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 180 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, CFF, ABV
Principal
mramey@cogencegroup.com | 503-467-7905 | LinkedIn
Megan is a CPA licensed in Oregon, Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), and Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF). Since joining Cogence Group in 2019, she has spent over six years helping business owners and attorneys untangle complex financial questions through valuations, forensic accounting, and clear, actionable analysis. Whether she’s quantifying economic damages, determining the value of a closely held business, or analyzing financial records for litigation, Megan is known for translating complex numbers into actionable insights that clients can use.
Before her time at Cogence Group, Megan built a strong foundation as an Assurance Auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Portland. There, she managed multiple audit engagements, navigated tight deadlines, and honed the research, analysis, and communication skills she brings to every project today.
Megan graduated Cum Laude from the University of Oregon in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. During college, she spent a semester studying abroad in Italy and volunteered as a peer mentor, experiences that shaped her collaborative approach and global perspective.
Outside of work, Megan enjoys reading, playing board games, discovering new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family. Her curiosity and love for learning carry through in everything she does—whether it’s diving into a challenging case, strategizing over a board game, or tracking down the best new spot in town.
cHANDLER Hiller, CPA
Analyst
chiller@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, ABV
Analyst
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 is a licensed CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Oregon, is ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation), and is in the process of becoming a CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics).
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.
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 41 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 45 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”