Member of the Month - 2005

December 2005 Member of the Month – Glen Mitchell, EA

This month's Member of the Month, Glen Mitchell, is a member of the Michigan Chapter of NATP. He is well known throughout the Chapter circles, always in attendance and mixing with other participants. Glen's easy manner with people and his leadership has led the Chapter to record-breaking attendance at their educational seminars. Glen always sets a positive tone and gets things done. Please join us in recognizing Glen as an outstanding NATP Member of the Month!

Q.  How many years have you been preparing taxes?

A.  22 years.

Q.  What is your business name, where is it located? Do you own it? How many additional staff members do you employ?

A.  My business is called the Tax Center and it is located in the Village of Holly, a few miles south of Flint, Michigan. I am the sole owner and during the tax season, I have nine additional full- or part-time employees.

Q.  Type and number of returns filed.

A.  We prepare mostly 1040 returns that include many small business and farm returns.

Q.  Were you in another line of business before doing taxes?

A.  I still live on our family sesquicentennial farm. My family has lived on and owned the farm since 1838. I farmed before starting my tax business, and I still continue to do some farming.

Q.  Did you have a mentor early in your career? Do you mentor others?

A.  Marilyn Meredith (National NATP instructor) is my sister. She and her husband both began preparing taxes many years ago, and both have encouraged me steadily throughout my career. 

Q.  Are you involved in other tax-related activities?

A.  I have been an instructor for the Michigan Chapter when time permits.

Q.  What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member?

A.  NATP was an organization that provided great tax information relating to the type of tax returns my office normally files, and it has excellent education programs. This is what brought me to NATP and it is what has kept me as a member.

Q.  What types of NATP activities have you participated in?

A.  I am currently president of the Michigan Chapter, and in that capacity I am a member of all Chapter committees. I was involved in newsletter, education, government relations, and several other committees before I became president. My wife and I have composed most of the seminar fliers our Chapter has used in the last few years. We have also attended seven NATP national conventions, and each one has been excellent. I make a practice of bringing some of my employees each year because I feel it is a wonderful way for them to gain knowledge. The conventions provide a mix of topics that I have not seen matched by any other organization. My only complaint has been that I don't have time to attend all the topics!

Q.  Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial?

A.  NATP is a great resource for professionals. It has an excellent research department and a solid focus on education.

Q.  What are the biggest challenges facing tax preparers today and is there anything you can see that NATP could do to better prepare them?

A.  The possible licensing of preparers may change our occupation considerably. A challenge has always existed on keeping up on the latest law and court interpretations of the law, and this challenge only seems to escalate. As a business, we see what appears to be substantial competition with IRS-sponsored "free" e-filing. NATP needs to continue to be the spokesperson for the tax professional community and provide updates on what is happening.

Q.  Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.?

A.  I married my wife, Candy, 18 years ago in July. She is a retired high school teacher who now works a considerable amount of time at my office, but not doing taxes. Candy grew up on a dairy farm a few miles away, and had twin sons from a prior marriage who were 13 when we married. During our wedding ceremony, they both participated by accepting me into the family and then both of them fainted. (It was a very hot day.) They are now both married and each has two children, a boy and a girl.

We have a dog and a cat that live on a 200-acre farm with us. I grow field crops on 150 acres of crop land, and the rest of the acreage is wooded. Because we are in an area that is rapidly becoming urbanized, I have turned to greenhouses where we grow bedding plants for spring sales. I also grow nine acres of pumpkins, which we sell in October. We keep a few animals for the families to see when they visit our greenhouses in the spring or when they come to buy pumpkins in the fall. The animals include a donkey, peacock, turkeys, chickens, and pot-bellied pigs. I am a township library trustee and have been a member of my county farm bureau board for many years.

Q.  What are your goals for the future personally and for your career?

A.  I hope to grow my business and maintain an excellent reputation.

Q.  What kinds of things are important to you in life?

A.  Family, friends, and farming.

Q.  Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer?

A.  I'm sure I've had many "defining moments" but none comes to mind. It is always a good feeling when you can help someone.

NATP honors Glen as the December Member of the Month. To reach Glen with your congratulations or comments, e-mail him at tcglenmitchell@yahoo.com.

November 2005 Member of the Month – Marcy Terby, EA

Marcy Terby, NATP's November 2005 Member of the Month is a remarkable woman in many ways. Anyone who has raised two sets of twins has to be remarkable! However, Marcy stands out in many other ways as well. She has been a leader who has helped build her NATP Chapter; she introduces associates to NATP and mentors others in their careers. Despite challenging circumstances in her life, Marcy remains upbeat, positive, and someone to look up to. Help us in congratulating Marcy Terby as the Member of the Month.

Q.  How many years have you been preparing taxes?

A.  I have been preparing taxes for 29 years. I began with the Tax Corporation of America, better known here in the West as TCA.

Q.  What is your business name, where is it located? Do you own it? How many additional staff members do you employ?

A.  Marcy Terby & Associates, located in Cypress, California. I am the owner and have a four-member staff.

Q.  Type and number of returns filed.

A.  We specialize in individual 1040 and fiduciary's, and also do some S & C corporations. We do about 900 returns each year.

Q.  Were you in another line of business before doing taxes?

A.  I had been employed with Illinois Bell for years; then American Airlines, where I met my husband. We married and I became a mom of two sets of twins and a special single one. So I was busy raising five children. After my husband passed away, I began a career in real estate and taxes. At that time, I had been away from office work for many years but had little choice; I had four children to support.

Q.  Did you have a mentor early in your career? Do you mentor others?

A.  My mentor was my neighbor who did taxes for many years. When my neighbor's business needed help and they asked for my assistance, that is how I got started. In turn, I try to mentor others. At present, I mentor my daughter who works with me, and a friend who is a preparer in Colorado (and she just became an NATP member too!).

Q.  Are you involved in other tax-related activities?

A.  I belong to the California EA Society, the National Society of EAs, was on the Board of the NATP CA Chapter, and also belonged to Inland Society of Tax Consultants (ISTC).

Q.  What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member?

A.  I found NATP through its advertisements. NATP held the only seminars that allowed me to travel back to the Midwest (where I am from) and various other places. (I love to travel.)

Q.  What types of NATP activities have you participated in?

A.  In addition to taking NATP seminars and attending the National Conferences, I was on the CA Chapter Board for three years as secretary and editor of the newsletter.

Q.  Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial?

A.  Recommend NATP? This organization really cares about the person. NATP encourages togetherness of other preparers from various locations. New member meetings at the Annual Conference are the best. No one is left out. I usually come alone and over the years, I can say I have gained friends in NY, MI, OH, MO, etc.

Q.  What are the biggest challenges facing tax preparers today and is there anything you can see that NATP could do to better prepare them?

A.  Biggest challenges…Free tax preparation online. We need to give more service to clients. Most of my clients have been with me for over 20 years. They call me about anything from buying homeowners insurance to college forms, loan letters, etc.

Q.  Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.?

A.  I was married in 1958. My husband worked at American Airlines (we met there). We lived in various states beginning in Chicago, then St. Louis, then California. We had two sets of twins and one single child. Seven is a big family. I was a full-time mom for many years. President of PTA, Band Booster at High School, and I taught baton twirling for the city of Cypress. Hobbies include sewing, reading, swimming, and working out at the gym. I also enjoy volleyball and travel, travel, travel.

Q.  What are your goals for the future personally and for your career?

A.  My future retirement is starting to look good, but I would be lost without work. My daughter works with me, so at some point she can take over.

Q.  What kinds of things are important to you in life?

A.  Family is important, as are my church and friends.

Q.  Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer?

A.  Defining moment: Client comes in with a gracious greeting and you can't remember their name. Funny moment: When a client says, "Did you attach my WD40 to the 1040?" Or, doing an e-file while clients watch the download paper going from the folder on the left to the folder on the right. As the paper is flying across the screen from left to right, the client says, "Is that the federal or state?" at which point my secretary could hardly contain herself and said, "Well, the federal goes on top so it usually goes first".

