Our Team
We understand how frustrating it is to pay too much in taxes
or feel like you don’t have anyone in your corner to help.
Our team makes your tax & financial life simple so you have more time to focus on what you love.
Managing Partner
Kristal loves to partner with individuals and small businesses owners to help them work towards their financial goals to make a positive impact in their lives. She began her journey with Carter Schwartze as an intern in 2007 while getting her Masters Degree in Professional Accountancy from Central Washington University. On the personal side, she enjoys costuming, crafting, singing, and spending time with her friends and family, including her two young boys.
Tax Manager
Char started her career with the FBI, then worked in banking. She served in public accounting at Deloitte, Haskins, and Sells, pre-merger with Touche Ross. To be more present for her family, she shifted to a small accounting firm in Edmonds, and later established her own practice. For over three decades, she has enjoyed aiding clients and collaborating with excellent employees.
Tax Manager
Kimi’s CPA boss in the 90s inspired her by the way he helped people, so she graduated from the University of Washington School of Business and became a CPA herself. Her first job after graduating was at PricewaterhouseCoopers within their audit teams. She then found a home at Carter Schwartze where she had the flexibility to raise her children while doing what she was inspired to do – help people. In her free time, she enjoys photography, crafting, travelling, and watching movies.
Tax Director
Kathy's main area of focus is income tax for small businesses and individuals. She also has significant experience in accounting and bookkeeping, having worked many years in private industry. She spends her off-time pursuing her relationship with Jesus Christ and enjoying her family and the outdoors.
Tax Manager
Pamela rejoined the Carter Schwartze team in 2025 as a CPA in our Tax Department, after previously serving as our Accounting Department Manager until 2021. Now living in the San Antonio, Texas area and licensed in both Washington and Texas, her heart and roots are still Pacific Northwest through and through. She earned her Business Administration / Accounting degree from Southern Oregon University and has long enjoyed working with small businesses—including owning one with her husband from 2002 to 2017. When asked about what she loves about Carter Schwartze she easily answered “It’s rare when you find your place of work feeling like home. These people are like family, and I feel like I’ve come home.” Outside of work, she enjoys early morning prayer, gardening, and spending time with her husband of 32 years, their three children, and the family dog, Rocco.
Tax Manager
With nearly a decade of experience in complex tax planning and preparation, Oanh (O-wan) is a great resource for individuals and businesses and specializes in creative tax planning to help you maximize your tax savings. Oanh is knowledgeable, funny, and very patient—always happy to explain your options and answer any questions.
Tax Specialist
Leigh has spent most of her life in the Puget Sound area and is a UW graduate with a degree in Business Administration. (Go DAWGS!) Since joining Carter Schwartze in 2017, she has enjoyed meeting new clients while continuing to build relationships with our established clients. Away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, cooking and finding fun, new places to explore around the Sound.
Tax Specialist
With a background in tax preparation and bookkeeping spanning over 18 years, Guy has developed a solid foundation in financial services. Alongside this, his journey in the IT field for more than 25 years has equipped him with a broad range of technical skills.
Tax Specialist
Mike graduated from Washington State University in 2015 as an accounting major. He enjoys sports, movies, and music. He says the best part of Carter Schwartze, CPAs, is the team and the high level of service that they provide.
Accounting Services Coordinator
Sarah supports businesses through accurate bookkeeping, sales tax filings, and payroll administration. She takes pride in handling the details so business owners can focus on running and growing their businesses. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys the outdoors, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Accounting Specialist
Nicol has been working in bookkeeping, payroll administration and office management for over 20 years. She loves digging into the details, resolving problems and assisting our clients in anyway she can. Born and raised in Washington, she grew up loving the outdoors. In her free time, she loves to play tennis, paddleboard, hike, and work in the garden, as well as spending time with family and friends.
Accounting Specialist
Emily grew up in the Puget Sound area and graduated from Northwest University in Kirkland, WA, with a Bachelor’s Degree. She’s married to a loving husband and is mother to 3 daughters. In her free time, she enjoys being outside with her kids as well reading thriller books.
Administrative Director
Jessie has been a big part of the Carter Schwartze team since our outgoing receptionist recommended her for the position in 2016. She’s in charge of a lot of the important behind-the-scenes work and is the absolute best at asking all of the detail questions. She almost always has a big smile and a laugh to share. Someday, perhaps she’ll write a real bio for us. :)
Client Support Associate
We have absolutely adored having Heather on our team since 2014. She brings warmth and consistency to our work and she’s just a pleasure to be around. She keeps so busy that even after all of these years, she hasn’t yet written her bio for the website. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it’ll happen sometime soon.
Client Support Associate
Brittany is an accomplished oil painter and sculptor whose expertise is in creating vibrant, beautiful portraits and landscapes. When she's not busy creating art, she loves to spend time fishing, foraging for mushrooms, playing disc golf and spending quality time with her partner and cat. Fun Fact about Brittany: She loves nachos with no cheese.
Advisory Services Coordinator
Karina is a PNW native and outdoor enthusiast, a parent, a musician and an artist. In her spare time she's crafting new vegan recipes, hiking, playing board games, or planning for her next international travel destination. Karina looks forward to partnering with you and the Carter Schwartze team in achieving your goals!