Partners
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Cynthia Plouf, CPA
Cynthia leverages a powerful blend of public accounting expertise and robust industry knowledge to serve clients in various business sectors. Before joining Van Beek in 2006, she spent 16 years honing her accounting skills within private industry. This background gives her a unique, client-centric perspective on the financial challenges and opportunities facing businesses today. Her prior career provided firsthand insight into the internal accounting functions, strategic financial planning, and operational decision-making that drive a business forward. This perspective is invaluable in her advisory work with clients, allowing her to anticipate needs and provide practical, results-oriented solutions.
At Van Beek, Cynthia specializes in financial accounting, business tax and attest services. She is passionate about translating complex accounting principles into clear, actionable advice. Clients value her ability to speak their language and provide guidance, rather than focusing solely on compliance.
Cynthia holds B.S. degrees in Accounting and Business Administration from Portland State University. She became a Firm partner in 2014. Outside of work, Cynthia enjoys travel, entertaining and spending time with her family, including her three rowdy dogs.
Connect with Cynthia via LinkedIn
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Elena Temkin, CPA
Elena earned her Master’s Degree in Economics from St. Petersburg Academy of Engineering and Economics in Russia, where she also spent 6 years gaining experience as a financial analyst before moving to the USA with her husband in 2004, where she found an interest in taxes. In 2006, she completed H&R Block classes, and obtained her Oregon Tax Preparer license (lapsed). Through these avenues, she was introduced to the Post-Baccalaureate Accounting Program through Portland State University, which she completed in 2007.
Elena started as an intern with Van Beek & Co in 2008, and in 2014 became Firm partner. Since starting with the Firm in 2008, she has honed her expertise in financial statement audits & reviews as well as taxes. She greatly enjoys working with her clients to help them figure out and understand the tax code and US GAAP.
Outside of the office, Elena stays just as busy with her husband, two daughters and as much traveling as they can manage.
Connect with Elena via LinkedIn
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Kathryn Naegeli, CPA
Kathryn has been with the firm since 2010 and became Firm partner in 2024. She holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration from Pacific University and a Masters of Business Taxation from University of Minnesota.
Kathryn particularly enjoys unraveling complex tax issues and tax returns, and is often relied upon to collaborate internally with staff, and externally with clients on complicated tax issues. She appreciates that even the smallest transactions can have a large impact on a client’s life.
Outside of Van Beek & Co, Kathryn can often be found on the farm with chickens, goats and her three children.
Connect with Kathryn via LinkedIn
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Julie Eiguren
Van Beek & Co welcomed Julie as Business Manager to lead our team in 2016 and she became Firm partner in 2024. Julie graduated with a B.S. from Western Oregon University in 1996, and has had a diverse career since then. She spent 10 years in the non-profit industry before specializing in business management. Julie has a background of providing exceptional client services, creating a vibrant work environment, and problem solving to find the most efficient processes. Julie’s management style is to lead by example and inspire employees through foresight and compassion.
Outside of the office, Julie enjoys walking, hiking and SUP in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. At home, she loves reading and watching movies with her family.
Managers
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Amy Hardman, CPA
Amy has been with Van Beek & Co since 2013. She graduated summa cum laude from Portland State University with a B.S. Degree in Accounting.
Outside of the office, Amy enjoys spending time in her sewing room making quilts and other fun things, accompanied by her ever helpful/mischievous kitties, Ellie and Penny (and if a Parks & Recreation or Harry Potter marathon is playing, all the better).
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Christine Chen, CPA
Christine graduated from Portland State University in June 2017 with a B.S. degree in Accounting and joined the firm in October 2017. She earned her first Bachelor’s degree in Investment from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in China, where she also spent three years gaining experience by working at difference positions in the banking industry before moving to the USA in 2014 and found her interest in accounting.
Outside of work, Christine enjoys spending time with her family and explores more interesting and beautiful places around the town.
Connect with Christine via LinkedIn
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Tamara Ward, CPA
Tamara previously worked at Van Beek & Co from 1997-2004 before spending sixteen years in corporate tax accounting at Nike. She returned to the firm in 2023 where her private accounting and corporate tax experience has been an invaluable resource for our clients. Tamara has a B.S. in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University and has been a licensed CPA since 1999.
Tamara enjoys untangling challenging reconciliations, as well as researching and applying complex US GAAP rules and tax regulations, with particular expertise in corporate tax accounting (ASC 740). She takes a pragmatic approach to applying the rules to each client’s unique circumstances, looking for solutions that are easy to understand and implement.