Thank you Marcy, for possessing a persevering spirit and lifting others up as you go. NATP honors you as the November Member of the Month. To reach Marcy with comments or congratulations, please e-mail her at mterby@aol.com.

October 2005 Member of the Month – Sue Voth, EA

October Member of the Month, Sue Voth, is well known to many NATP members, as she is an NATP instructor. Sue has a drive to share her knowledge with others and to help them in their practices, as many of you know and have shared with us. She is a hard worker and a busy woman, using real-life examples in her classroom and making herself available to answer questions. Through the years, Sue's efforts have reinforced the knowledge base of many NATP members. Please join us in recognizing Sue Voth and take a moment to congratulate her personally.

Q.  How many years have you been preparing taxes?

A.  25 years.

Q.  What is your business name, where is it located? Do you own it? How many additional staff members do you employ?

A. V& R Accounting, Inc. in Quincy,IL – I am the sole shareholder of my Corporation and have three employees in addition to myself.

Q.  Type and number of returns filed.

A.  Approximately 1,400 returns, all types; 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S.

Q.  Were you in another line of business before doing taxes?

A.  No.

Q. Did you have a mentor early in your career? Do you mentor others?

A.  Yes, my former employer, Ralph Peters. I do not mentor others. (Editorial note: Although Sue says she does not mentor others, in reality, through her endeavors as an instructor; she helps many colleagues learn the ropes and expand upon their skills. We think she is much more of a mentor than she gives herself credit for.)

Q.  Are you involved in other tax-related activities?

A.  I teach tax seminars for NATP, University of Illinois – Extension, Missouri CPA Society, New York/Connecticut Association of Tax Professionals, and various state Chapters including Illinois and Minnesota. I hold a Series 6 Securities License that I use to help my small business clients set up retirement plans for themselves and their employees.

Q.  What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member?

A.  The first NATP seminar I attended back in 1983 was very impressive. The ability of the instructors to take the tax law and apply it to everyday practice was exactly what I had been looking for in helping to build my practice. It has served me very well – my practice has grown from 150 returns in 1980 to over 1,400 today. I continue to be a member of NATP because it serves my educational needs and provides me with an opportunity to network with other professionals.

Q.  In what types of NATP activities have you participated?

A.  I have attended and taught at the 1040 seminars, the enrolled agent's exam program, the summer workshops for partnerships, corporations, estates, and trusts. I also have attended and taught at many of the National Conferences.

Q.  Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial?

A.  NATP is an organization that provides its members with timely and useful information they need to keep their businesses profitable. It provides quality education at reasonable prices. The networking and education aspects are the most beneficial to me.

Q.  What are the biggest challenges facing tax preparers today and is there anything you can see that NATP could do to better prepare them?

A.  The biggest challenge for our profession has not changed in the 25 years that I have been practicing, and that is keeping ourselves educated to the tax law changes that have taken place and applying those in everyday life to our client's situations. Electronic filing has changed the way we do business, but my practice continues to grow each year because clients are seeking tax professionals who understand the tax law and are able to guide them through the maze of forms and help them pay the least amount of tax possible. In addition, keeping up with all the technology changes certainly provides us with some interesting challenges as well.

NATP needs to continue to provide the members of our profession with timely updates of the changing laws and to help protect our interest in our profession. For example, continuing correspondence and contacts in Washington D.C. – letting them know how our members do business and our needs to continue our practices. NATP can also help the practitioner by being a resource center of tax research, updates on technology, education, and providing a network for us in which to participate.

Q.  Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.?

A.  I have two adult children, Kesi (26) and Kent (22). My partner for life is Steve, and we reside in Columbia, Missouri and Quincy, Illinois, depending on what time of the year it is. I love to play golf, read, and visit local wineries. Recently, I took up motorcycle riding and Steve and I each own our own bikes and have decided to travel the Midwest on our motorcycles. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the YWCA. I have served on various boards in the community, including Madonna House and the Noon Kiwanis Club.

Q.  What are your goals for the future personally and for your career?

A.  I want to continue to grow as an individual – exploring new opportunities as they arise. I am planning to expand my practice in the future to include more employees and more of the electronic options that are available. For instance, we have started the process of becoming a paperless office. That goal will hopefully be accomplished in the next two years. I would also like to expand my teaching profession to more locations in the next five years.

Q.  What kinds of things are important to you in life?

A.  Family and friends are foremost. Without those, any financial success has little meaning. Having someone with whom to share your triumphs and tears with makes those moments worthwhile. Having started my own business 25 years ago and having it still be here today and prospering is also something very near and dear to me.

Congratulations Sue, on being the October Member of the Month! Your leadership skills and the talents you lend to NATP are greatly appreciated. To contact Sue with any comments, please e-mail her at sue@vandraccounting.com.

September 2005 Month Member of the Month – Dennis Pringnitz, EA

Dennis Pringnitz has been a faithful member of NATP for over 20 years. In that time, his contributions to the NATP Wisconsin Chapter have helped to build a strong and active Chapter. During September, join us in honoring Dennis as NATP's September Member of the Month.

Q.  How many years have you been preparing taxes?

A.  I started doing taxes professionally in 1967, working for a CPA firm in Merrill, Wisconsin. After three years in service, I worked for a CPA firm in Appleton, Wisconsin and another public accounting firm before starting my own business in 1985.

Q.  What is your business name, where is it located? Do you own it? How many additional staff members do you employ?

A.  My business, Avenue Tax & Accounting, is located in Appleton, Wisconsin. I started with an office in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, at 112 W. Wisconsin Ave. in 1985. In 1992, I added the Appleton office at 342 W. Wisconsin Ave. The purchase of several tax preparation businesses helped me get started. I now employ six employees during the tax season. In the off-season, I have no additional staff in the office.

Q.  Type and number of returns filed.

A.  For the 2004 tax year, we prepared 850 individual tax returns and about 25 corporation, partnership, and trust returns, along with payroll and accounting services for 20 business clients.

Q.  Were you in another line of business before doing taxes?

A.  I have a college degree in accounting so I have always been in the accounting and tax profession. Along with my tax business, I own several rental properties, help clients with investments and insurance needs, and tax retirement planning.

Q.  Are you involved in other tax-related activities?

A.  I have a securities and insurance license with HD Vest. As a member of our local Optimist Club and the Chamber of Commerce, I try to lend my skills as they are needed.

Q.  What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member?

A.  I joined and have stayed with NATP because of the educational opportunities. I have gained so many great ideas by just listening to what other professionals have done -- what works and what didn't work. The National Conferences have been great for networking with others.

Q.  What types of NATP activities have you participated in?

A.  I have been a regular at the National Conferences and have attended several NATP tax workshops. More than participating in other activities, I am frequently on NATP's website, exploring and using the information there. I helped start the Wisconsin Chapter, and was on the Chapter Board for ten years – Chapter president for eight years, and vice-president for two years.

Q.  Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial?

A.  I highly recommend the National Conferences for educational and networking opportunities. I've found these and the website as most beneficial for me in my practice.

Q.  What are the biggest challenges facing tax preparers today and is there anything you can see that NATP could do to better prepare tax professionals?

A.  My biggest challenge, and I would guess others are seeing this too, has been the changing business market. Each year we need to find new ways to market to new and current clients to be sure to gain and keep their business.

Q.  Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.?

A.  My wife, Susan, and I have been married since 1967. We have four married children and two grandsons. Our youngest son finished college this year. We are active in our church and do volunteer work through the Optimist Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Susan and I were raised on small Wisconsin farms and enjoy the simple life of small towns. We like to travel with friends and family.

Q.  What are your goals for the future personally and for your career?

A.  In the next three to five years, I hope to have someone groomed to purchase and take over my business. After age 65, I'd like to get my fishing pole out a lot more frequently.

