Fresno accounting firm DeMera DeMera Cameron is celebrating its 80th anniversary, with plans for a shift toward more consulting services and less emphasis on traditional income tax preparation. Photo by Ben Hensley

Over the last 80 years, Fresno accounting firm DeMera DeMera Cameron has grown from a small, local practice into a regional powerhouse serving clients in multiple states.

The firm, founded in 1944, has evolved to meet the challenges of an ever-changing accounting landscape while remaining rooted in its core values.

DeMera DeMera Cameron Partners Michael Davin, Kip Martin and Andrew Cameron — grandson of founder Howard DeMera — reflected on the firm’s journey and future, emphasizing their commitment to excellence, family-first company policies and community involvement.

 

Legacy of leadership

Davin, with DeMera DeMera Cameron for 34 years, has had a front-row seat for the evolution of the firm. He started as a senior staff accountant, becoming partner in 2006.

Davin attributes the firm’s success to its high standards, skilled staff and the ability to adapt as technology evolves. They also recognize their team members have family duties.

“Our leadership philosophy has always been about balancing professional excellence with personal well-being,” Davin said. “We’re a family-friendly firm, and we extend that same care to our clients.”

Davin noted the firm’s technological leadership, highlighting its integration of paperless systems and cutting-edge accounting tools as achievements in the firm’s advancement of tech.

 

Strong relationships

Martin joined the firm more than 20 years ago. He reflected on the importance of personal connections among the partners and clients at DeMera DeMera Cameron.

“Word-of-mouth referrals and relationships with bankers and attorneys have always been our strongest assets,” Martin said. “We focus on building trust and friendship with our clients, which has been key to our longevity.”

In addition to business dealings, the firm has also maintained a deep connection with the local community, being awarded the first First 5 Fresno County Child-Friendly Business Award in 2006.

The firm also has deep roots in the local youth and collegiate athletic community, preferring to keep a low profile in its support for organizations.

 

Family-oriented culture

Cameron, whose grandfather founded the firm, spoke proudly of its family-oriented culture.

When his grandfather started the firm as a partnership, he emphasized the importance of work-life balance and community involvement — something that the firm continues to hold true eight decades later.

“Our culture has been family-focused for 80 years,” Cameron said. “We encourage employees to put their families first, which creates a supportive and productive workplace.”

Cameron highlighted the firm’s commitment to community service, highlighting the staff’s participation in local and nonprofit fundraisers.

“Giving back is part of our DNA,” Cameron added. “It’s essential for businesses to support the community they serve.”

Embracing change 

From its early days to its current iteration employing 30 people, DeMera DeMera Cameron has embraced changes in the industry, including the continuous education and reeducation of its partners in various applications of tax law.

Davin highlighted the current 150-unit education requirement for CPAs — something that has continued to evolve in the industry — and praised the practice’s partners for their dedication to ongoing professional development in the industry.

“The demands of the profession are constantly shifting,” Davin said. “We aim to attract and retain top talent while continuing to provide exceptional service to our clients.”

Entering the firm’s ninth decade, changes are on the horizon.

Looking to the future, the firm anticipates a shift toward more consulting services and less emphasis on traditional income tax preparation.

This is driven by both automation and legislative changes — some of which look to potentially change the landscape of tax law in 2025.

Martin said that in 2025 the firm predicts that the beneficial tax laws — currently set to expire in 2025 — will likely be extended to provide stability for middle-class taxpayers.

Overall, the firm’s future looks bright, with Cameron expressing his excitement about the future.

“Our long-term relationships, some dating back to my grandfather’s era, speak to the trust we’ve built with our clients,” he said.