about us

Our story

Megan Richardson and Danica Swanson partnered early in 2020 to take ownership of the firm as Bob Branner retired. They decided early on that continuity and honoring the company’s beginnings were so much more important than having their names on the letterhead. The logo we so proudly display is the one used by one of the first female CPA’s in the state of Oregon, Barbara Branner and her husband, George, who opened their tax office in the early 60’s and eventually turned it over to their nephew, Bob, in the mid 1990’s.

Over the years Barbara shared her experience as a woman in a male dominated industry with her nephew. In his time as a managing partner Bob honored his aunt by mentoring, empowering, and encouraging the women in his firm to realize their professional talents. Our story is a legacy of mentorship, service, and professional growth that we will continue into the future.

Our Mission & Values

We would much rather give good advice than bad news. For this reason our highest goal is to be a trusted partner our clients can rely on through all of life’s twists and turns, not to mention tax legislation changes. The work we do includes the kind of expert advice, planning, care, and support that you just can’t get from do-it-yourself software.

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Integrity

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Trust

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TeamWork

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Growth

Meet The Team

Danica Swanson, CPA

Danica began her accounting career providing accounts receivable and accounts payable services for local companies, which led her to obtain her Licensed Tax Preparer designation in 2003. After more than a decade of tax preparation experience, Danica returned to school and graduated from Linfield College with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2017. In 2018 she passed the CPA exams and was granted her CPA designation from the Oregon Board of Accountancy in early 2020. Danica joined the BB Tax & Accounting family in 2015. At that time, the firm was named Branner & Bemis, and Danica was mentored by partner Matt Bemis until his departure in 2018. Danica believes strongly in giving back to the community and volunteers as Treasurer for the Mustang-Born Scholarship Foundation, which seeks to provide scholarships to graduates of Danica’s alma mater, Milwaukie High School. She is also mother to two sweet and funny boys.

Megan Richardson, LTP

Megan started her accounting career as a seasonal worker for Hardy, Branner & Holmes, in 2005. After she graduated from PSU with a Bachelor’s Degree in communications, she was invited to become Robert Branner’s office manager at his newly formed firm, Roberts, Branner & Bemis. This served as Megan’s motivation to obtain her designation as a Licensed Tax Preparer in 2007. After a year of designing systems for the new partnership and learning the ropes, Megan returned to school and ultimately obtained a second Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Eastern Oregon University. Megan was Robert Branner’s mentee for the remainder of his career as he groomed her to take over the firm. In 2015, as the result of financial guidance and assistance from her mentor, Megan was able to realize a dream of purchasing her childhood home in the Columbia River Gorge from her mother with whom she cohabitates. Megan credits every career success to her beloved mentor, Robert Branner, and is proud to carry his legacy of public service and community building through to this new incarnation of the firm.

Amber Tyson, LTP

Amber is a woman of many talents, and has obtained training, education, and experience in several fields. Her first experience at BB Tax & Accounting was at the front desk, working seasonally for the firm for two years. To our delight, in the winter of 2020, Amber agreed to leave her management position at a human resources company, obtain her Licensed Tax Preparer designation, and join the team year-around. In her free time, Amber loves to adventure around the Pacific Northwest with her husband, and enjoys hiking, wine tasting, and yoga with friends. Her newest and favorite preoccupation is as grandmother to two sweet granddaughters

Trish Jossi, Systems Liaison

Trish came to the firm in 2011 and has worn every hat she could since she began. She has an energetic thirst for understanding, and a positive approach. Over her more than decade of work on the team, she has developed the familiarity and understanding of our systems and is now responsible for making sure everything in the office runs like clockwork. Trish is the mother of two sons and a daughter, and now has three grandsons who are the apple of her eye. She volunteers at her church and uses her formidable paper crafting skills to create the firm’s greeting and thank you cards

Melanie Miller, Client Liaison

Melanie obtained her Associate’s degree in Applied Sciences from Mt. Hood Community College in 2012 and promptly obtained a position as a hair stylist in a prestigious Downtown Portland salon. There, she developed an affinity for the fast-paced work environment, and she honed her ability to do things thoroughly and quickly while staying organized. Melanie began working seasonally for the firm in 2016 and was happy to find that she was able to apply her skills on our team. In 2020, the firm was grateful to bring her on year-around. She keeps us on our toes with her sassy sense of humor, and our hearts happy with pictures of her cat named Bug.