Q.  Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer?

A.  I have a defining moment every April 16th. I try to take time for a personal reflection of the last three and a half months, enjoy the success stories, and determine how to correct the mistakes made and make improvements. 

NATP would like to congratulate Dennis as the September Member of the Month. To extend your congratulations and send your comments to him, please e-mail Dennis at avenuetax@pitnet.net.

August 2005 Month Member of the Month – Sherril F. (Sherry) Diamond, EA

Sherry is one of those people that just pitches in and helps where needed. She is active in her Chapter, recruits new members, helps out at workshops, she's a state volunteer, a workgroup volunteer, an author, a mentor, and she's been on the NATP nominations committee. For the month of August, NATP salutes Sherry Diamond for her willing spirit and for the talents she freely gives of to those around her. Congratulations Sherry!

Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

A. 25 years.

Q. What is your business name, where is it located? Do you own it? How many additional staff members do you employ?

A. The name of my business is The Tax Stop, Inc. It is located a short distance from my home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. I employ two additional tax professionals plus a night receptionist during the "tax season." Katie, my fantastic year-round administrative assistant, shares her time with me since her primary job is being my husband's administrative assistant.

Q. Type and number of returns filed.

A. I prepare approximately 500 returns – 90 percent of them personal. The last 10 percent are corporate, partnership, and trust. I also help a number of small businesses with payroll, quarterly reports, and W-2's.

Q. Were you in another line of business before doing taxes?

A. My degree is in social work, but I never worked in this field (then again, don't we really play this role with our clients all too frequently?). I got married and had kids instead. The tax work began as a challenge from my husband when he got tired of listening to my complaints about being "just a stay-at-home mom and housewife whose brain was becoming mush after too many hours of Sesame Street."

Q. Did you have a mentor early in your career? Do you mentor others?

A. I didn't really have a mentor, although I distinctly remember some of my early co-workers. Their early advice made a very strong and memorable impact. I have (unknowingly at the time) been a mentor to two people. The first was my neighbor who I brought into my business for the season five years ago. She now continues to work for me while also "spreading her wings," beginning her own separate tax practice. The second is a friend whom I met a few years ago. She claims she learned things from me that I never knew I was teaching her, about how to run her practice. Both of these women are now serving as directors on the New Jersey NATP Board. Recently, I volunteered to help in NATP's mentor program administered through the national office.

Q. Are you involved in other tax-related activities?

A. I am the State Secretary for the New Jersey Society of Enrolled Agents (NJSEA) and have been active with them since 1991. I also act as the financial manager of Agency Consulting Group, Inc., providing tax advice to insurance agents serviced by the consulting firm, as well as contributing tax articles to the Pipeline, a monthly newsletter published by Agency Consulting Group for insurance professionals.

Offering public speaking on tax-related issues and "teaching" the tax and accounting sections of the classes offered by the New Jersey Association of Women's Business Owners (NJAWBO) for new business owners are favorite activities. Recently, I was appointed to serve on the "Working Together" committee that helps to coordinate a two-day tax seminar presented by the IRS and the state of New Jersey. The local newspapers have also "found" me this year and have asked me for several phone interviews. Additionally, I serve as the treasurer for the Condo Association where my husband and I own some units.

Q. What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member?

A. I joined after my first year working as a tax preparer just because it was a "club" for people who did taxes and it had a newsletter. I stay for the things I receive – education, research services, networking, camaraderie…

Q. In what types of NATP activities have you participated?

A. I've attended lots of educational workshops including the National  Conferences. Each year, I serve as a volunteer for the state assistance list, the mentor program, and "anywhere else NATP would like to use me," such as working the registration table at local seminars. I've written for TAXPRO Monthly, served on the national nominations committee and the compensation workgroup. I'm also active in the Chapter, having taught at some of the seminars, served as chairperson of several seminars, chaired working committees, served on the Board of Directors as a past vice-president for two terms, and currently am president of the New Jersey Chapter.

Q. Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial?

A. The educational opportunities and the Research Department!!!!!!!!!!!! No more needs to be said!!!!!!!!!!!

Q. What are the biggest challenges facing tax preparers today, and is there anything you can see that NATP could do to better prepare tax professionals?

Keeping current on tax law changes is always a top challenge. I also see  the impact on our practices from more and more home-prepared tax returns and home e-filing. The result, at least for me, has been the need for more knowledge. I have started to see a change in clientele to those who have more complicated and difficult tax situations than they can handle themselves and, therefore, need the true tax professional's expertise. NATP is already helping with this challenge through the wide variety of education it offers.

Q. Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.?

I've been married for 37 years to Al Diamond, a management consultant  specializing in the insurance industry. We have three grown sons – all married – David (33), Michael (30), and Joshua (29). We have three grandchildren all living outside of Atlanta, Georgia. My hobbies include collecting open saltcellars and other antiques. Favorite activities encompass needlework, reading, travel, antiquing, and attending country and estate auctions. The very best is time visiting the grandkids (ages four, six, and nine).

Q. What are your goals for the future, personally and for your career?

A. My biggest goal is personal – stay healthy enough to enjoy life and family!

Professionally, the goal would be to continue expanding my tax knowledge and tax skills to be the absolute best tax professional I can be. Someday I will want to retire and I want my reputation as well as that of my business to be one that, for whoever purchases my business, will be something he or she will be proud to acquire.

Q. What kinds of things are important to you in life?

A. FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!! As we've grown older and lost parents and grandparents, the link to children and grandchildren has become a daily pleasure and strength.

Q. Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer?

A. I think one of my most memorable times (and probably "the defining moment") came very early in my career – the first or second year I prepared taxes. A very young couple came in (not more than 18 years old) with their baby. They were newly assigned to Fort Dix and had never before left the farm in Iowa – I'm not kidding – they both really were farmers' children!! They told me to prepare only the federal return because that was all the money they had to pay me. Well, the return gave them a very nice earned income tax credit. The husband told me I must be wrong and that he did not want to go to jail. I called over two other preparers who assured him I was correct. As he realized what we all said, he started to get teary-eyed.

Then I looked at the young mommy – she was hugging the baby as tightly as she possibly could, and had tears just pouring down her face. When the return was complete, I noticed that they did not even have a snowsuit for the infant – only three little blankets. The refund I helped them get would be very well used and very welcome. That was the first time I recognized that tax preparation was more than just a part-time job that would add dollars to our own family income.

Once again, congratulations Sherry! Thank you for your dedication to the tax profession and to NATP.

Anyone wishing to contact Sherry can e-mail her at taxlady@bellatlantic.net.

July Member of the Month – Nancy Boxum, EA

For the month of July, NATP salutes Nancy Boxum. Nancy is hard worker who never loses sight of her priorities and goals, and who finds that tax preparation blends nicely with her family and other interests in life. An enthusiastic and consistent volunteer within her community and for her Chapter, Nancy is a leader and a pleasure to work with. Congratulations Nancy!

Q.        How many years have you been preparing taxes?

A.       I have been preparing taxes for 23 years.

Q.       What is your business name, where is it located? Do you own it? How many additional staff members do you employ?

A.       I am the owner of Boxum Bookkeeping & Tax Service. I opened my own office in 1987 in Bentley, Kansas. In 1989, we moved to Indiana. My office is in our home in the country, between the cities of Fremont, Angola, and Orland, Indiana. I have a year-round bookkeeping and tax office with two great part-time employees during tax season.

Gloria Hartman has worked for me for seven years as receptionist, assisting our clients as they come and go during the day. Shamar Mansberger has worked for me for three years. She inputs tax return data from drop-off returns, and helps with research. I could not get by without either of these two essential women. My third employee is my husband, Bruce. He keeps my computers and software running and up-to-date. He is also indispensable to me and my business!

Q.       Type and number of returns filed.

A.       When I re-opened my Indiana office in 1989, I did 30 tax returns. Now the numbers are at about 550. Most of the tax returns are individual returns (of which 95 percent are filed electronically). I also do a few partnership and corporation returns.

