My name is Denné Ahlefeld. I was born and raised in the Kootenays. I grew up and went to school in Cranbrook where my parents still reside. My husband was born and raised in Creston.

I gained my first public accounting experience in Calgary, Alberta. I first worked in a small accounting firm where I learned the ropes of being in public practise. My clientele included a variety of businesses, individuals, professionals, trusts, corporations and partnerships. I was responsible for everything regarding those clients, including preparing bookkeeping from a crate of receipts all the way up to drafting the business financial statements and related tax returns.

I left after three years and went to work at a law firm which specialized in taxation matters. There I worked my way up from intermediate accountant to senior tax accountant and then to supervisor of several junior level staff. My clientele included a variety of differing businesses such as oil and gas, doctors & dentists, professional hockey players, small business etc. We worked with individuals, corporations and other entities with a high net worth to incorporate intricate tax planning as well as proper accounting priciples and procedures. After being with the firm for 8 years I moved to Creston to be closer to family, while still working for the law firm in Calgary over the internet. During that time I also lived in Bangkok, Thailand for 2 months where I trained foreign staff in bookkeeping procedures.

During 2009 I decided to part ways with the law firm, my plan being to take several months off, and then to pursue obtaining clients in the Kootenays. During November of 2009 it came to my attention that a small accounting/bookkeeping business was for sale in Creston. December saw me negotiating the terms of my purchase and takeover of “Leben’s Accounting” located on main street in downtown Creston. The transition went well and I obtained and kept many wonderful local (and otherwise) clients. Then between January and May of 2011 I entered into negotiations to purchase and takeover “Erickson Office Works” as well. The transition of that purchase has also been a smooth one, with some nice new clients rounding out my client list.

I have been operating both businesses under “Denné Ahlefeld, CGA”. My business currently employs a full time receptionist/bookkeeper, a part time junior accountant/bookkeeper, a part time tax return preparer and a part time receptionist/administrative assistant. The services we offer include: bookkeeping, payroll services (including T4 preparation), GST/HST Return preparation, year-end accounting and financial statement preparation, corporate tax return preparation, and personal tax return preparation (both Canadian and U.S.).

We regularly work with a handful of professionals we trust and would recommend to our own clients. Those individuals include investment advisors, lawyers, a notary public and a trusted local bookkeeper.