About us
Since 2009, Denné Ahlefeld CPA, CGA is where passion meets expertise in the world of accounting. With an expert team led by Denné Ahlefeld, a locally trusted and seasoned accountant with a career spanning over two decades, our firm is dedicated to helping individuals, small businesses, families, and the community achieve their financial goals.
Our mission
We are passionate about empowering individuals, small businesses, families, and our community by providing personalized accounting and tax solutions. We serve our clients by providing expert advice and practical strategies to save money, optimize tax strategies, and achieve financial stability, while teaching correct bookkeeping and accounting methods and serving them with dedication. As a committed team, we work together to help our clients succeed, whether it's managing day-to-day tasks or planning for the future, because we love making a positive difference.
Our Approach
Our approach is centred on building strong, personal relationships with our clients. We believe in serving each client individually and in person, offering tailored solutions that meet their unique needs. Whether it’s assisting with everyday bookkeeping tasks or providing strategic advice for long-term financial planning, we are here to help. We love making a positive difference in the lives of our clients, from simple tasks to viewing the larger financial picture.
Meet Denné
Denné Ahlefeld is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) with over 25 years of experience serving clients across British Columbia and Alberta. Born and raised in the Kootenays, Denné discovered her passion for accounting during her high school years, leading her to complete an intensive Accounting Diploma program at the College of the Rockies. After gaining valuable experience at a Calgary accounting firm, she spent almost 9 years at a boutique tax law firm specializing in high-net-worth clients, where she advanced from intermediate accountant to supervisor while developing extensive expertise in tax planning and compliance. Since establishing her practice in Creston in 2009, Denné has successfully acquired and integrated three local accounting practices, building a trusted team that shares her commitment to exceptional client service.
Her expertise spans small business accounting, personal tax planning, and strategic guidance for business owners and retirees across diverse industries. What sets Denné apart is her dedication to ensuring clients fully understand their financial positions – taking time to explain complex tax matters in clear, concise language; providing reliable tax estimates and retirement scenarios that help clients make confident decisions about their future.Today, Denné leads a collaborative practice that works closely with local professionals including notaries, lawyers, bankers, and investment advisors to help clients achieve their goals. Her team is known for their responsiveness and thorough approach, consistently going above and beyond to provide accurate, timely service while identifying opportunities to save clients money. Whether assisting with business acquisitions, obtaining financing, or developing tax-efficient strategies, bringing the same careful attention and professional care to every client relationship.
Meet the team
Candace Woodall
Accounting Technician | Bookkeeper | Tax Return Preparer
Candace rejoined our firm in the spring of 2026 and is currently completing her practicum while pursuing her CPA designation.
She previously worked with our firm from 2012 to 2017. She was originally hired as our sole administrative assistant, but shortly after joining the firm she also assumed part-time bookkeeping responsibilities. Through her initiative, strong work ethic, and willingness to learn, she quickly expanded her role and was promoted to full-time bookkeeper, accounting technician, and personal income tax preparer in 2016.
Candace provides a wide range of client services, including bookkeeping, GST/HST return preparation, payroll, WCB reporting, T4 reporting, corporate tax returns, small business consulting, and personal tax preparation.
She is proficient in Sage 50 and QuickBooks Online and has experience working with QuickBooks Desktop.
Roberta Jensen
Accounting Technician | Bookkeeper | Tax Return Preparer | PCP (Payroll Compliance Professional)
Roberta moved from Alberta to BC in the Fall of 2021 to join our firm.
Previously, she worked as a bookkeeper. Roberta hit the ground running in our office as soon as she started and has been going non-stop ever since. She received her diploma from SAIT in Business Administration – Accounting in the Spring of 2024 and has shown a great interest in learning all the new accounting and tax concepts she can get her hands on. Roberta provides bookkeeping, GST/HST return preparation, payroll, WCB reporting, T4 reporting, corporate tax return drafts, small business consulting, Estate/Trust tax preparation and personal tax preparation.
Roberta is proficient with Sage 50, QuickBooks Online, and QuickBooks Desktop.
ML
Bookkeeper | Tax Return Preparer
ML joined our firm in the Summer of 2022 and has been very consistent and reliable ever since.
Previously she worked as a bookkeeper. She decided that she wanted to learn how to prepare personal tax returns for the 2023 tax year and finished her course in personal tax preparation from the Knowledge Bureau prior to that.
ML provides bookkeeping, GST/HST return preparation, payroll, WCB reporting, T4 reporting, and personal tax preparation.
ML is proficient with QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop and has experience with Sage 50.
Melanie Joy
Bookkeeper | Tax Return Preparer
Melanie joined our firm in the Spring of 2023 and is also working on obtaining an Accounting Technician Diploma from Thomson Rivers.
During 2023 she changed careers after deciding she wanted to do bookkeeping / accounting as it is her passion. She also decided that she wanted to learn how to prepare personal tax returns for the 2023 tax year (her first year with our firm) and finished her course in personal tax preparation from the Knowledge Bureau prior to that.
Melanie provides bookkeeping, GST/HST return preparation, payroll, WCB reporting, T4 reporting, and personal tax preparation
Melanie is proficient with QuickBooks Online and Sage 50 and has experience with QuickBooks Desktop.
Jamey Maxwell
Administrative Assistant
Jamey joined our firm in the Fall of 2023.
As our firm’s senior administrative assistant, she oversees the client intake and pick up procedures during personal tax season and for all corporate clients throughout the remainder of the year. She ensures that the office runs smoothly and is also very helpful with client questions or redirecting clients to staff who can assist them instead. Jamey is interested in the bookkeeping services we provide and came from an accounts receivable background. Jamey just finished a 3-part course that included introduction to accounting and Sage 50 beginners’ and advanced.
Anne Froelich
Administrative Assistant
Anne joined our firm in the Spring of 2024.
As our firm’s junior administrative assistant, she oversees most of our client’s written correspondence and handles most of the firm’s incoming telephone calls. When Anne greets you, you are met with a very calming and pleasant presence. Anne and Jamey work together to ensure that our client’s, and the staff’s, needs are met in an efficient and timely manner.
Dawna
Bookkeeper
Dawna recently joined our firm, starting in the Fall of 2026. She has been involved with various areas of finance throughout her work history, and brings experience in bookkeeping, GST/HST return preparation, payroll, and personal tax preparation. Among her academic credentials, she holds a degree in business which included successful completion of several accounting courses.
Dawna has experience with QuickBooks and Sage 50 and is working through coursework to increase her proficiency.
Dawna recently joined our firm, starting in the Fall of 2026. She has been involved with various areas of finance throughout her work history, and brings experience in bookkeeping, GST/HST return preparation, payroll, and personal tax preparation. Among her academic credentials, she holds a degree in business which included successful completion of several accounting courses.
Dawna has experience with QuickBooks and Sage 50 and is working through coursework to increase her proficiency.
What sets us apart
Denné Ahlefeld CPA, CGA is a Certified General Accountant who has spent years working at a law firm dedicated to tax planning, Denné and her team brings a level of expertise and professionalism that ensures clients receive the best possible service. We are committed to finding the most effective ways to meet your accounting needs, minimize tax liabilities, and keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket.