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 client’s 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 likes to help his clients by assuming the role of the “external controller”. A good accountant will ensure your filings are done on time and help to minimize tax, but as an “external controller” Patrick also focuses on becoming a part of your company. He has helped his clients by re-working their accounting systems and procedures for gathering and inputting information in order to ensure decisions are being made with the most relevant information, identified areas where outsourcing, or taking services in-house, would be beneficial, and helped to structure and achieve long term plans for the individuals behind the corporations. Putting your mind at ease is his highest concern.

As a Business Advisor, Patrick will ensure your Companies are structured correctly to facilitate proper asset protection, tax minimization, estate planning, as well as succession planning. Patrick has also successfully assisted his clients with other services such as negotiating for the purchase of various companies, hiring of key personnel, and the successful financing of business expansions with transactions over $1M.

His public-practice accounting experience dates back to 1997 when he started with Bekken, Bickford & Associates Inc (“BBA”). With them, he has gained the confidence and earned the respect of his clients and peers. In addition to his daily work, he also participates in seminars and workshops in conjunction with other financial professionals and advisors.

Patrick’s own industry experience includes owning a manufacturing company with high volume customers such as 7-Eleven Canada and Weston Bakeries, and a high-end European bakery. At any given time, Patrick would be responsible for managing over 40 employees and all the logistics of having two companies that ran literally 24 hours a day.

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.

Personally, Patrick and his wife are the parents of two beautiful girls, He enjoys golf, boating (Power Squadron member), the occasional cigar and has an unquenchable affection for cars.

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

Read articles written by Patrick:

• To Incorporate, or Not to Incorporate
• Buying Real Estate in a Corporation

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Jess joined the BBA team in March of 2009, and became 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 honors 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) 903-6655
f.  (604) 925-4762
e.  jess@bbagroup.ca

Sonya founded the firm in 1990 shortly after finishing her articling with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Working with clients across many industries, she has helped build the practice into what it is now.

d. (604) 903-6653
t. (604) 903-6655
f. (604) 925-4762
e. sonya@bbagroup.ca

Alan is a 2002 honours graduate from UBC’s Bachelor of Commerce program with a major in Accounting. He joined Bekken, Bickford & Associates Inc. in early 2003 and has been an integral part of the team ever since.

During his CGA studies, Alan achieved the distinction of obtaining the highest mark in the Province for two separate CGA courses! He completed the CGA program and was awarded his professional designation in March 2006. At Alan’s Convocation Ceremony, he was awarded the W. Curry McCalpin Award for 2006 as the BC graduating student with the highest overall average in all written examinations as well as the Top 10 Recognition Award for having an average mark in the PACE level exams in the top 10 for all of Canada! He also delivered the Valedictorian Address at his Convocation Ceremony. His expertise is in tax and accounting research.

In his spare time, he enjoys reading, playing sports and mah jong with friends and family. He also likes to travel, with a trip to Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand already under his belt.

d. (604) 637-9715
t. (604) 685-9843
f. (604) 685-9856
e. alan@bbagroup.ca

Prior to her career in accounting, Carrie traveled the world for four years with cruise ships, working hard, seeing new countries and developing an appreciation of other cultures.  Travelling was a wonderful experience, but there is no place like home!

d. (604) 637-9721
t. (604) 685-9843
f. (604) 685-9856
e. carrie@bbagroup.ca

Joseph has graduated from UBC Bachelor of Management program with honors in 2012. Within the management program he majored in Accounting with great passion. Working at BBA Accounting Group Inc. is his first step of his accounting career. His goal is to become a positive contributor to both the Company and its clients. Joseph also has some exceptional life experience. He served in the Korean army for two years as an anti-tank missile specialist and co-founded a coffee roasting company. Personally, Joseph has great interest in roasting and extracting coffees using different methods, soccer, hiking, and cooking.

d. (604) 637-9723
t. (604) 685-9843
f. (604) 685-9856
e. joseph@bbagroup.ca

Mandy has a passion for learning and growing each day in her career. Her interest in learning led her to pursue her Master of Professional Accounting degree and CPA designation. Mandy has worked with many private companies in a variety of industries throughout her career. She is always happy to help answer your tax and accounting questions.

In her spare time, Mandy enjoys travelling with her husband to learn about the history and culture of countries around the world.

