Co-Founder
Jonathan G. Howell, CPA
Jon graduated from Willamette University with a Bachelor's Degree and a triple major in German Language, International Studies and Political Science. During this time he completed a year as an exchange student, studying Economics and German
at Ludwig Maximilian's University, in Munich, Germany. He later earned a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting and a Master's Degree in Taxation from Portland State University.
Jon has extensive experience providing services to employee benefit plans, both administration and audit, franchise restaurants, retailers, professional service companies, medical practitioners, investment real estate, real estate brokers, financial services
companies, and serves as the partner-in-charge of the Firm's Audit and Accounting Practice, which includes audits of privately held businesses, Employee Benefits Plans, and Nonprofit organizations.
Jon has served as Audit partner at local CPA firms in Portland since 1997. In 2020, Jon co-founded Howell Straczek LLC.
Jon is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), licensed in Oregon. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Jon serves on the Oregon Board of Accountancy’s Peer Review Oversight Committee and is an Audit continuing
education instructor for the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants. He also serves on the Budget Committees of the Lake Grove Fire District and the Southwood Park Water District. He is a past adjunct accounting faculty member
of Portland State University’s School of Business where he taught Advanced Accounting: Business Consolidations and Advanced Taxation. He previously served on the AICPA Employee Benefits Technical Resource Panel.
Phone: 503-387-5235
jhowell@howellstraczek.com
Co-Founder
Bart P. Straczek, CPA
Bart has more than twenty years of public accounting experience, serving public and private companies as well as high net worth individuals. He has experience working with a variety of industries including manufacturing, semi-conductor, consumer products,
technology, wholesale distribution, retail, energy, real estate, food processing and restaurant industries. Areas of expertise include business and individual taxation, ASC 740 provision for income taxes and tax financial reporting, accounting
periods and methods, and tax examination support.
Bart has previously worked with large international accounting firms. He started his career with RSM US where he grew to the rank of a Manager. In 2006, Bart joined Deloitte as a Tax Manager and later became a Tax Senior Manager. In 2012, Bart joined
Grant Thornton as a Tax Senior Manager, Portland Tax Practice Leader and in 2014 he was promoted to Managing Director, Portland Tax Practice Leader. In 2017, Bart became a Partner in a local firm of Houck Evarts and Company LLC. In 2020,
Bart co-founded Howell Straczek LLC.
Bart attended DePaul University in Chicago where he earned his degrees of Master of Science in Taxation and Bachelor of Science in Commerce with specialization in Accounting. Bart completed his undergraduate program with honors. He is a Certified Public
Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Phone: 503-387-5235
bstraczek@howellstraczek.com
Administrative and Firm’s Operations Specialist
Ashley P. Van
Ashley graduated from Portland State University in 2022, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and in 2023 her Master of Science in Finance with a certificate in Real Estate Investment and Finance.
During her time at Howell Straczek LLC, Ashley will provide client-focused administrative support, manage the firm’s internal accounting, coordinate schedules, handle correspondence, and maintain records to ensure smooth operations. As a reliable point of contact, she helps streamline communication and enhance the client experience with professionalism and attention to detail. Her goal is to support the team and clients with responsive, organized service that builds trust and efficiency.
Ashley is looking forward to working alongside and learning from the experienced and knowledgeable staff at Howell Straczek LLC.
Phone: 503-387-5235
avan@howellstraczek.com
Tax & Accounting Associate
Omar Manzano Gutierrez
Omar Manzano Gutiérrez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Accounting degree from Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, a Master of Science in Finance with a specialization in Financial Accounting from Panamerican University, and a Master of Business Administration from Portland State University.
Prior to joining the firm, he spent three years in the telecommunications and oil & gas sectors, serving in various roles including financial reporting, analysis, and internal accounting. He is experienced in US GAAP, Mexican GAAP, and IFRS, with a strong background in financial statement preparation, budgeting, fixed-asset analysis, accounts payable, and month-end reconciliations.
Omar has passed all four sections of the CPA Exam and is now focused on building his technical foundation through tax preparation, financial statement compilations, and employee benefit plan audits.
Phone: 503-387-5235
omanzano@howellstraczek.com
Senior Tax & Accounting Associate
Taylor M. Lotten, CPA
Taylor is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Oregon. Taylor has been a part of the Howell Straczek LLC team since 2022. Taylor earned her Bachelor of Science from Portland State University in 2020, double majoring in Accounting and Human Resource Management.
Taylor has experience across a wide range of tax services, including working with individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, and C- and S-corporations, along with tax provision services. Taylor also has audit and attestation experience, including Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) audits and financial statement compilations.
Taylor enjoys the challenges of public accounting and working closely with clients to navigate complex financial and compliance matters.
Phone: 503-387-5235
tlotten@howellstraczek.com
Tax & Accounting Associate
Qiqi Ma
Qiqi graduated from University of Oregon in 2023 with her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and went on to earn her Master of Accounting degree in 2024.
Following her graduation, Qiqi joined Howell Straczek LLC, where she works directly with clients to prepare individual, partnership, c-corporation, and s-corporation income tax returns. She is also assisting with financial statement compilations and employee benefit plan audits.
She is excited to learn from experienced team members and looking forward to contributing to the continued success of the team at Howell Straczek LLC.
Phone: 503-387-5235
qma@howellstraczek.com
Senior Tax & Accounting Associate
Benjamin T. Curtis, CPA
Ben is a Senior Tax and Accounting Associate at Howell Straczek, where he provides income tax compliance and GAAP-based financial reporting services for individuals, businesses, trusts, and estates.
His experience spans complex multi-state and local tax matters, GAAP financial statement preparation, and performance of reviews, compilations, and income tax provisions. Ben began his public accounting career in Texas in 2010 and transitioned into tax in 2015 after several years in client accounting and operational support.
Outside the office, he serves on the board of the Columbia River Outrigger Canoe Club and enjoys skiing in the Cascades, clamming on the Oregon coast, and competing in outrigger canoe races across the Pacific Northwest.
Phone: 503-387-5235
bcurtis@howellstraczek.com
