Hi I’m Jay Sickler
Founder and President of Cogence Group
My journey to creating Cogence Group started in 1988 when I went to Australia and joined a small “Corporate Advisory Services” department at Ernst & Whinney (now EY). This department was made up of 12 people (out of a 300-professionals office) at the firm undertaking litigation support, business valuation and M&A work. It was my first taste of forensic accounting.
I remember my first big litigation case, which took a year of investigation and expert forensic accounting. When the case went to trial, I was in awe of the setting. A Judge in a long robe and a wig. Barristers, Solictors and Queen’s Counsel. I listened to the EY partner testify who I did all the groundwork for and thought about how I would answer the questions as they were presented. This courtroom experience ignited my passion for testifying in the courtroom.
I eventually came back to Portland where I realized that no accounting firms offered these services for big high-stakes litigation. I was told by the leading litigation expert in Portland that my practice would never succeed locally and that I would have to do work nationally like he did. I took this challenge on and became the first economic damages expert to create a successful, sustainable, and respected litigation services practice in Portland.
I am a person who isn’t opposed to a challenge. This is true in my personal life, my practice, and the courtroom. I don’t just think analytically, like typical CPAs, but I believe in being creative. No case is the same and therefore there is no typical solution or canned analysis. There’s nothing like being in a courtroom, testifying to a judge or jury and having them understand and accept your findings. After testifying as an expert witness in 170 cases over 30 years, I’ve built long-lasting relationships with battle tested attorneys and the city’s best law firms. I am here as a resource for you to find the solution to your case related financial issues.
Let’s chat about how I can help you!
jsickler@cogencegroup.com | 503-467-7901 | LinkedIn | CPA, CFF, ABV, ASA
Cogent
Intelligence
co•gent /
1. convincing or believable by virtue of forcible, clear, or incisive presentation; telling.
2. to the point; relevant; pertinent.
in•tel•li•gence /
1. capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc.
Meet the Team
Megan Ramey, cpa, ABV
Associate
mramey@cogencegroup.com | 503-467-7905 | LinkedIn
Megan is a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Oregon and ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation) and is in the process of becoming Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) in the upcoming year.
Prior to joining Cogence Group, Megan was an Assurance Auditor at Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP in Portland, Oregon. At PwC, Megan was successful at managing multiple projects, while consistently meeting deadlines. Through her four years of experience at PwC, she gained strong research, analytical, and communication skills. Megan strives to effectively bridge communications and translate complex financial details in a straightforward way.
Megan graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Oregon in 2014. While in college, Megan studied abroad in Italy for four months and volunteered as a peer mentor. In her free time, Megan enjoys reading, board games, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with her friends and family.
cHANDLER sIMICH, CPA
Associate
csimich@cogencegroup.com | 503-467-7906 | LinkedIn
Chandler is a licensed CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Oregon and is in the process of becoming Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) in the upcoming year. She is also looking forward to pursuing her CFF (Certification in Financial Forensics) credentials in the next couple of years.
Prior to joining Cogence Group, Chandler was an Assurance Auditor at Moss Adams LLP in Portland, Oregon. During her three years at Moss Adams, she successfully managed multiple projects, analyzed financial information, and consistently met deadlines. In addition, Chandler gained strong critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. As an analyst at Cogence Group, Chandler strives to effectively meet client needs by analyzing complex forensic accounting and business valuation questions and communicating conclusions in a clear and concise manner.
Chandler graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Oregon State University in 2018. While in college, Chandler was an active member of the Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Fraternity and Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. She also studied abroad in England during the fall of 2016. In her free time, Chandler enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Matt Gross, CPA
Associate
mgross@cogencegroup.com | 503-467-7903 | LinkedIn
Joining the firm in 2022, Matt provides support on financial forensic engagements and business valuations. Prior to joining Cogence Group, Matt was an Assurance Auditor at Aldrich CPAs + Advisors LLP in Lake Oswego, Oregon. During his four years at Aldrich, he successfully managed multiple engagement teams, provided technical guidance to his clients, and consistently met deadlines. In addition, Matt developed strong critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. Matt strives to effectively meet client needs by analyzing complex forensic accounting and business valuation questions and communicating conclusions in a clear and concise manner.
Matt graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance at Oregon State University in 2018. While in college, Matt was the Vice President of Operations of the Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Fraternity and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. In his free time, Matt enjoys golfing, skiing, cooking, and spending time with his family and friends.
Matt is a licensed CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Oregon and is in the process of becoming Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) in the upcoming year. He is also looking forward to pursuing his CFF (Certification in Financial Forensics) credentials in the next couple of years.
Shelley Sickler
Co-Founder of Cogence Group
Shelley oversees the administration of the firm and provides forensic accounting analysis on engagements where QuickBooks accounting records are involved. Shelley gained her accounting experience with companies in Portland, Oregon and Sydney, Australia serving in various internal accounting roles.
Shelley earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University. For fun, Shelley enjoys traveling with her husband of 38 years and her two grown daughters. She also loves to cook, do puzzles, and discover new dark chocolate treats.
Arlynda Richmond
Office Manager and Paraprofessional
Arlynda has been with the firm since 2007, and in addition to handling all office administration, she provides paraprofessional support on financial forensics engagements as needed.
Her prior work experience includes administrative support for the partners in the CPA firm Thompson, Wiest & Sickler, P.C., report production department senior for Arthur Andersen in Portland and lead report production for the Portland office of Ernst & Young. Arlynda enjoys traveling with her husband of 40 years, tending to her backyard garden, and spending time with family and friends.
“As an expert witness, Jay Sickler has a rare ability to both understand difficult concepts and to be able to teach them to lay people in plain English”