Outside of the office, Tamara enjoys reading and wine tasting, and watching Marvel movies with her husband and two kids.
Staff Accountants
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Rubi Lopez
Rubi began her journey with Van Beek & Co. as an intern in 2022. In 2023, she transitioned into a full-time role as a Staff Accountant.
Rubi holds a B.S. degree in accounting from Portland State University and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Taxation, with an expected graduation in 2026.
Outside of the office, Rubi enjoys spending time with her husband and their dogs, getting lost in a good book, and tackling challenging puzzles.
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Devora Gutierrez
Devora graduated from Portland State University with a B.A. in Accounting and a Master’s in Taxation. She began working at Van Beek in 2023, prior to that she has been handling the office and accounting aspects of her small family business since 2012. Devora believes in embracing challenges and failures as opportunities for growth, focusing on the learning process.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends whether it’s going camping, throwing birthday parties for her 3 kids, watching movies, or going bike riding in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
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Tamara Smith, LTP
Tamara joined the firm in 2024, bringing over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry with a strong focus on contract compliance review. She holds a B.S. degree from Portland State University and is a licensed Oregon Tax Preparer. Currently, Tamara is expanding her expertise by pursuing her Enrolled Agent certification through the IRS. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her adorable rescue pup, Oliver.
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Benjamin Pierson
Benjamin holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in History and German from San Marcos State University in California. In 2019, he relocated to Portland to be closer to family and later pursued a degree in Accounting from Portland State University. He began his career in industry in 2022 before transitioning into public accounting.
Outside of work, Benjamin enjoys watching movies with his wife and their labradoodle, as well as scuba diving when traveling.
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Yuri Petrovskiy
Yuri began his career with Van Beek & Co. in 2024 as a Staff Accountant after graduating from Portland State University with a degree in Accounting. He’s in the process of earning his CPA license and values being part of a collaborative team that supports both clients and colleagues.
Outside of the office, Yuri enjoys dining out with his wife, and spending sunny days out on the golf course.
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John Roe
John joined Van Beek & Co. in January of 2025 as a tax intern before joining the team full time. He is currently finishing up his degree in accounting at Portland State and then intends to prepare for his CPA exams.
Outside of work John enjoys spending time baking and cooking, a hobby he picked up during Covid, and more recent interest, cycling.
Administrative Team
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Jann Burke
Office ManagerJann is our current Office Manager, although she joined the Firm in 2013 as an Administrative Coordinator. She earned her A.S. in Office Administration from Portland Community College and while her kids were little, she became the owner/operator of Aunt Jann’s Family Daycare. Additional experience as an Office Manager for a wireless internet company and an Event Manager for Costco roadshows has led to her success at Van Beek.
In her free time, Jann enjoys exploring the forests of Oregon and Washington to discover new spots for dispersed camping.
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Mary McGuirt
Administrative Assistant, Tax Caddy CoordinatorMary joined the team at Van Beek in 2024 and works in a hybrid role, contributing to both administrative operations and accounting responsibilities. With a B.S. in Computer Science, she brings a strong foundation in logic and problem-solving to her accounting work. She’s eager to continue learning and growing in the field as she pursues a long-term career in accounting.
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Mary has a deep appreciation for its natural beauty. When she’s not at work, she enjoys exploring, painting, cooking, singing, and spending time with her husband and their beloved cat, Annabelle.
Consultants
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Dave Brookens, CPA
Dave joined the firm in 1995 and served as Firm partner from 1995-2024. He is currently providing his knowledge and expertise to the firm and the firm’s clients as a consultant. Prior to coming to the firm, Dave earned his B.S. in Accounting from Oregon State University, and worked at Price Waterhouse as a Senior Tax Manager from 1986-1995.
Dave takes a creative approach to his mastery of the tax code, which ultimately creates unique opportunities for our tax clients. He has come to specialize in transition work that includes mergers and acquisitions, transition planning, and personalized assistance with financial and banking relationships.
Dave has also become a valuable resource for tax professionals outside of the firm due to his distinct abilities and common sense approach to problem solving.
In his free time, Dave enjoys golfing and travel.
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Stephen Holden, CPA
Steve joined the firm in 1992 after a five-year stint at Mos Adams in Yakima, Washington. He served as Firm partner from 2014-2024. He holds a B.A. in Accounting from Washington State University and has spent his career focused on both tax and audit. His expertise remains a valuable resource, both to the firm and our clients.
When Steve is not crunching numbers, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, kayaking, traveling, gardening, mushroom hunting, biking, CrossFit, and microbrews (more specifically Hazy IPAs).
