Scott Bargaehr, CPA

What is your role at Lewis Group?
By title, I am a CPA. By action I am the utility player. The coach puts me in wherever the team needs support.

What do you love most about your job?
Helping folks understand the tax code.

Tell me about your hobbies. What do you like to do when you are not working?
Surfing is my current favorite hobby. I surf once a week on the Oregon coast and try to sneak a few longer surf trips in annually. Southern California, Costa Rica, and Kauai are some of my favorite places to sneak away and surf.

What is your favorite quote or saying or word of advice?
Don’t try and shave a bear. He won’t like it.

Tell me your favorite story or experience working at Lewis Group.
During tax season, we all keep nerf guns at our desk and blast each other unexpectedly. My son learned about this and brought his entire nerf arsenal to the office one day to do battle with the Lewis Group staff.

How did you start working for Lewis Group?
On accident. My high school friend’s older brother is one of my surf buddies. And his oldest brother did a remodel for Lewis Group at our F street location. That oldest brother recommended me to Chris during the remodel and the rest is history.

Give me a special ability or trait you have that helps you do your job.
I like solving complex puzzles. Tax is like a giant puzzle that is missing a bunch of pieces and you don’t get the box (so you can’t see what it’s supposed to look like). I find it a fun challenge.

If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably be a….?
Surf bum.

If we held an office talent show, I would wow everyone with my….?
Fingerstyle, steel string guitar playing.

Tell me about a fictional character you admire, and why.
Arthur Dent. He is clueless and just goes with the flow.

Describe yourself in three words.
Ardent. Perspicacious. Munificent.

Your stuck inside and have to binge watch a TV show, which one do you pick?
I’d skip the TV binge and just take nap.

If you have a theme song for your life, what would it be?
“The Sick Note” – The Dubliners

What charitable/community organizations are you involved in and/or do you financially support?
Van City Church, Fort Vancouver Little League