Patricia J. Schmitt, CPA

Pati joined us in 1988. In 1999 she became a shareholder—at the time, the only other female owner in the firm besides co-founder Cheryl Perkins. Her leadership abilities, her incontrovertible skill as an auditor, and her impeccable sense of fashion and style are all factors that make her one of our firm's best role models for young professionals.

Nowadays, Pati is the Director of our Audit and Accounting Department. Pati manages and performs audits, works on SEC reporting, provides business advisory services and does tax consulting. Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) audits are her specialty and she heads that practice group. Her expertise is indispensable as Perkins & Co does more than 60 EBP audits per year, probably more than any other accounting firm in town. We aren’t the only ones that recognize Pati’s talents. In 2008, she was recognized as one of 25 outstanding women leaders in business at the annual Portland Business Journal Orchid Awards.

Accounting runs in Pati's family. Her identical twin sister is also an accountant. Sometimes we have to double check to make sure it's actually Pati we see in the office.