Mary Ricks
Columbian Staff Reporter

Business name: Opsahl, Dawson & Company P.S.

Owners: Aaron and Jennifer Dawson and Matt Lee.

Address: 2620 S.E. 165th Ave., Suite 200, Vancouver. The
company also has an office in Longview.

What the business does: Opsahl, Dawson P.S. is a fullservice accounting firm. Aaron Dawson said his company is a “new age” accounting firm. It provides services including bookkeeping, payroll, tax planning and preparation, financial statements, business consulting and banking assistance using paperless technologies. Dawson believes in great customer service and helping clients achieve their financial goals. Two years ago, the firm developed paperless practices as an effort to increase efficiency. Its secure computer system allows staff to work with clients remotely.

How has the economy affected your business:
Dawson said clients value customer service as they look for answers on how they can run their businesses smarter and leaner amid a tough economy. The company has assisted clients with bank financing and helped train client’s staff on how to produce timely financial information. Opsahl’s clients benefited by getting some significant tax refunds in 2009 and 2010, when the IRS allowed taxpayers to carry back business losses and recover taxes paid five years prior.

Greatest challenge: Dawson said the greatest challenge for any CPA business is how to survive the tax season. The firm does the majority of its work from Feb. 1 through April 15. Opsahl, Dawson is deadline-driven and successful at completing projects on budget and on time for its clients. It has developed a very unique scheduling system that allows for a smooth workflow. Another challenge is operating in two separate locations.

What’s ahead: The first thing that comes to mind, Dawson said, is the April 15 tax due date. Dawson’s wife Jennifer, a CPA and partner in the company, is expecting twin girls who are due April 15. The company has plans to install some faster, more robust servers internally to support its growing paperless practice and also upgrade its phone system.

Year established in Clark County: 1979; bought in 2009.

Employees: 23.

Telephone: 360-737-8007.

Fax: 360-737-8004.

Email: aaron@opsahlco.com

Website: http:www.opsahlco.com

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; evenings and weekends by appointment.