Kim Ruane, CPA, Shareholder and Practice Manager
Hails from the Chicago area. Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting at University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. Passed through CPA firms in Santa Clara, California and Naperville, Illinois on her way to Colorado where she raised her family—now three great adults. As of 2018 added the title of Grandma! REALLY enjoys doing tax work but handles accounting, payroll, and other issues as well, while keeping the practice on track as our Organization Maven—AKA Practice Manager. Outside of the office, enjoys walking, bicycling and all things family. Enjoys domestic travel to see family in Illinois, New Jersey and Florida. Caught the international travel bug a few years ago and has enjoyed a few days visiting each France, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany and Austria! With the practice since 1996.
Julie A Bechtel, CPA, MT, Shareholder
The daughter of a career Army Officer, Julie grew up an “Army Brat,” moving from Post to Post every couple of years. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from Kansas State University (there is a time and a place for all things “fun”,) she moved to the Denver area. She went on to complete a second Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from the University of Phoenix and a Master’s of Taxation from the University Of Denver Sturm College Of Law. Her path to Zaffore Ruane (she joined us in 2015) began at PwC, spanned several contract positions in industry, includes multiple years in a local public accounting practice in the Longmont area, as well as a year with CliftonLarsonAllen. She is a member of the AICPA and the Colorado Society of CPA’s. Her focus at Zaffore Ruane is assisting closely held businesses as well as individuals with a variety of tax, payroll, accounting, and IRS issues. Julie strives with care to meet the needs of her clients, to find the best solutions. In addition to her work at the firm, she serves as a member on both the School and Parish finance councils at Ave Maria.
Kathy Zaffore, CPA, Consultant part-time
Grew up in a CPA practice in Los Angeles, so destiny was sealed. Family also owned and operated a motel business at Disneyland. Lost count of number of times she’s ridden the Matterhorn. Earned Bachelor of Science at University of Southern California—Fight On! An MA at San Francisco State, and then a Master’s of Science in Accounting and Economics at University of Colorado – Denver. After years with other firms, started a practice in the fall of 1994 to follow her heart – working with people, helping them grow and manage their businesses and their wealth. Sold the firm to Kim Ruane, Stacey Garrett and Julie Bechtel in January 2019. Still at her desk part time. Enjoys the Pinery wildlife, her grandson Ian and a little Italian cooking. Trying to carve out time for the beach, travel, friends, reading, writing, and learning languages (has added Norwegian along with Italian). Alex the horse is now 30 and doing well for an octogenarian.
Kathleen Bell, CPA
A Denver native! Completed Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from University of Colorado – Denver. Following a stint as assistant controller for two large companies, she “came to her senses” and entered public accounting. A Sage50 (aka Peachtree) Wizard — through the trials and tribulations of setting up and maintaining some challenging accounting environments. Also works with QuickBooks, Timeslips and Sherware, a software specific to the oil/gas industry. Enjoys the details of day to day bookkeeping all the way through to financial reporting and tax return preparation. Truly spoils her pampered group of clients. Lives on the west side of town for quick escapes to the mountains – loves a good hike and the views from tree line. Married with two adult children. An adventurous kitchen chef, she makes the best lemon bars anywhere. In the practice from, well, the beginning – 1994.
Alicia Huang, CPA
Alicia holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from Rutgers University in New Jersey. She arrived at Zaffore Ruane in 2015 with solid experience in corporate financial accounting as well as tax, but she had a desire to use her talents in public accounting for its variety and fast pace environment. We are glad she did – Alicia has a quick smile and a even quicker mind, loving the challenge of problem solving for our clients. Originally from Taiwan, Alicia is also fluent in Chinese Mandarin. The US has been her home of more than 15 years and been in Colorado since 2014. Alicia always looks forward to busy season because she loves tax and math! In her spare time, she snowboards (too bad winter ski season collides with tax season…) and enjoys constructing jigsaw puzzles and LEGO. She has quite the collections!
Mary Kitchen, Staff Associate
Grew up in Peru where she completed a BS in Accounting at the National University of the Center of Peru, IN. She holds a Master’s degree in Accounting from Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, UT. Mary joined ZR CPAs in August 2022 with a QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification, and five years of bookkeeping and tax preparation experience. She is both dynamic and a quick learner- a highly motivated and determined professional. Mary looks forward to learning something new each day. She is passionate about problem solving and works to implement solutions exceeding client needs and expectations. She enjoys tennis and exploring new places, especially the Colorado outdoors, with her German Shepard, Coco. As a CPA candidate, Mary is hoping to soon add this credential to her growing list of accomplishments.
Vicki Hager, Bookkeeper / Tax Tech / Computer Wiz
Another Denver native – well, Englewood. Wears many hats in our practice with good humor and a true desire to be helpful to all. Along with tax return preparation, Vicki works with many of our small business clients on payroll, sales tax and bookkeeping issues, cleans up clients’ computer files, installs software, troubleshoots problems and provides training on QuickBooks. Also serves as our resident IT department. She has been a lifesaver at Zaffore Ruane since 1996.