Most CPAs follow a traditional career route that ends with a focus on one particular aspect of the job. For some, it’s taxes. For others, it’s budget analysis. For Lloyd Fillis, it has been all of the above and so much more.

“When our clients need a treasurer, a CFO, an accountant, or solid advice from a trusted resource, they call us,” Fillis said when asked why people turn to him and DTBCPA. “Whether it’s a tax return or financial guidance and accounting, the more I work with my clients the more they realize how much we can do for them.”

Lloyd has always been the preeminent CPA who does it all, from finance for hire and fractional CFO options.

“I’m proud to be a complete financial resource for all of my clients at DTBCPA,” he added. “It’s all about fulfilling my client’s needs with integrity and experience. It’s an honor to help them through the things they cannot do on their own.”

Lloyd came to DTBCPA in early 2023. Prior to his position as an acting partner, he spent nearly two decades leading corporate institutions in roles such as treasurer and CFO.

Outside numbers and spreadsheets, Lloyd enjoys triathlons, traveling, hiking, camping and biking, as well as mission trips whenever possible. He and his wife of over three decades have five children.

The idea of a personal touch in public accounting may be disappearing with the advent of online everything, but not at DTBCPA — especially with Shannon Bailey, one of its longest-standing partners, helping lead the way. She’s a firm believer in client-focused accounting, auditing, and assurance.

“I feel there is still a personal touch that others lack,” Bailey said about DTBCPA. “If you’re my client, you can call and talk to me. You won’t talk to someone out of the country or a computer.”

According to Shannon, who started her career in Salem, Oregon, in 2001, DTBCPA takes care of every client’s business needs, from taxes and planning to compliance, bookkeeping, payroll, and more. That includes helping prepare and plan all year long for each year’s tax liabilities and opportunities, as well as future success. DTBCPA clients are encouraged to call with questions about loans, banks, and everything in between.

“We don’t like surprises. Neither do our clients,” Shannon explained. “The DTBCPA team is a part of our client’s team. This makes us different. It’s worth the extra time and cost. It all adds up to huge savings and service for every DTBCPA client. I love to help people solve problems. They can hand it off and DTBCPA will take care of it.”

Shannon holds a BA in Accounting and a Master of Science in Taxation, as well as CPA certification. She and her husband of 22 years enjoy traveling and outdoor Montana adventures with their three daughters. Those outdoor excursions often include hikes, kayaking, or some other form of family fun.

Derek Toren has been in public accounting since 1997. For those doing the math, that’s nearly 30 years of dedicated service to his clients as well as his career. That’s impressive. Equally impressive is how he has worked with DTBCPA clients since 2010 to ensure their continued success.

“At DTBCPA, we provide tax planning and compliance services that businesses need throughout their entire business life cycle,” Toren answered when asked why clients choose DTBCPA. “We are a good, proactive resource to help them make personal and business decisions.”

Derek began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, and Arthur Andersen, LLP in Portland, Oregon. He prides himself on his professionalism, years of experience, and the fact he and his team are not just number-takers.

“We could just take orders, but we’re far more strategic than that. We’re partners who listen to what the business needs and help them formulate a plan based on possible outcomes and perceived goals. Numbers in boxes are important, and we are good at it. We’re also good at formulating plans for various industries.”

Including an accounting degree, Derek also holds a minor in French. As a CPA, he enjoys the challenges and the differences each day brings.

Derek has been happily married for nearly 30 years. He and his wife have three daughters. Together, they like to travel, spend summers at a nearby lake, bike, and more. Whenever he has the time, you’ll find him fly fishing local rivers and streams along with wake surfing at the lake.

Sheri is one of the best production administrators around. Since joining the DTBCPA team in 2023, she’s quickly earned the title of “Jill of all trades” from her fellow employees and clients alike.

“My role varies from client communications, information gathering, bookkeeping, payroll, and process improvement projects.”

Outside of work, she enjoys baking, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

When Lisa joined the DTBCPA team, both her future clients and those she works with every day got something special. This professional is dedicated to helping individuals and business owners with their tax planning and tax compliance needs.

“I enjoy helping small business owners with any issues and questions that arise throughout the year.”

Lisa has a passion for traveling and enjoying the region’s hiking trails and lakes.

With 20+ years of experience, Alyssa is a key member of the DTBCPA team. Her skills include keeping books, training clients to do their own bookkeeping, processing payrolls, troubleshooting, and anything else her clients need.

“I enjoy solving problems and looking for new, efficient ways to improve processes. I’m committed to working hard and doing my best every day.”

Alyssa stays busy by fishing, hiking, playing pickleball, horseback riding, skating, and skiing, as well as pursuing her daughter’s passions.

DTBCPA is filled with dedicated professionals who want to help their clients. But none love helping resolve tax questions and issues as much as Cathy. She’s a self-described 100% tax geek.

“I love to learn and have significant tax experience and knowledge. I look for opportunities to help our clients.”

In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, fishing, and traveling.

DTBCPA team members look for ways to be useful to their clients and coworkers. For Carson, who is currently finishing his undergraduate degree, that includes smaller tasks and any other projects to help minimize workloads. As he sees it, nobody should be stuck at their desk 24/7.

“I also will be here to learn from everyone and grow my knowledge as an accountant.”

Carson is working toward becoming a licensed CPA.

As a Montana native, Nichole has grown her career in accounting at various firms across the state. She joined the DTBCPA team in 2013 and has not looked back.

When asked what she enjoys about her position at DTBCPA, she stated, “Preparing tax returns, assisting clients with tax planning or account issues.”

Outside the office, Nichole is an avid camper, hiker, and swimmer who likes to spend time with family and friends.

The world of accounting needs more professionals like Lyn. DTBCPA is lucky to have this dedicated individual on our team.

Lyn says that she enjoys “helping with tax preparation, IRS notices, financial statements, etc.”

At home, Lyn enjoys photography and has tried fostering kittens for the local Humane Society.

As one of DTBCPA’s do-whatever-they-need production assistants, Melanie appreciates the positive work environment and variety of people and businesses she gets to help every day.

“I primarily assist Derek Toren and his clients with whatever they need.”

When she’s not helping DTBCPA clients, she and her husband, three daughters, and two dogs can be found at youth sporting events or exploring the natural wonders of the Flathead Valley.

Rene comes from the land down under and says she will not lose my accent anytime soon.

She has been employed with DTB as a staff accountant since early 2022, working primarily on individual 1040 returns. Reneee always enjoys anything that involved numbers and wants the best return for DTB clients.

She loves the outdoors, (not so keen on the winter months) and enjoys gardening. She is known in the office as the plant lady, due to the abundance of greenery in her office.

Also Renee is a lover of good coffee, restaurants with views and all water sports.

Laura started her career in public accounting in 2013 and has primarily focused on the intricacies of business and individual taxation and tax planning.

Her favorite part about what she does is developing and maintaining lasting relationships with her clients and utilizing her knowledge to help them maximize tax savings.

A lifelong Montanan, she is usually found enjoying the outdoors with her family and her dog.

Rachel spends her time at DTB preparing tax returns for both individuals and business entities.

Her personality is reinforced at work as she enjoys the process of figuring out taxation issues and accounting puzzles for both clients and co-workers.

In her spare time, Rachel enjoys playing board games with family and friends along with gardening and baking. During the warmer months you’ll find her paddle boarding and kayaking the local rivers and lakes.