Meet The Jeff Baker & Associates Team

Nicole’s passion for her work and commitment to empowering both clients and her team at JBA radiates in everything she does. With a wealth of business experience, she engages in deep client relationships and devises practical, impactful solutions, driving success and goal attainment for clients. An advocate for personal and professional growth, Nicole not only contributes to the wider industry but also fosters the development of her team, nurturing future leaders. Her dedication extends to the community, where she actively participates in various organizations and assumes leadership roles, truly embodying the spirit of service and collaboration.

Fun Fact: Used to Fight in the Boys Division in Karate Tournaments

Email: Nicole@jbacpa.net

Rick Peterson’s journey in the world of tax and accounting began at the University of Puget Sound, setting the stage for a remarkable career spanning over four decades. As a seasoned professional, Rick’s expertise extends across taxation, accounting, and a broad spectrum of CPA advisory services. His deep understanding of the field is further enhanced by specialized certifications in personal financial planning and partnership taxation. Rick’s passion for the profession and his commitment to excellence make him  a trusted advisor and a cornerstone in the firm’s success.

Fun Fact: He is a Brown Belt in Karate

Email: Rick@jbacpa.net

As CEO of a leading CPA firm, Jeff Baker combines his passion for the industry with his love for golf, often drawing parallels between the strategic nuances of the sport and business management. Licensed in Washington, Jeff’s journey in accounting began at the University of Washington and Seattle University’s Business Schools, followed by advanced taxation studies at Golden Gate University. His expertise is further highlighted by certificates in personal financial planning and partnership taxation from the AICPA. A proud member of the AICPA and the Washington Society of CPAs, Jeff’s true legacy lies in nurturing the firm’s next generation of leaders, ensuring a legacy of excellence.

Fun Fact: Jeff is an avid golfer

Email: jeff@jbacpa.net

Manda earned her Bachelor’s of Business Administration with an Accounting focus from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. Her expertise includes more than a decade in individual and business taxation, complemented by over five years of experience in IRS and state tax agency representation. She takes pleasure in helping clients grow their businesses, support their families, and enrich their communities.

Fun Fact: Manda understands just enough Russian to not need subtitles for the Russian spoken in James Bond and Marvel movies.

Fun Fact: Simon enjoys hiking, and has completed the Enchantments Traverse, known as one of Washington State’s Challenging day hikes.

Outside of deadlines and spreadsheets, Kevin believes great accounting is about trust, consistency, and helping people make better decisions.

Megan is preparing to graduate from Western Governors University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting. After graduation, she plans to pursue EA licensure. As a lifelong Tacoma resident, she is driven to use her knowledge and expertise in bookkeeping to support hardworking people in our small business community.

Fun Fact: Megan is passionate about art history and enjoys visiting Tacoma’s museums.

Tanner holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arizona State University and brings extensive experience in accounting and taxation across a wide range of industries. He is driven by a passion for helping clients navigate the complexities of the tax world and providing clear, reliable guidance tailored to their needs.

Fun Fact: Tanner enjoys playing golf and achieved a hole-in-one in 2019 on a 159-yard par 3.

Fun Fact: Caroline loves to write and discuss poetry.

Email: Caroline@jbacpa.net

April, an alumnus of Northern Vermont University, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Administration. With her vast expertise in diverse individual and business tax matters, financial statement preparation, and attest engagements, she is a valuable asset to our team. April is passionate about empowering clients, aiding them in achieving their personal and professional goals. April is involved in her community as a board member and volunteer in the, as well as in other community programs and events.

Jeff Jackson has practiced accounting since 2007 and earned his CPA credentials in 2011. For over a decade, his area of focus has been in accounting and taxation. After graduating from the University of Arizona in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting.

Fun Fact:  Jeff spent two years as an United States Peace Corps Volunteer and taught micro-finance (community banking) on the coast of Ecuador while also starting an after school youth group centered around baseball.

Robin S. Wittum started her accounting career with the accounting firm of Grossman Weinstein LLP in Northbrook, IL in 1994. During that time, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Phoenix. Robin’s experience includes individuals, real estate partnerships, corporations and high net-worth individuals.

Fun Fact: Robin is a total technology Geek!

Gerard holds a Master’s degree in Taxation from SUNY Old Westbury and brings extensive experience in serving clients across diverse industries with a focus on Real Estate. Gerard is committed to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional client service.

Fun Fact: Gerard sings, plays guitar and writes original music.

Tanya was born and raised in Federal Way and lived in the Seattle – Tacoma area all her life. Tanya graduated from Highline College in 2017 with an Associate of Business and the University of Washington – Tacoma in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Accounting. She has been working as an accountant ever since. Tanya is committed to making sure that every client is given the personal attention and care they deserve!

Fun Fact: Outside of the accounting world, Tanya enjoys and dabbles in photography

Connor is from the Gig Harbor area and has always had a fascination with numbers. He loves solving and working through puzzles which has kept the world of taxes a fun mental activity. Graduating from Pacific Lutheran University in 2025 with a Bachelors in Accounting and a minor in Economics, Connor is planning on studying for and sitting for the CPA test in the near future.

Fun Fact: Connor was considering going into film editing / cinematography before landing on accounting

Originally from Yakima, WA, Elyse graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management. With a passion for helping others, she is committed to making a positive impact through her work and building meaningful relationships. Elyse thrives on using her skills to contribute to the success of the team and support the firm’s growth and goals. Outside of work, Elyse enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and watching romcoms. She also cherishes spending quality time with her friends and family, creating lasting memories together

Fun Fact: Elyse has experienced the thrill of skydiving and can’t wait for her next jump!

Taylor has a Bachelor of Science degree in Administrative Management and IT
from Central Washington University. She is always ready for new challenges and
expanding her education. She also loves spending time with her family and her dog.

Fun Fact: Taylor loves to craft and create fun pet portraits!

Sabrina has spent the past six years working in client relations and administrative roles, where she loves helping people and making sure clients have a great experience. She takes pride in providing strong customer service and enjoys building connections with others every day. She’s shy a year of doing CPA Admin work & enjoys it very much! When she’s not working, Sabrina is a busy mom of 5 and always on the go driving her kids to sports and cheering them on from the sidelines. She enjoys staying active, keeping life organized, and balancing all the chaos!

Fun Fact: Sabrina enjoys boot scootin & dancing on the her free time!

Shelby is a Client Coordinator at JBA, where she brings strong communication skills, a positive mindset, and a commitment to client service. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she later moved to Arizona to attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, earning her bachelor’s degree in Communications.

Before joining JBA, Shelby worked as a personal trainer, where she motivated and inspired individuals to reach their goals. She now applies that same energy and drive to her role in the accounting field, supporting clients and helping ensure smooth, professional service experiences.

Outside of work, Shelby enjoys spending time with her dogs, family, and friends, and continues to stay active through her love of fitness.

Fun Fact: Shelby ran a half marathon in July 2024 and is training to run her first full marathon in the 2025-2026 year.

Passionate about helping others and making a positive impact, Lyric is excited to continue growing professionally as she builds her career in the business field.

Fun Fact: Lyric is a huge fan of live music, especially country concerts. She loves the energy and connection that comes with seeing her favorite artists perform in person, and she’s always on the lookout for her next great concert experience!