Our History

The story of Barnard, Vogler & Co. begins with Dick Barnard. In 1966, after working for the city of Los Angeles and as an accountant for Coopers & Lybrand in Oakland, California, Barnard came to Reno in search of a more suitable community to raise his recently started family. He and his wife Ann found Reno to be a warm community, with great economic promise but still a small-town feel.

For the next three years, as Barnard and his wife settled in Reno to raise their family, Dick worked for a sole practitioner in town gaining experience as an accountant. The Barnards immediately began meeting people and developing ties in the local community. Dick started the local chapter of the National Association of Accountants, now known as IMA, and became a member of several other local organizations. Ann joined the Junior League, meeting many of Dick's future clients. Dick's entrepreneurial spirit soon found footing, when in 1969 he had the opportunity to buy the practice of another local accountant who was retiring.

Dick was excited to go into business for himself. There was one caveat to the deal, though- he had to hire the accountant's secretary. She had been invaluable to the practice, acting as bookkeeper and performing many of the back-office duties. The secretary's name was Betty Vogler.

By day, Betty worked as secretary and office manager. By night, she attended UNR, majoring in accounting and eventually graduating at the top of her class. Shortly after receiving her CPA certificate, Betty was admitted as a partner to the firm which eventually became Barnard, Vogler & Co. This also began BV&CO's rich tradition of supporting women in business. Betty became the first woman president of the Nevada Society of CPAs, and over the years has covered the walls of her office with plaques representing countless hours devoted to various positions of civic leadership.

In the years after that, Barnard, Vogler & Co. continued to grow, taking on as a Director Pat Davis. Davis, a Stanford graduate, was one of the first two women hired in San Francisco by the national firm Price Waterhouse. In 1987, Pat's son, Mike, joined the firm as a staff accountant. Later, in 1990, BV&CO made another leap when they acquired the Reno office of the national firm, Pannell Kerr Forster. This merger brought on future directors Janis Reams, Roger Stewart and Leslie Daane.

In 1998 Leslie Daane and Mike Davis both became directors, creating the future leadership of the firm. Current Managing Director, Leslie Daane, reflects that taking the reigns of such an esteemed practice was at first intimidating. Dick Barnard, though, knew that she was the right choice. As a staff accountant, he says that she was a highly motivated worker and had a thirst for knowledge. This moved Barnard to mentor her throughout her career to her current position.

As Managing Director, Daane brings a unique style of consensus leadership. Instead of forcing the firm in a certain direction, she is known for having an ability to "bring others along" as the firm moves into the future. This works well in a firm known for being a tight knit family. It also helps as BV&CO continues to venture into new territory.

Barnard, Vogler & Co. is grateful for all of the relationships that have made 40 years of service possible and rewarding, and looks forward to many more years of fulfilling our mission to enrich the future of our clients, our employees and our community.