Rick Steele, CPA/PFS, CFP
Rick was born and raised in North Liberty, Indiana. The son of a tax preparer, Rick began
helping his father with tax returns when he was in high school. He received his accounting
degree from Indiana University at Bloomington in 1977. He began his professional career
as an office auditor for the Internal Revenue Service from 1977 to early 1979. In 1980 he
moved to Bellingham, becoming certified in 1981. After serving as partner in another local
firm, Rick founded this firm in 1989.
Rick brings to the firm an extensive background in income tax preparation and planning,
focusing on corporate, estate/trust and individual taxation.
After many client requests for specific advice, Rick established Steele Financial Services,
Inc. in 1999. Rick is a Certified Financial Planner (tm) and holds Series 6, 7 and 63 Securities Licenses. In addition, he holds life and
disability insurance licenses. Check out his personal HD Vest website as well as Steele Financial Services website. Says Rick, "I am
excited to carry on this financial services heritage from my grandfather and father. Grandpa
Steele was a banker and had his own insurance agency. Dad was a taxman and continued
with his father's insurance agency. Steele Financial Services, Inc. is such a natural
direction based on my Steele lineage."
Jim Saur, CPA
Jim has returned to Bellingham after five years in Arizona. Jim had his own accounting and tax practice in Arizona and returned to Washington to be closer to family. Jim was also a partner with Borgstrom, Anda and Saur in Bellingham for over 25 years. In fact, Jim and Rick worked together from 1980 through 1989.
Jim has an extensive background in income tax planning and preparation for corporations, partnerships, trusts and individuals. He has extensive experience in the following industries: construction, retail, manufacturing and services. In addition, Jim has served on several not for profit agency boards in different capacities.
Sara Williams, Accounting Services Manager
Sara is our accounting services manager and has been with the firm for over 18 years. She can help you set up your payroll, or handle it for you. Sara has been trained in using Quickbooks and Quicken.
Miranda Petersen, CFS
Para-planner for Steele Financial Services, Inc.
Miranda moved to Bellingham with her family in 1994 when her dad retired from the Coast Guard. "Bellingham is by far the best place we have ever lived." She attended Sehome HS and began taking college courses her junior year through Running Start. Miranda graduated from Whatcom Community College with honors and received two Associates Degrees before transferring to Western Washington University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. Her hobbies include cooking, watching Food Network, and remodeling her house.
Gloria Bourgo, Bookkeeper
Gloria is a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor and has over 10 years of accounting experience, from Accounts Payable & Receivable to
Payroll & Taxes. She can help you set up your files for your use or she can take care of the
payroll, bookkeeping, and even the taxes for you. She has been a Ferndale resident for the
last 8 years with her 2 children. She enjoys volunteering with the local Boy Scout
organizations and also with the High School Color Guard and Marching Band.
Nicole Geertsma, Reception
Nicole joined our team in December, but is anxious to meet our great clients. Please stop by and introduce yourself when you are in the neighborhood.
STEELE and Co. CPA PS