Vicki joined BBA in March 2015. Since immigrating from the UK in 2010 where her accounting experience was primarily in Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, she successfully completed a Diploma in Accounting and a Intro to Canadian Payroll course. Vicki is looking forward to utilizing and expanding on this new knowledge at BBA.

d. (604) 637-9701
t. (604) 685-9843
f. (604) 685-9856
e. vicki@bbagroup.ca

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Rebecca joined BBA in February 2017 after working as an ECE in childcare for 5 years. Born and raised in Port Hardy Rebecca moved to Vancouver in 2015. As a foodie, she enjoys going out with her boyfriend and trying all the amazing foods Vancouver has to offer. She also enjoys watching movies and baking in her spare time. She cannot wait to learn and grow with the BBA Group.

d. (604) 637-9724
t. (604) 685-9843
f. (604) 685-9856
e. rebecca@bbagroup.ca

Han joined BBA Accounting Group Inc. in November 2017. He graduated from University of the Fraser Valley with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. Before joining BBA, he worked in public practice accounting for three years. He is currently pursuing CPA designation and expects to take a CFE this September. In his spare time, he likes to do outdoor activities such as biking and hiking with his wife. Nowadays he likes to learn cooking.

d. (604) 637-9765
t. (604) 685-9843
f. (604) 685-9856
e. han@bbagroup.ca

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Lana joined BBA Accounting Group in November 2019. She obtained her Accounting Diploma with distinction from British Columbia Institute of Technology. Currently, she is pursuing her CPA designation.

Before joining BBA, she worked at an accounting firm for three years helping clients with their bookkeeping and tax matters. She believes that success is built on having a sincere interest in your profession and desire to help others to succeed.

She likes working in public practice as it offers a wide variety of genuinely challenging and fascinating work.

In her spare time, she likes to spend time exploring new places, hiking, camping, and playing badminton.

Marta joined BBA Accounting Group in November 2019.  She obtained her Bachelor of Arts majoring in Economics from UBC in 2015. After gaining experience working in legal administration, she decided to pursue accounting.  Marta graduated from UBC’s Diploma in Accounting Program in 2018, and is currently pursuing her CPA designation. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, skiing, and playing basketball.

Nikita joined BBA Accounting Group in January 2021.

Amiel joined BBA Accounting Group in July 2021.

Regina joined the BBA accounting group in July 2021. She graduated with Masters’ from Schulich School of Business, York University, in 2019 and is currently pursuing her CPA, having already passed the CFE exam. She was raised in Beijing and is fluent in both Mandarin and English. Outside of the office, Regina enjoys swimming, dancing, and exploring the outdoors with her puppy – Waffle.

Teodora, or as her friends call her, Teo, graduated from the Babes Bolyai University in Romania with a major in International Economic Transactions before immigrating to Canada. You could say that this industry is, quite simply, in her blood as her mother has been an accountant for years and often enlisted Teo to help her with her clients’ needs. Teo has completed several accounting and tax courses at BCIT and is enrolled in the CPA program where she will achieve her Professional Accounting Designation, surely making her mom, and the rest of us, very proud.

t. (778) 734-0405
f. (604) 925-4762
e. teodora@bbagroup.ca

After graduating with a BSc from university in England, Catriona worked in television post production for 10 years before leaving the hustle and bustle of London life to raise her children.

She worked part time from home and continued studies until immigrating to Canada in 2007 with her husband and 3 children. Following further education at Capilano University, Catriona was sent on a practicum placement to BBA in the summer of 2008. She never left and continues to enjoy being part of the West Van Office team.

“It is important to me that our clients feel cared for and understood; I want them to know that when they hand their files to us we will do our best to give them an efficient and thoughtful service.”

Catriona lives on the North Shore with her family and continues to update and further her accounting skills on the CGA program.

t. (778) 734-0409
f. (604) 925-4762
e. catriona@bbagroup.ca

Runa joined BBA in June 2010 after completing the Accounting and Finance Diploma at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George. She grew up in the remote town of Tofino on Vancouver Island and now calls the North Shore home. She currently heads up the bookkeeping department in our West Vancouver location.

t. (778) 734-0407
f. (604) 925-4762
e. runa@bbagroup.ca

Michele joined the BBA Accounting Group in September 2015 as an Office Administrator, and she quickly advanced to the Bookkeeper role. Michele has completed the Bookkeeping/Accounting Assistant Certificate from Okanagan University College. She was drawn to bookkeeping after working and travelling for many years as a geologist, then staying home to focus on raising a family, and now enjoys working and living on the North Shore. In her spare time Michele appreciates being outdoors hiking, camping, exploring, and spending time with her children.

t. (778) 734-0410
f. (604) 925-4762
e. michele@bbagroup.ca

Tolga joined BBA Accounting Group Inc. in January 2017. He obtained his Bachelors of Arts in Communication and Design from Bilkent University located in Ankara, Turkey. Before joining BBA, he pursued a career in music as a bass player for 10 years and worked as an Administrative Assistant at a law firm in Turkey. He also has an Acting for Stage and Screen diploma from Capilano University. In his spare time, Tolga likes to make music in his small home studio and play video games.

t. (778) 734-0404
f. (604) 925-4762
e. tolga@bbagroup.ca

Brett joined BBA Accounting Group in October 2019.