Q.        Were you in another line of business before doing taxes?

A.       I can really date myself with this question. During college, I worked at a bank helping to convert all their records to the "big" mainframe computer. I then worked in the accounting department for J.I. Case in Wichita, Kansas. I left Case to be home with our two daughters, later returning to college to take courses in taxation (I didn't know what to do with the 1099-R I had received from Case.) I've been hooked on taxes ever since.

Q.        Did you have a mentor early in your career? Do you mentor others?

A.       My mentors would have to be Romauldo and Jean Turner of Tax Wise, Inc. in Wichita, Kansas. After taking the tax class, I wanted to use what I had learned. Romauldo and Jean gave me that opportunity. They are amazing people. They taught me how to prepare tax returns, how to work with the clients, encouraged me to take the enrolled agents exam, and most of all, how to believe in myself. One very important thing they taught me was that while preparing taxes is a job; our families should always come before our jobs. That's why I have loved this job so much. I am doing something I truly enjoy and I can work it around my family and their needs.

Secondly, I have to give credit for having my own business to my husband and our daughters, Ginny and Stacy. They have always backed me and made me feel proud of the success of the business.

I don't specifically set aside time to mentor others per se, but through the Indiana Chapter, we certainly support each other. We e-mail and call each other all year long, sharing ideas, research, tax problems, and solutions. I like to think that others feel they can contact me anytime and maybe I can be of some help.

Q.        Are you involved in other tax-related activities?

A.       I have served on the Indiana NATP Board for 12 years. I stepped down last year, but I have to say…I miss being on the Board and I miss the Board members. I felt it was time someone else had the opportunity to enjoy being on the Board and bring new ideas to our Chapter and annual meeting.

Our state meeting has grown every year. Last year we topped 100 in attendance. My region of the state had at least one round-table meeting each year while I was on the Board. It has always been a good learning experience for the couple of hours we meet. I hope we can continue to meet and share questions and answers with each other in the future. I was on the IRS e-file state update panel last year to encourage practitioners to electronically file returns. Recently, I participated in a conference call on electronic filing and quick services with the IRS.

Q.        What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member?

A.       Education is what originally brought me to NATP. With just starting my own business, I needed CPE's and support. In 1988, I passed the EA exam. NATP's education and research has been my support, especially when I found myself starting over in Indiana. I have depended on NATP, both on the national and state levels. I think NATP classes and instructors are some of the best, and I count on NATP to help keep me abreast of new developments.

Q.        What types of NATP activities have you participated in?

A.       I was at the first organizational meeting of the Indiana Chapter, but I didn't get involved on that level for a few years. Since becoming involved, I've served as a regional director, secretary, and vice-president of our state Chapter. I've attended most of the National Conferences since being on the Board, representing Indiana at the director's meetings at Conference, and taking the information discussed back to our state Board meetings.

Q.       Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial?

A.       Again, education. However, as others have mentioned, networking is almost as important of a reason to be a member of NATP as the education. I encourage NATP members to get involved. NATP provides so many resources and they are all very useful, but get involved; get to know other NATP members. That's when you really gain the richest resources from the organization. Go to your state meetings and get to know your state members, there's a wealth of knowledge shared. Attend the National Conferences and take the knowledge one step farther by applying it and sharing it with others.

I rely on NATP. As a small office with limited resources, I need assistance in understanding the changes in the tax law and how they should be applied. What changes are available to improve my office productivity? What is the latest equipment and software, and how will it benefit me? What new information is coming out of the IRS and the states regarding electronic advances, form changes, etc. that I need to be aware of and should be passing on to my clients? NATP has been the organization that gets this information to me, and I need them to continue to be there as my resource and support.

Q.       What are the biggest challenges facing tax preparers today and is there anything you can see that NATP could do to better prepare them?

A.       I think the biggest challenge is to stay current with the fast-changing technology and the ever-changing tax laws so that we can do our best for our tax clients. Our competition is becoming the "box software." The younger generation is not afraid to give it a try. Our challenge is to show our clients that we offer them more knowledge of tax-saving advantages, thorough understanding of tax law compliance, and we support our clients when their returns are questioned. These are all valuable services that software flowcharts do not offer.

It seems to me that the more you educate yourself in tax law, the more you become aware of how little you really know. The push to "do it yourself" is a bit of an insult to the tax preparer who spends hours each year just trying to keep up. Somehow we need to market to the public that we are members of NATP so that we can better educate ourselves in the field of tax, and that we are professionals that are worth the dollars our clients spend with us.

Another issue, we have all known for sometime that we will probably start to lose more and more of our individual returns, so we should probably expand our tax businesses more toward entity returns. Therefore, I think we need more detailed help (or hands-on examples) in preparing these returns and handling balance sheets and basis with such poorly kept records. We need guidelines to help us assist our clients in understanding that by becoming an LLC and by being incorporated businesses they have a completely new set of rules to follow, not just liability and tax advantages.

Q.       Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.?

A.       Bruce and I have been married for 33 years. As I mentioned earlier, we are originally from Kansas and we moved to Indiana where Bruce is employed with the Dometic Corporation as an application engineering manager and legal coordinator in the recreational vehicle (RV) industry.

Our children have both graduated from college and are out on their own. Ginny works for Churchill Downs as the food and beverage manager in Indianapolis. Stacy is (as my father-in-law calls her) a bug inspector and works for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in Knoxville, Tennessee, monitoring the Eco System. We have two very large cats that most of the tax clients make a point to visit with each year.

We are a family that loves to travel. Bruce does a lot of traveling with his job and once again, this profession allows me the time to accompany him on some of his trips, as soon as tax season is over. Our extended families are not close by, so many of our travels are to visit family and friends.

Q.        What are your goals for the future personally and for your career?

A.       I'm not sure I really have any new goals to achieve in the near future. I'm not looking to grow much larger. I'm very content with the way things are with the business and family life, right now. I feel very blessed to be able have a career, yet still have the freedom and time to be out of the office as much as I am.

Q.        What kinds of things are important to you in life?

A.       It is my hope that others can see how important God is in my life. God has blessed me with wonderful, loving family and friends. My father was a very humble, honest, and gentle man; it would be a very great achievement for me if I could just follow in his footsteps.

Q.       Did you ever have a "defining moment", an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer?

A.       Each tax season is a defining moment: that we make it through the long hours, that we try to understand the law and apply it, that we catch up with what's going on in our clients lives, that we meet new clients, that we do our best to do a good job, and then when April 15th passes, we start preparing and looking toward the next tax season. Most of the time, I don't think it could be better than this.

Once again, congratulations Nancy! Thank you for your dedication to the tax profession and to NATP.

If you wish to contact Nancy, please do so at boxumtax@mchsi.com. 

June Month Member of the Month Anne Scherer

Those who know and work with Anne know she is an energetic worker who gets things done when she sets her mind to it, and she does that often. She has been instrumental in her NATP Chapter and this year, she is doing a great deal to help organize volunteers and arrange tours to welcome members to NATP's National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

A. 37

Q. What is your business name, where is it located? Do you own it? How many additional staff members do you employ?

A. Anne Scherer The Tax Lady LLC is located at 205 W. 2nd St. Duluth, MN, Ste. 201. I am the owner and employ two full-timers all year, one half-timer off-season, and one quarter-timer off-season. During the season, we grow to another one-quarter-time preparer and two more full-time, a receptionist, and an accountant/preparer position.

Q. Type and number of returns filed.

A. We file 1,200 returns. We do individual, Sub. S, Corporations,  Partnerships, and nonprofits. We are also open all year as we do bookkeeping and payroll, as well as debt management. My husband is also a financial planner.

Q. Were you in another line of business before doing taxes?

A. My college degree is in social welfare. I was never able to get a job in that field as there were holds on hiring social service positions in the early seventies when I was looking for work. I was a full-time mother and helped my mother in her tax office.

