Camas CPA half of ‘community minded couple’

Dave DePonceau provides tax preparation and planning services

By Dawn Feldhaus
January 25, 2018 5:30 am
Business

Dave and Deanna DePonceau, along with their official office greeter, Sophie, work in a remodeled 1920s-era, craftsman-style house in downtown Camas. Dave owns DePonceau & Associates Certified Public Accountant & Business Advisors, a practice that provides tax preparation and planning services for businesses, estates, trusts and individuals.

A former California couple has relocated their tax practice from California and become part of the Camas community.

Dave and Deanna DePonceau work out of a remodeled 1920s-era, craftsman-style house at 536 N.E. Second Ave., in downtown Camas. Dave owns DePonceau & Associates Certified Public Accountant & Business Advisors, while Deanna manages the office.

The interior of the house was gutted a few months after the DePonceaus purchased it in the spring of 2016.

The couple hired a contractor, but said they did most of the demolition themselves.

“It took seven months to rehab it,” Dave said.

The stairs were ripped out, and heating and air conditioning were added to the second floor.

Improvements were also made outside the office. The DePonceaus and their two teenage sons built nine raised beds for a garden in the backyard. They have harvested carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce.

An ADA ramp was added to the exterior entrance of the house. The bathroom has also been made handicapped accessible, and it includes a shower.

“Sometimes during the tax season, the hours are kind of long,” Deanna said, explaining the usefulness of a shower in the office.

Dave, a certified public accountant for 22 years, provides tax preparation and planning services for individuals, businesses, estates and trusts. As a business advisor, he answers questions about the best tax structure, cash flow and expense levels.

Dave’s goal was to create an office that was “not too stuffy.” That mission was accomplished with an eclectic mix of decor including a stuffed minion character named Dave (from the “Despicable Me” and “Minions” movies), wearing a Portland Winterhawks hat.

The minion, a gift from Dani, one of the Deponceau’s foreign exchange “daughters” from Chile, is located on a shelf behind the CPA’s desk. The DePonceaus have also hosted exchange students from Germany and Denmark.

Dave and Deanna moved from San Ramon, California to Camas in June of 2015. Dave started DePonceau & Associates in 2006 in San Ramon, to service the accounting and tax needs of local small businesses and individuals.

He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the State University of New York at Fredonia, and a master’s degree in taxation from Golden Gate University, in San Francisco.

Dave and Deanna met at a dog park in the Bay area of California, in 1999. They eloped in Seattle 84 days later.

Since moving to Camas, the DePonceaus have volunteered at the downtown Camas car show and “Hometown Holidays” Christmas tree lighting event. They hope to participate in additional local events.

For more information about Deponceau & Associates Certified Public Accountant & Business Advisors, call 360-844-6338, email dave@deponceau.com or visit www.deponceau.com.

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