in 2009

“Patrick, I can’t thank you enough for your presentation yesterday.  The feedback I’m hearing is that you were incredibly knowledgeable and communicated in a way that people clearly understood what you were saying, and that you were very funny and approachable.  The topics were so relevant for people and I know you’ve prompted people to take action. Thank you again!”

“I cannot thank you enough for your and your teams’ professionalism throughout. I am not used to dealing with such competence and diligence and it is refreshing.”

“May I begin by thanking you again for meeting with Dave and me on Friday. He is rarely impressed with people and he sincerely was impressed with you. So, way to go. Also, the emails you have sent since our meeting show how competent you are.”

“An immense thank you to have welcomed us and allocated so much of your time to answer our many questions about our next endeavor.  Your passion and knowledge are very contagious and invigorating.  Thank you to have shared it with us.  We are looking forward to have you as part of our team to build our dreams.”

d. (604) 637-9763
t. (604) 685-9843
f. (604) 685-9856
e. patrick@bbagroup.ca

Jess joined the BBA team in March of 2009 and became a partner in 2013. Having returned to public practice after several years in various industry positions, Jess brings a wealth of experience in financial systems, operational management, as well as taxation and accounting matters. He has been a designated Chartered Professional Accountant (previously CGA) since 2000, after having graduated from the BCIT Financial Management program with honours in 1997. Prior to BBA, as Controller of a local high-tech firm in Vancouver, he developed systems to support a rapidly growing, recurring subscription client-base in the Point of Sale industry. Jess has a passion for cost control and leveraging financial systems to provide reliable information to stakeholders in a timely manner. While at BBA, he has been able to combine this operational experience with a focus on creating elegant tax structures that result in efficiency on both corporate and personal levels.

Recreationally, Jess enjoys tinkering with anything on two or four wheels and an engine, generally being a self-professed computer geek, and taking apart and fixing nearly anything. He enjoys the outdoors and getting his hands dirty in his organic community garden plot in East Van with his long-term partner April.

d. (604) 903-6654
t. (604) 685-9843
f. (604) 685-9856
e. jess@bbagroup.ca