Q. Did you have a mentor early in your career? Do you mentor others?

A. My mother and my uncle were my mentors as they were both in the tax field. I taught tax preparation for 17 years and see many of my students who are successful in the field. I also utilize an internship program at the University of Minnesota, Duluth to fill out my accounting clerk needs during the season. I am proud of what these young people have gone on to do.

Q. What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member?

A. When I went out on my own, I started in my dining room at the kitchen  table with 36 clients. My oldest son had died the previous March, so I never intended to be in the business for myself. I was going to work for a CPA firm, but clients I had serviced started to call me. I was scared and didn't know what to use for resources and help. I heard about NATP and they became my safety net. I knew I was not alone. I remain a member because the services they provide just keep getting better. I can't imagine a season without using the research and resources they provide. I would not miss a National Conference for anything, as it is the best education available, in my mind. Then there are the update classes that I also do not miss.

Q. What types of NATP activities have you participated in?

A. I have served on the State Board for many years as a Regional Director. I planned regional workshops and a state convention in Duluth. I was state newsletter chairperson for many years. I am currently planning the MN events at National Conference and am in charge of the state volunteers.

Q. Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial?

A. Benefits as stated above. I recommend NATP for one-stop shopping. Research, resources, education, and valuable friendships are all available to you. I also love the ability to talk to others who do what I do and share ideas regarding practice management. Most of us are of one type, independent, small to mid-size, and we can relate to one another as we can in no other organization.

Q. What are the biggest challenges facing tax preparers today and is there anything you can see that NATP could do to better prepare them?

A. Licensing is the biggest new hurdle over which we have to jump. NATP has done all it can to keep us informed. I am sure as soon as they can help with the exam process, they will. The other biggest challenge we face is Turbo Tax and losing clients. We need some marketing skills to make us invaluable.

Q. Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children,  community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.?

A. I am from Florida, born and bred. We moved to Duluth 23 years ago, as my husband was CFO of the Duluth Newspaper. I have been married 38 years to Alan, who retired three years ago and joined the firm. We had three sons. Steven died in 1987 at nineteen while at the University of MN, Gary is an actuary living in Des Moines with his wife Lisa and my granddaughter Alana, 3 ½, and grandson Nolan Steven who is 8 months old. Joe, my youngest is a biostatistician living in Connecticut with his wife Kerstine and my grandson Colin, who is two. Collin was born on APRIL 15th!

I am a member of the American Business Women's Association, the American Association of University Women, the Duluth Women's Club, and am the founding queen mother of my red hat group, known as Sophie's Girls for Sophie Tucker.

I have just been elected into Rotary. I write a column for a magazine known as the Senior Reporter and had a book published several years ago called, "When Lilacs Bloom." I was reviewed in Minnesota Monthly and was called the Erma Bombeck of the Midwest. I am very proud of that. My hobby and my passion is my family, but I also like needlework and gardening. My favorite activity is breakfast in bed on Sunday mornings and walks and movies with my husband.

Q. What are your goals for the future, personally and for your career?

A.  My goal is to retire and be with my grandchildren when they play baseball and softball or are in a recital. I want to be closer to them. As for my career, I want to keep the good reputation that I have and keep the business growing as it has, so I can sell it in a few years and retire knowing it is in good hands and was "golden" when it was sold.

Q. What kinds of things are important to you in life?

A. I have always worked for equality and peace. They continue to be the guiding factors in my life. I know I sound like a Miss America pageant contestant, but I grew up in the South and saw a lot of pain from lack of understanding. I tried to teach people about others then and I continue to do so now. Personally, health and family are my focus.

Q. Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer?

A. My first tax return ever. My client had ten children. I did his taxes and he owed a lot of money. I went to get a Form 2210 and was sweating a storm, as it was not my favorite form and we weren't using computers then. I had to do it by hand. Suddenly, I realized I was taxing him on his income without having subtracted his standard deduction or his exemptions. I went back to the desk and said, "I just thought of an alternative method to compute your taxes. He got a very large refund. On the way out, he turned to the other lady in the office and said, "I hope you never lose this girl. She is great!" If he only knew…

NATP would like to congratulate Anne for being the June Member of the Month. We appreciate the talents she brings to the association and the help she generously volunteers. If you would like to reach Anne for congratulations or a comment, e-mail her at taxlady@infionline.net.

May Member of the Month - Patricia (Ann) McNeer, ATP

Ann McNeer is an industrious advocate and volunteer in her NATP Chapter and in her community, often lending her expertise to shape government and tax programs, as well as to community events. All who know her appreciate her caring and unselfish attitudes.

Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

A. 31 years.

Q. What is your business name, where is it located? Do you own it? How many additional staff members do you employ?

A. My business name is Master Tax Solutions Inc. and it is located in two year-round offices – one at 3909 F. U.S. Hwy. 80, Phenix City, Alabama, and the other at 1518 13th Avenue, Columbus, Georgia. I am the principal shareholder of the corporation and I own the Columbus, Georgia building.

There are three other full-time year-round employees and two year-round part-time employees. During tax season, we add qualified employees when we can find them, which is not always easy.

Q. Type and number of returns filed.

A. We do about 1,000 returns annually, with about 200 of them being entity returns.

Q. Were you in another line of business before doing taxes?

A. In the early years of raising children and working part-time jobs, I did a number of things, including working at a livestock auction and photographing Santa and children at a local department store.

Before I started my own tax business, I worked with H&R Block, and then with my sister-in-law who bought a tax and accounting business. When she retired, I became property manager for a pediatrician who had at that time about 1,500 units in three states and dabbled in real estate sales and appraisals, while doing bookkeeping and taxes part-time out of my home. After three years of that, I decided that if I wanted to work all the time, I might as well do it for myself.

Q. Did you have a mentor early in your career? Do you mentor others?

A. My husband is my mentor. He has always been supportive and encouraging. If I ever even mentioned that I wanted to do or try anything, he stood by me, supporting, reminding, and assisting.

Through the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), I try to encourage new and struggling women business owners. At the office, I have two young employees and I try to help them work toward their potential.

My office manager, Sheila Oakes has been with me for nine years. Working with me was her first office job. She was a godsend. She knew nothing about accounting or any other office work, but was willing and eager to learn. I have offered her every opportunity I could. She has taken advantage of every learning experience and she has supported me in everything I have attempted here at the office. She has become an outstanding tax professional. It would be hard to replace her, as an employee or as a friend.

Q. Are you involved in other tax-related activities?

A. I am also a member of NSA and NSTP and am a volunteer in the Columbus One Stop Shop and Professional Consultant's programs. Both of these activities involve free counseling for start-up businesses and those with tax or accounting-related problems. I provide tax law change updates to the Chamber of Commerce's government affairs committee and chair the local government committee. As a member of the City of Columbus' Business Tax Commission, I worked with others to completely overhaul the city's system of taxing local businesses.

Q. What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member?

A. I joined NATP shortly after starting my business, mainly for the educational benefits and for the support system and knowledge of associates in the same profession. I was involved in the creation of the state Chapter and have appreciated the wonderful networking opportunities, tax information sharing, and business tips I have learned. Further, I have come to know some great people at the national office and at NATP events.

Q. What types of NATP activities have you participated in?

A. I participated in the formation of the Georgia Chapter and have been a director since the beginning. At the state level, I have served as nominations chair, government affairs chair, and treasurer. For a number of years I have been the education chair and have been responsible for the annual meeting and all educational sessions. I am happy to report that our attendance has grown to more than three times the attendance we had when I started. On the national level, I have been a state volunteer for both Georgia and Alabama many years. For the past two years, I served on the nominations committee.    

Q. Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial?

A. There are so many reasons that I find NATP invaluable and it's easy to recommend membership to people I come in contact with. NATP's education is excellent and timely. Research services are another valuable benefit. It is a great reassurance to know I have someone I can call if I have a tax situation come up that I can't find an answer for. There are a number of other reasons I am a member, as well.

