About Us

Dedicated to serving you and your unique needs, whether we are preparing your taxes or helping you reach that revenue milestone.

We are the experts in our field, so that you can be the expert in yours. The opportunity to build relationships, provide valuable insights, and help our clients reach measurable goals - thats our bread and butter.

We are here as a trusted resource for you to lean on, because we know the hard work it takes to pursue your passion. We are committed to helping you develop a meaningful plan that will see you through to the success you deserve.

Meet the Team

The Shields team is made up of people with the experience to get the job done right. We strive to keep everything simple. No industry jargon, no meaningless form numbers, and no wishy-washy answers. We value transparency and being a trusted resource for our clients.

Managing Member, CPA

Travis Richardson

  • Travis entered the industry in 2004. He has been providing tax and accounting services to individuals and businesses from the time he took over at Shields in 2008. Growing up with his dad who owned a business, Travis is passionate about helping businesses who are looking to improve. His favorite thing is providing relief from the common overwhelm business owners feel, and that is why he and his team have developed accounting and tax services that do just that. When he isn't working, you might find him mountain biking or enjoying quality time with his wife and kids.

  • Licensed CPA with a Bachelors Degree from nationally renowned School of Accountancy at BYU Marriott, and Member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).

  • His Team. Each team member comes with unique experience and strengths which he is able to leverage providing clients with the best service possible.

Director of Accounting & Advisory Services, CPA

Chad Stewart

  • Chad began his career as an auditor in 2016 and brought those skills to Shields in 2020. He manages the accounting services, and is passionate about using his expertise to help businesses save money. In 2022, Chad helped a client save $25,000 in taxes annually by encouraging them to change entity status after doing an in-depth data analysis for their business. When he isn't diving deep into numbers for his clients and supporting his team, as they do they same, Chad loves to cheer on the Trail Blazers, and spend time in the outdoors with his wife and kids.

  • Licensed CPA with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting.

  • Data Analysis. Looking at the relationship between numbers and day-to-day operations, then turning the numbers into meaningful insights.

Wendy Falls

  • Wendy has worked in the industry since 2005 and Shields since 2013. Wendy loves a puzzle, and helping clients navigate the complex and ever-changing tax system is exactly that. When she isn't getting people's taxes in order, she loves watching the Seahawks, doing “actual” puzzles, and spending time with her family.

  • Enrolled Agent (EA), Licensed Tax Consultant (LTC)

  • Solving complicated tax puzzles.

Tax Specialist, EA

Ben Starnes

Tax Accountant

  • Ben has been with Shields since 2017. He loves problem solving. Whether it's working through software issues or getting a client's tax return on the right track, he always finds satisfaction when things comes together.

    When he isn’t in the office you can find Ben kayaking, riding motorcycles, or making a delicious meal while enjoying a show.

  • Pursuing to become an Enrolled Agent (EA)

  • Being a Jack of All Trades. Working his way up in the business, Ben has worn many hats and has a wide variety of knowledge that stretches between departments, giving him a unique perspective in how he can best serve clients.

Derrick Tomlinson

Accountant

  • Derrick joined the Shields team as an intern in 2020, and the rest is history. He is a talented accountant with a knack for clean-up projects and solving payroll issues. He loves helping people better understand their businesses with accurate and relevant information. When he isn’t at work, Derrick loves writing and has a background in blogging. He also loves racquetball and exploring the outdoors.

  • Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, QuickBooks Online Certified

  • Solving challenging payroll issues.

Kaile Bicker

Accountant

  • Kaile has been with Shields since 2015 and loves being able to use her love of numbers and organization to help clients behind the scenes so they can focus on their business. When she isn’t working, Kaile is enjoying time in her garden, baking, being a mom, and making extraneous spreadsheets for daily life.

  • Bachelors Degree and QuickBooks Online Certified.

  • Being efficient.

Existing to help business owners find harmony between work & life.

On a beautiful fall Tuesday in 1985, Travis Richardson’s dad spent the day on a river fishing. Owning his own business, he had the flexibility to enjoy a fulfilling life with his family outside the office. He worked hard to provide but was also determined not to sacrifice time spent together.

When Travis purchased Shields Tax Service from Jeanie Shields in 2008, he was thinking of the life his dad had created. Travis also wanted to create a business that provided harmony between work and life. He wanted to provide for his family and provide opportunities for others who shared the same goals.

Passionate about entrepreneurship, Travis and his team have been diligently providing services that make a real difference to business owners. They are devoted to helping other business owners find success without all the stress.

Travis knows that without the right support, it can be impossible for business owners to find work-life harmony. That is why he has been serving as a trusted resource to his clients since day one. Shields Tax & CPA has been built to manage your accounting and taxes, so that you can spend your time doing what you love.

What will you do with your extra time?

Stop spending valuable hours on accounting and taxes. We’ve got you covered. We are experts in our field so you can get back to doing what you love.