Our Team
Tyler Kowal, CPA
Founder, Managing Partner
Tyler has a passion for building strong financial foundations for individuals and businesses. He received his degree in Accounting and Finance from one of the top accounting programs in the country at Gonzaga University. His career began at Deloitte, where he spent time working with large SEC clients and small venture-backed startups. He further refined his expertise at Amazon, helping grow and expand AWS to a global brand, onboarding acquired subsidiaries, and navigating SEC reporting. Tyler founded Pitch from a strong desire to return to public accounting and offer high-level CPA services to individuals and businesses. He is passionate about sharing his experiences in real estate, stock-based compensation, and small businesses. In his free time, Tyler enjoys watching soccer, playing golf and spending time with his wife and two children.
Denise Lawson, CPA
Sr. Director
Denise graduated Central Washington University with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. She began her career at a local CPA firm where she gained experience with a variety of business operations and structures before moving on to private accounting as a controller of a construction company. Realizing her passion was in public accounting, Denise returned to work at a CPA firm where she ultimately became a partner and grew her practice for 20+ years. In 2021, she was excited to merge with Pitch CPA, a move that offers opportunities for increased technology and efficiencies, and a larger team bringing greater breadth of knowledge to the business. Denise has a passion for small business operations and the unique challenges small businesses face. Outside of the office, she loves soccer, traveling with her husband, and spending time with family.
Mac Graham, CPA
Director
As a graduate of Gonzaga University with concentrations in Accounting, Finance, and Entrepreneurship, Mac has a well-rounded view of business and financial concepts used to assist our clients in a variety of ways. After spending 5 years in public accounting with Moss Adams, he transitioned to private industry where he worked in corporate finance for several years before jumping at the opportunity to join a one-of-a-kind firm in Pitch CPA. Mac is passionate about all things personal finance, real estate, and small business. Taxes are a key aspect of these passions and he loves sharing his expertise with clients. In his free time, you can find him snowboarding at Crystal Mountain, hiking northwest peaks, spending time with his wonderful wife, or fly fishing a local stream.
Nick Aoki, CPA
Associate
Bringing 12 years of experience from Moss Adams, Nick joined Pitch CPA with a wealth of knowledge. He holds a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Washington and an M.S. in Taxation from Golden Gate University. Nick specializes in collaborating with closely held business owners and executives, dedicating himself to understanding their business models and personal financial goals. His focus includes providing comprehensive tax planning strategies and educational insights on stock options. As a board member of the Accounting Career Awareness Program, Nick exemplifies professional excellence and demonstrates a strong commitment to community engagement. Beyond the office, he enjoys golfing and his roles as a husband and dad.
Tim Cotton, CPA
Associate
Tim is a US Army veteran who discovered accounting after returning to civilian life. He graduated from the University of Washington Bothell with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He began his career at a mid-size accounting firm in Bellevue and developed a specialty in several areas of taxation including real estate, small business, and international reporting. After 4 years,Tim made the jump to Pitch CPA. He enjoys helping clients understand and meet their requirements for real-estate businesses and international tax reporting. When not in the office you can find Tim working on his motorcycle, doing some DIY projects around the house, or traveling with his fiancée.
Amber Hudson, CPA
Associate
Amber studied accounting at Seattle Pacific University, and passed the CPA exam shortly after graduation. In 1997, Amber joined a local CPA firm where she remained for 24 years until the merger with Pitch CPA. Amber enjoys using Excel to analyze financial data for decision making and configuring QuickBooks to optimize client data entry workflows. When she isn’t working, Amber finds joy in hiking, camping, riding horses, and time with family.
Brittany McCleery, CPA
Associate
Brittany earned her degree in Accounting from Gonzaga University and began her career at Moss Adams as an auditor in public accounting. After five years, Brittany transitioned to roles in both private and public sectors, gaining a well-rounded perspective on business operations and financial management. With an analytical mindset, Brittany enjoys being in the details. She is personable, naturally curious, finding joy in helping others solve problems and simplify processes. Outside of her professional life, Brittany treasures time with her husband and daughter. She loves skiing up at Whistler, exploring national parks, and delving into true crime podcasts.
Grant Newton, CPA
Associate
Grant has practiced public accounting since 2018, focusing on income tax planning, compliance, and related services for Partnerships, LLCs, and S Corporations. Before joining Pitch CPA, he spent 7 years at Moss Adams serving clients in construction, hospitality, and real estate development. He holds a B.A. and MPAC from Seattle University, with experience in asset and depreciation analysis, ESOP (Employee Stock Option Plan) transactions, stock basis planning, and state and local tax compliance. Grant works closely with clients to deliver practical, tailored solutions. Originally from Bend, Oregon, he enjoys fly fishing, photography, mountain biking, and backcountry hiking with his wife.
Yan Findley
Associate
Yan brings 25+ years of accounting experience with CPA firms and as a full charge bookkeeper and controller for a variety of businesses. She helps businesses and individuals with their bookkeeping, cash flow, financial statements, payroll, various tax filings and other accounting needs. She is a certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor and is able to help clients effectively organize their financial matters and ensure they meet their compliance and reporting requirements. Yan enjoys traveling with her husband, visiting her kids at college, playing pickle ball with her friends and exploring Washington to find great places to eat and hiking.
Lacie Webber
Associate
Lacie is an organized and energetic Office Manager with a Business Management degree, Lacie keeps the office running smoothly while balancing life as a mom to two amazing girls, a dog, and two cats. A lifelong Disney lover and coffee enthusiast, Lacie finds joy in the little things, from a fresh cup in the morning to planning the next travel adventure. When Lacie is not managing the day-to-day details in the office, you’ll find her outside hiking, snowboarding, or exploring new places with her family. Lacie believes in bringing positivity, efficiency, and a bit of magic into everything she does.
Amanda Nerby
Associate
Amanda joined Pitch CPA as an intern during the 2023 tax season and is now a full-time member of the team. She currently focuses on bookkeeping and supports the preparation of tax returns. Known for her curiosity and drive to learn, Amanda brings energy and attention to detail to every client engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington, with concentrations in Accounting and Marketing and a minor in Law, Societies, and Justice. She is currently working toward earning her CPA license. Outside of work, Amanda’s competitive spirit shines through in everything she does—especially when cheering on her favorite team, the Seattle Seahawks.