The ability to help clients who move away find a replacement accountant by searching the database is a benefit I have used numerous times since a client told me she came to me because her old accountant was an NATP member who found my name in the membership directory.

The weekly e-mail updates, the magazine (TAXPRO Quarterly Journal), and the monthly newsletter (TAXPRO Monthly) help me stay on top of tax developments. The press releases help me easily provide timely tax articles for clients and local newspapers.

NATP supplies are inexpensive and help us project a professional image.

I have met many fine people in the course of my NATP activities, both members from around the country and national board members. Because I have been closely involved with meeting planning on the state level, I have met helpful and interesting IRS, Georgia, and Alabama tax authorities. I have found many of the "vendors" to be friendly and helpful. But most of all, I benefit from close relationships with current and former Georgia members.

Q. What are the biggest challenges facing tax preparers today and is there anything you can see that NATP could do to better prepare them?

A. As always there is the challenge of keeping up with the changing legislation. Now, we see individuals trying and doing their own taxes with inexpensive tax programs and online. Because taxes are complex, it is not as easy to do your own return as the software companies try to imply, creating problems and both overpaid and underpaid taxes.

We see people in search of quick money sometimes professing to be tax experts and then closing up shop before the IRS letters come. Both of these things create additional work in fixing problems and frustration in dealing with the system.

The IRS is becoming harder to deal with. More and more, we see people shopping prices for tax services, when in the past there was more emphasis placed on relationship building. NATP can and does help by being our voice with Congress and by keeping us informed when potentially dangerous legislation is introduced.

In the environment we work in today, name recognition is important. As smaller preparers, we need a national marketing plan to help educate taxpayers and let them know that not everyone who advertises that they do taxes is knowledgeable enough to do a good job. We need to make sure everyone knows what NATP is and that it stands for integrity. It needs to be a household word. When I call upon vendors, I am surprised that some don't know about the organization. The national office is working to change this.

The name recognition is improving, but it's a continual need. Locally, we had a tax preparer arrested for numerous illegal activities. As a result, the newspaper carried several articles about tax preparation and tax preparer fraud.  Both Sam Grubbs (the GA Chapter president) and I mentioned NATP in our articles. I hope that ALL members will do the same every chance they get. The Georgia Chapter provides permanent nametags to all Georgia annual meeting attendees. These nametags have the GA NATP logo as well as the member name and company name. We also sell shirts with the GA NATP logo. The IRS also mentions NATP as a consideration on their website when determining how to select a preparer. Efforts make inroads.

Q. Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.?

A. I have been married for nearly forty years and have three children and eight grandchildren. My husband is a retired firefighter. None of my children or grandchildren live nearby. Two are in England and two are on the way to Hawaii for three years, as my son and one son-in-law are in the Air Force.

My oldest granddaughter joined my husband and I in San Francisco during the NATP Conference last summer as part of her high school graduation present. When the children were growing up, I was active in PTA and all the youth sports. I was scorekeeper, concession stand manager, and was a Little League officer and treasurer for a number of years. I was an active member of the Columbus fire department ladies auxiliary, and later the secretary of our county volunteer fire department.

I am a charter member of the Columbus Chapter of NAWBO and have held a number committee positions including treasurer. Currently I am president. I am a member of the Columbus, Georgia, Phenix City, Alabama, and Harris County, Georgia Chambers of Commerce. I serve on a number of government affairs-related committees and have chaired a few.

In 2000, I received the SBA's Accountant Advocate of the Year award for Georgia and for the Southeastern Region. In 2001, we received the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Small Business Giant award. In November 2003, we won the Family Friendly Business award from One Columbus, The Family Center, and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. This year we won the Small Business of the Year award and a Congressional Commendation during Black History month.

We have participated in the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser for the last three years. Last year we raised nearly $5,000. In the past, I have been "locked up" for Muscular Dystrophy and St. Judes.

On a more personal note, I enjoy working in the yard, boating, sewing, reading, and camping. My husband and I built (hammering, sawing, painting, tiling, etc.) our current home, and we are in the process of constructing a cabin in the North Carolina mountains.

Q. What are your goals for the future personally and for your career?

A. After years of procrastination, I took and passed the EA exam, got my Insurance Series 6 and 63 licenses. I plan to spend less time doing bookkeeping and more time helping clients with finances and tax problems. In a few years, I want to reduce my work schedule to part-time in the off-season and spend more time exploring the mountains.

Q. What kinds of things are important to you in life?

A. My faith and my family are most important. My employees are like family. My clients are also important to me. Many have been with me their entire business careers and I now have the children and grandchildren of original clients as clients. Ethics are important. Providing quality services is important. Staying healthy is important.

Q. Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer?

A. I guess my defining moment was the day I got the letter telling me I had won the two SBA Awards. When the University of Georgia asked to nominate me, I figured I, a non-CPA without a college degree, had no chance. However, when they sat down with me to do the actual paperwork for the nomination and I thought about the way I spend my time, I was surprised. I spend each day doing what I want for others and myself, and I never think about that as anything special. 

We certainly think Ann IS special. Congratulations Ann, on being the May 2005 Member of the Month!

If you are interested in commenting to Ann about this article, please contact her at Mastertaxsolutions@msn.com.

April Member of the Month - Don Merry, EA

The NATP staff nominated Don for the honor of April 2005 Member of the Month. Don has been a fantastic advocate for NATP, personally sending over 200 letters to his associates in Alaska in an effort to begin an NATP Chapter there. His effort is on-going and with such a positive attitude, we are sure Don will reach the goal.

Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

A. I have been preparing tax returns since 1976 with the exception of a four and one-half year break from 1987 to 1991 to work as a Revenue Agent for the IRS.

Q. What is your business name, where is it located? Do you own it? How many additional staff members do you employ?

I am the owner of Pinnacle Tax Associates, LLC in Soldotna, Alaska where I employ three staff members.

Q. Type and number of returns filed. 

A.  (350) 1040

     ( 20) 1120S

     ( 3) 1120

     ( 6) 1065

Q. Were you in another line of business before doing taxes?

A. Prior to preparing tax returns, I was the manager of a variety store. I went back to school at Portland State University which allowed me to change my career path.

Q. Are you involved in other tax-related activities?

A. Life insurance and mortgage loans, refinance and debt consolidation loans, IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement vehicles.

Q. What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member?

A. Tax research services, CPE, and fellowship with peers brought me to NATP.

Q. What types of NATP activities have you participated in?

A. The latest was the National Conference in San Francisco.

Q. Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial?

A. I endorse the same things that brought me here – tax research services, CPE, and fellowship with peers.

Q. What are the biggest challenges facing tax preparers today and is there anything you can see that NATP could do to better prepare them?

Time. There never seems to be enough time to do all that you want to; especially professionally. NATP does help by providing reliable research and support – doing work that we would either have to pay for in-house or at a higher cost.

Q. Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.?

A. I'm married and my wife's name is Martha. We raised eight children on a homestead in Alaska.

Q. What are your goals for the future personally and for your career?

A. I want to grow my business to $125k gross sales from taxes, do $3,000,000 in mortgage loans, and $1,000,000 in annuity sales during 2006. In my free time, I want to see a Chapter of NATP established in Alaska.

Q. What kinds of things are important to you in life?

A. My Lord Jesus Christ; spending time with my wife and family; baseball; keeping up with tax law changes.

Q. Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer?

Yes, but none that I want to admit to.

 

Once again, congratulations Don! Thank you for your dedication to the tax profession and to NATP.

Anyone wishing to contact Don can e-mail him at dmerry@merrytaxresults.com.

March 2005 Member of the Month - Paul Koss

The NATP staff nominated Paul for the honor of March 2005 Member of the Month.

