About our Firm
Background
Oster Professional Group, CPA's (OPG) operates two offices located in the eastern Oregon communities of John Day and Burns. OPG offers a well balanced mix of services divided between taxation, audit, accounting and advisory services. See "Services" for more detail.
OPG performs audits for numerous Oregon counties, cities, school districts, and other private and quasi-public entities. The accounting and advisory component of the practice focuses primarily on agriculture, timber, and wood products industries, but includes a broad spectrum of other businesses, including retail. The tax portion of the practice is significantly linked to the accounting and advisory services and includes a large number of individual and business tax clients.
History
OPG was first established in Burns, Oregon in 1963 by Arlie W. Oster and operated under four other partnerships before forming Oster and Arntz in 1989, predecessor to OPG. In December 1991 the John Day office was opened to serve a growing client base in Grant County, Oregon. The corporation was formed on June 1, 1992 to facilitate the orderly transition of firm ownership. On January 1, 1993, Robert M. Armstrong ang George W. Wilber acquired 100 percent of all outstanding shares of stock of the corporation, one half each. Mr. Oster continued to serve the firm as a consultant and employee until his death in 1998. On January 1, 1997, OPG purchased the John Day accounting practice of David W. Freeman, CPA, PC. Mr. Freeman continued to serve the firm as a consultant and employee until his departure on January 5, 2002.
Mission
The philosophy of Oster Professional Group, CPA's is one of quality service, based on knowledge and personal attention. We take pride in the belief that no client is too small to benefit from our services, yet we have the experience and personnel to accommodate the needs of many larger, growing clients and their companies.
The shareholders and professional team members of the firm are involved in a continuing program of professional education that exceeds Oregon's State Board of Accountancy requirements. The program includes seminars of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants, and other recognized groups.
All shareholders are active members of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, they are both licensed Oregon Municipal Auditors.
We recognize that our clients want and need more than just knowledge from their accounting firm. This is where OPG's personal attention comes in. We acknowledge that no one of our clients is more important than another. Each are unique and deserve the attention necessary to address those uniquenesses. We attempt to provide this attention in a manner that expresses love and compassion for all.
OPG will be the CPA firm of choice, thriving in a complex and challenging environment. We will design pathways to success for our clients, team members, and investors, one opportunity at a time.
OPG will build value by:
Displaying a passion for excellent client service.
Providing the knowledge to translate critical information into systems for success.
Linking clients and team members through relationships of integrity and trust.
Our Team
George W. Wilber, CPA, MS, Partner, Burns Office
Experienced accounting professional, emphasizing agriculture, government, and tourism. Experienced in individual, corporate, and partnership tax planning and preparation. More than twenty years experience in financial management and audit for operations with assets to $200 million prior to becoming a CPA. Experienced in audit of private, public, and quasi-public organizations.
Certified Public Accountant, 1992. Master of Public Affairs Finance, University of Oregon, 1989. Bachelor of Arts Business Administration, Seattle University, 1971.
Robert M. Armstrong, CPA, Partner, John Day Office
Experienced accounting professional emphazing small business services, technology, and government. Eleven years experience in a variety of practical accounting applications for corporate and small business environments prior to becoming a CPA. Experienced in municipal and small business auditing; corporate, partnership and individual tax planning and preparation.
Certified Public Accountant, 1992. Associates of Arts Biblical Studies, Nazarene Bible College, 1984. Bachelor of Science Business Administration, Southern Oregon University, 1981.
Dan Hobson, CPA, Project Leader, John Day Office
Doreen Woodworth, Office Manager, Burns Office
Lauri Armstrong, Office Manager, John Day Office
Nancy Oster-Courtney, Accountant, Burns Office
Mary Jo Evers, Accountant, Burns Office
Emilie Glascock, Accounting Clerk, Burns Office
Teddy Choate, Accounting Clerk, Burns Office
Tammy Gini, Financial Advisor, Burns Office
