Cynthia H. Petrie

Cynthia Petrie arrived at Hellam Varon back in 2000 bringing with her 18 years of experience in the accounting world. Originally a psych and English major, she describes her descent into accounting as "sheer luck and serendipity". "I’m lucky that my career path has taken me towards estate and trust work because I get to really help people, sometimes during very difficult periods of their lives," she says. "I know I make a difference." Cynthia currently specializes in estate planning and taxation, trust income tax planning, fiduciary accounting, and gifting issues, as well as planning and tax compliance for complex individual situations, closely-held businesses, real estate and family partnerships. She is adept at teaming up with her clients’ attorneys and investment advisors to translate complex estate and tax planning ideas into understandable terms.

When Cynthia is out of the office, and not busy elsewhere (a decidedly rare condition) she might be found enjoying a round of golf during a weekend get away at her Hat Island cabin, reading mystery novels, or - now that her sons are grown and she is no longer running water polo and swim teams! - just hanging around the house with her husband, Roger, and their Golden Retriever named Norah. She was bitten by the travel bug starting with her 1972 move from Minnesota to Seattle with her cat in a ’57 Ford Fairlane, and has logged trips over the past 10 years to Italy, France, Switzerland, the U.K., South Africa, Guatemala, Australia, and Hong Kong. She continues to take numerous journeys around the United States between overseas jaunts, albeit using more dependable modes of transportation, and sans cat.

When it comes to Hellam Varon, Cynthia couldn't be happier with where she's ended up. "The people here really do respect and care about each other, and our clients and business colleagues are the best," she says. "I love the people and the work." Serendipity, indeed.

Education

University of Washington, B.A. in Business Administration, Management, honors

Certifications

Enrolled Agent for practice before the Internal Revenue Service

Professional Associations

East King County Estate Planning Council

National Association of Enrolled Agents

Women Presidents’ Organization

Community Activities

Seattle Foundation Professional Advisory Committee

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Planned Giving Advisory Committee

The Seattle Humane Society of Seattle/King County Planned Giving Committee

Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation Legacy Council

Past service to the boards of Earthcorps, Midlakes Swim League, Youth Theatre

Northwest, and Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation

Past president or treasurer of various Mercer Island PTSAs for eight consecutive years!

Cynthia is proud to have been on the parent committee that successfully spearheaded

the recognition of Water Polo as a club sport at Mercer Island High School!

Practice Emphasis

Director of the Hellam Varon fiduciary planning and compliance team

Planning and compliance for families, estates, and trusts

Ownership and succession planning for closely held business owners

Retirement planning and consulting