Q.  How many years have you been preparing taxes?

A.  I have been preparing tax returns for 34 years.

Q.  What is your business name, where is it located? Do you own it? How many additional staff members do you employ?

A.  Prior to incorporation as Paul Koss Company, Inc., in 1999, I was self-employed using the business name of Nashoba Valley Accounting Service. It was located in Westford, MA. Currently my office is located in my home in Amherst, MA and I employ one (1) additional staff person.

Q.  Type and number of returns filed.

A.  Based on 2003 information, we filed 342 individual tax returns, 24 business tax returns (1065, 1120, 1120S), 2 not-for-profit tax returns (990), and 4 trust tax returns.

Q.  Were you in another line of business before doing taxes?

A.  Prior to preparing tax returns, I held the position of Controller for a few businesses. I figured preparing taxes was the next evolution in the cycle.

Q.  Did you have a mentor early in your career? Do you mentor others?

A.  During my formative years I had a few mentors but the most significant  one was a CPA who was located in Dracut, MA who proved to me that preparing tax returns was very rewarding. Through the years, I have been called upon by several of my peers for assistance and guidance.

Q.  Are you involved in other tax-related activities?

A.  Other than sitting on other Boards of Directors and holding several  Treasurer's positions, I tend to use other professionals. Doing so affords my clients the opportunity to hear another professional's opinion. I don't profess to know everything.

Q.  What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member?

A.  When I researched the professional tax-related groups back in the early 80's, I noticed NATP and decided to attend the tax 1040 programs. Once I attended, it was clear to me I needed to join. What keeps me with NATP is my interest in the tax profession and the knowledge that NATP can help me improve my skills and awareness.  

Q.  What types of NATP activities have you participated in?

A. Over the past 20 plus years with NATP, I was one of the original incorporators for my State Chapter. I have continued being an active member, holding positions as treasurer from 1995-2002, and president from 2003-2004. I was just elected secretary for 2005. I am a State volunteer and mentor, and have attended many National Conferences and 1040 seminars. Two years ago I was also a finalist for the National Board of Directors.

Q.  Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial?

A.  NATP provides so much wealth of knowledge through its educational seminars and support that I feel confident when recommending membership to a potential new member, that each new member will be able to experience what I have experienced. My involvement in NATP has afforded me the opportunity to receive valuable knowledge through education, the ability to network, and to associate myself with a tremendous number of individuals whom I can call friends.

Q.  What are the biggest challenges facing tax preparers today and is there anything you can see that NATP could do to better prepare them?

A.  I believe that challenges are self-generated. Staying current with tax law is obvious; being able to provide professionalism with integrity, and following the guidelines of Circular 230 are in my mind, the challenges facing tax preparers. NATP has provided the tools that are necessary to facilitate and face these challenges.

Q.  Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.?

A.  I have been married to my wife Elizabeth (Betty) for 35 plus years and we have two children Andrea (32) and Howard (28) both married, thank God, and we have one grandchild Ben (he's fantastic).

Both my wife and I are active within our Synagogue. I have been a certified basketball official since 1983, officiating at the high school and division three college levels. My wife and I enjoy traveling and we really enjoy and love being around our family and friends.

Q.  What are your goals for the future personally and for your career?

A.  I will usually set goals for myself once everything has cleared from the end of tax season and will analyze the positive as well as the negative situations from the just completed tax season. Usually the goals I set for myself are improving upon those positive and negative situations.

Q.  What kinds of things are important to you in life?

A.  Living is important. Being able to be with my family and friends are paramount.

Q.  Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer?

A.  Embarrassing moment: I neglected to include a K-1 tax form on my own tax return. Yes, I did file amended returns.

nce again, congratulations Paul. Thank you for your dedication to the tax profession and to NATP. Anyone wishing to contact Paul can e-mail him at numbersman6127@comcast.net.

February 2005 Member of the Month - Donald A. Shepherd, CA, CFP, TEP, CPA

Don Shepherd was nominated by NATP staff for the honor of February 2005 Member of the Month.

Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

A. I've been preparing taxes for 30 years.

Q. What is your business name and where is it located?Do you own it? How many additional staff members do you employ?

A. Name: Donald A. Shepherd, CA, CFP, TEP, CPA
Location: 268 Main Street North, Brampton, ON, L6V 1P5 (Canada)
Staff: One full-time and two part-time.
I am the sole proprietor of the business.

Q. Type and number of returns filed.

A. We prepare personal and corporate returns for both Canada and the U.S.A. We also prepare trust returns.

My practice encompasses compilation and review engagements of financial statement. On the tax side, I am a Canadian tax specialist with added expertise in cross-border tax issues. Cross-border tax issues involve American citizens living in Canada and Canadians owing U.S. rental properties or carrying on a business in the U.S. Accordingly, there are three bodies of tax law to deal with: The Canadian Income Tax Act, the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and the U.S.-Canada Tax Convention (1980).

I am a member of the following professional organizations:

  • Canadian and Ontario Institutes of Chartered Accountants (I obtained my CA designation in 1976);
  • Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners;
  • The Financial Planning Standards Council of Canada; and of course
  • The National Association of Tax Professionals.

I am also a licensed public accountant in the Province of Ontario.

Q. Were you in another line of business before doing taxes?

A. Previously, I was an auditor in a major Canadian firm. I have however,  spent my entire professional career in public practice. In 1972, after graduating from York University in Toronto with an Honours Bachelor Science degree in physics, I decided to change careers and joined a small CA firm as a "student in accounts". In 1975, I changed CA firms to work for a CA firm, Eddis & Associates, which started back in the late 1800s. After I obtained my CA designation in 1976, Eddis merged with a firm by the name of Campbell Sharp and it was with that firm, I started to work full- time in Canadian taxation.

In 1983, I changed CA firms again to become a senior tax manager with Dunwoody & Co., which eventually became BDO Dunwoody. It was Dunwoody where I started to work in U.S. taxes and cross-border tax issues. Finally, in 1994, I went out on my own to work as sole practitioner. Since that time, with the help of NATP, I have to been able to build up an expertise in U.S. taxation and cross-border issues under the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention. Finally, I obtained my CPA designation through the University of Illinois after writing the IQEX exam in 2002. I am also a Certified Financial Planner and a Trust and Estate Practitioner.

Q. Did you have a mentor early in your career? Do you mentor others?

A. Rules of professional conduct require that staff be adequately trained and supervised. I was fortunate enough to work for several tax partners who took an interest in my career and coached me accordingly. Someday, I hope to return the favor to a young professional who is just starting out.

Q. Are you involved in other tax-related activities?

A. Tax planning involving succession planning and corporate reorganizations. Trust and estate practitioner, which involves the review of trust indentures and preparation of trust returns. Other work involves setting up new businesses by getting them properly registered with the taxation authorities.

Q. What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member?

A. I needed an organization that taught U.S. tax and had a research department that I could phone. For these reasons, I have continued my membership in NATP. As well, I find it interesting and beneficial to network with fellow practitioners at NATP conferences. Although I have a somewhat different practice than my counterparts in the United States, I have found that we can always find common ground in dealing with technology, finding staff, and everything else that involves the running a business.

Q. What types of NATP activities have you participated in?

A. Recent courses include: 1040, 1040 Extra, and recently the NATP Symposium in Arizona.

Q. Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial?

A. I would recommend NATP to others to take advantage primarily of NATP's courses and research department.

Q. What are the biggest challenges facing tax preparers today and is there anything you can see that NATP could do to better prepare them?

A. As always, learning new law and keeping up with technology.

Q. Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.?

A. I have been married for 30 years to my wife, Judi. We have no children. My wife is my only full-time employee. Judi graduated from York University in Toronto, (guess where we met?), with a BSc in psychology and a BA in mathematics. Her responsibilities include bookkeeping, preparation of sales tax returns, and office administration (that is to say, she is the one who keeps me in line, here at the office and at home).  One pet, Pippy the cat. Hobbies include sailing, camping, and wine making, Community involvement: Member and Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Brampton-Heart Lake. Member of the Brampton Board of Trade. Member of Ionic Lodge No. 229 of GRC (Masonic). Member of Peel Chapters (another Masonic lodge).

Q. What are your goals for the future personally and for your career?

A. Career: To expand my practice and professional knowledge. Personally: To do more traveling with my wife. I have also recently signed up to learn how to ride a motorcycle at a local college.

Q. What kinds of things are important to you in life?

A. Family and community. I believe that it is important to be involved in things outside of the office. My lodge gives me camaraderie. My rotary club allows me to give something back to the community. Our rotary club is involved in the "Breakfast for Kids" program which is run in 10 to 12 schools. The objective of the program is provide a breakfast to any child who is hungry in the morning regardless of their family situation. Our other major work is raising money for a very special camp, Camp Oochigeas, a camp for kids with cancer.

For the past several years, several cyclists bike 175 miles from the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto to the Camp in central Ontario. The objective of this camp is to give these kids a normal summer camp experience even though they still have to head off to the med shed everyday to get their injections. The camp gives them hope, courage, and inspiration; precious commodities they need as they fight this hideous disease. For more information on this camp, go to www.ooch.org.

Q. Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer?

A. My most memorable moments include participating in a TV phone-in show on tax on a local cable channel. While we were live on stage, a false wall behind us started to fall forward onto us. I found it to be quite distracting.

A defining moment is probably when I was accepted into the tax department of a large Canadian chartered accountant firm in Toronto in 1978. Most embarrassing: None thank God.

 

Once again, congratulations Don, for all you do to shine a positive light on the tax profession. Anyone wishing to contact Don can e-mail him at dshep@bellnet.ca.

January 2005 Member of the Month - Frederic Neuburger, CFP

Frederic Neuburger was nominated by NATP staff for the honor of January Member of the Month.

Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

A. Almost 35 years (since 1970).

 

Q. What is your business name, where is it located? Do you own it? How many additional staff members do you employ?

A. I am self-employed and my "business" is located wherever I happen to be, generally in the Syracuse, NY area. Most of my returns are prepared on my computer in my client's homes. My daughter e-files and handles all processing and mailing. My son-in-law (David Rutkowski, EA, CFP, NATP member) prepares trust returns and handles anything more technical than turning the computer on.

I am also the founder and now a partner in a high-volume low-complexity RAL and e-file tax business (along with my son-in-law and another person) that prepares about 2,500 tax returns.             

 

Q. Type and number of returns filed.

A. I only prepare individual tax returns of which I personally prepare more than 1,100 annually. Considering that most appointments are held in my client's homes, this is really quite a lot. Almost all returns are e-filed. Other than children's returns, I do virtually no "short forms."

 

Q. Were you in another line of business before doing taxes?

A. This is a far trickier question than you could ever imagine. Preparing taxes still is only a complementary business to my main occupation of being a registered representative and financial advisor with Legend Equities Corp. A large percentage of my tax clients have also become investment clients, and vice versa. In many cases, it is a chicken or the egg as to which came first.

Prior to joining Legend in 1983, I was controller for four divisions of a manufacturing company. I prepared about 350 tax returns "on the side." Although I do not prepare business returns, I do have a masters degree in accounting that every now and then does come in handy.  

 

Q. Did you have a mentor early in your career? Do you mentor others? 

A. I supervise about 15 other Legend representatives and often speak both locally and at national conferences about tax opportunities for our representatives. I have written four articles for NATP in which I have tried to relate financial opportunities to our membership. I am somewhat bemused that an article I wrote some years ago on whether NATP members should become licensed financial professionals was used by one of Legend's competitors to recruit NATP members to join their company.       

 

Q. Are you involved in other tax-related activities?

A. Tax knowledge is an integral and vital part of advising my Legend clients but I am not otherwise involved in tax-related activities, at least not deliberately.                    

 

Q. What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member?

A. Most of my clients are "middle class" individuals. It is extremely helpful to me to have a research organization available. On certain subjects (LTC, 403(b), IRAs) I feel that I have a great deal of knowledge and I have professional resources within Legend to supplement my knowledge. In other areas, I need a reliable resource.

The NATP conference is also of great use to me in fulfilling my CPE requirements. I think the NATP staff does a superb job in presenting material.

I also greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss certain tax matters with many NATP speakers.  

 

Q. What types of NATP activities have you participated in?

A.  I try to attend the national conference and I go to area workshops when I feel they would be beneficial.

            

Q. Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial?

A. I believe NATP represents an outstanding professional resource.

Personally, I benefit from articles and professional conferences.

 

Q. What are the biggest challenges facing tax preparers today and is there anything you can see that NATP could do to better prepare them?

A. I see NATP members facing enormous challenges. Highest income taxpayers mostly demand a professional degree regardless of an individual NATP member's ability or background. The large tax services have huge advertising budgets and promise a standard of performance they rarely achieve. The IRS is constantly looking for ways to enable taxpayers to eliminate the need for our services. Less qualified tax preparers undercut our fee structure and damage our reputation by delivering poor service.

I see two directions NATP members can go. One is to become truly specialized in certain types of tax returns, such as farms or small businesses. The other, that I find to be incredibly satisfying, is to become a financial advisor to complement their services as a tax preparer. I love to prepare taxes but the revenue I receive from doing taxes is a small fraction of my total income. However, regardless of any income I might earn, the appreciation I get from my clients for helping them with financial matters goes far above any economics.

 

Q. Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.?

A. I have been married to my wife Carole for many years. We have one son and I inherited four stepdaughters when we got married. We have eight grandchildren and are expecting four more next year.

I am a trustee and head of the finance committee of a local charity called "Prevention Network." We work to prevent alcohol, drug, and other addictions.

I play high level tournament duplicate bridge for enjoyment and am a horrible golfer. I keep score honestly at bridge.

We love to travel and we have gone on many wonderful vacations. As a self-employed person, every day is potentially a holiday!

 

Q. What are your goals for the future personally and for your career?

A. At the immediate moment, I am trying to convince the Big East Basketball Conference to adopt a better scheduling format so that Syracuse can continue to battle UConn for national basketball championships, instead of worrying about rinkydink conferences such as the ACC, Big Ten, SEC, etc. (just kidding). Professionally, I really don't have any goals other than to try to continue doing what I have been doing and loving for over 30 years.

  

Q. What kinds of things are important to you in life?

A. Love, caring, respect for others, integrity, a sense of humor, and hopefully an appreciation of what has been given to me. I try to practice my religion.

 

Q. Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer?

A. My most embarrassing moment was going to a client's house, and being told by a teenage child that her parents weren't home yet from grocery shopping, but I could come in and wait for them. When the parents came home, I was busily talking on their phone to another client, when I realized to my horror that I was in the wrong house and I had no idea who these people were!

Another time, I was trying to find a house in a rare Syracuse snowstorm. The roads were so snow covered that I had to knock on a door and ask if I could use the phone (this was pre-cell phone) to get directions. It turned out the house I was looking for was next door, but the crowning touch was that the people who so generously let me use their phone needed to have their taxes done! The next year the old clients moved away, but I kept my new clients for many years! I would not, however, suggest this as a way to build your business today!

 

Per Fred Neuburger, reprints of this article must be approved by Legend Equities Corp. Any members who wish to contact Fred can use fredericneuburger@legendequities.com.

Six Syracuse-area NATP members are licensed with Legend Equities Corp. Anyone who might be interested in learning more about Legend Equities Corp. may contact Gary O'Connor at www.legendgroup.com.


All contents copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
National Association of Tax Professionals
720 Association Drive, PO Box 8002, Appleton, WI   54912-8002
Phone: 800.558.3402  Fax: 800.747.0001
E-Mail: natp@natptax.com
Click here for our Hyperlink Disclaimer. 
Click here for our Privacy Statement.