Member of the Month - 2007

    annamayer02December 2007 Member of the Month – Anna Mayer, EA, CSA

    Anna Mayer knows the value of having someone to defer to when she has questions regarding tax preparation. That's why Anna volunteered to mentor another member through NATP's Mentor Program and also serves on the Michigan Chapter Board. Congratulations Anna, on being chosen as NATP's December Member of the Month!

    Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

    A. 26 years

    Q.Tell us about your business:

    A. I own AIM Tax and Financial in Bridgeport, Michigan. We employ 3 to 5 people during tax season and 2 part-time otherwise.

    Q. Approximately how many returns do you file each year?

    A. We filed about 800 returns last year and plan to file approximately 1,000 during the 2007 filing season.  

    Q. What type of returns do you file?

    A. We file all types of returns. Each year the number of small business returns that we do increases. Our specialty or niche market is preparing returns for day care providers. The local MSU Extension Services office has on a number of occasions invited me participate in the Q & A section of their day care provider and family child care provider's training sessions.

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

    A. No. After graduating from high school I completed a certificate program to become a travel agent. But then my husband and I decided to begin our family and our first son was born the next summer.

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

    A. No. It would have been great to have had a mentor during those early years of doing taxes. Joining NATP and having a research department available to answer my questions was a definite plus. And, it was with pride that I'd tell my clients that I belonged to an organization that was well qualified to assist me with any tax matters I wasn't sure about.

    Q. Do you mentor others?

    A. Yes. I was contacted by NATP earlier this year to be a mentor to another member. We corresponded by email through the spring and summer and finally met in September at the MI NATP's "2 for 1" seminar. This event was my mentee's first NATP function, but it won't be the last as she's agreed to volunteer at one of MI NATP's fall Piggyback seminars.  My six-month commitment as mentor is now over, but the friendship that we formed during that time will continue.

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

    A. Financial planning often goes hand in hand with taxes so in 1999 I became a registered investment advisor to better serve our clients.

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

    A. I joined NATP because of their research department. As a new tax preparer working on my own it was comforting to know there was someone – NATP – there to answer my questions as needed.

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

    A. I have volunteered at several MI NATP seminars and was privileged this year to be elected to the MI NATP board. My experience so far is that the MI board is a group of dedicated, caring individuals that work surprisingly hard to plan and prepare a variety of educational events for the preparers in Michigan.

    Q. Why do you recommend NATP to others? 

    A. NATP is there for me when I need answers and it's important to be part of a community of like-minded individuals that are there to serve each other.                                                

    Q. What member benefits are most beneficial to you?

    A. Research services, the ability to directly call an NATP member in another state for assistance, and the education opportunities.

    Q. What are the biggest challenges facing tax professionals today?

    A. Personally, my greatest challenge is staying current and well versed on all the changes in tax law.  I've always felt it's my responsibility to educate my clients, and with the increase in audits, which we've begun to see in the last few years, I now must stress audit preparedness too – stressing to the clients they must be able to substantiate their deductions.

    Q. What could NATP do to better prepare them for those challenges?

    A. Keep doing what you're doing. I feel NATP is doing a good job keeping up with the (technological and tax) changes. Classes are offered in various ways to meet the varied needs of preparers and it's up to us to take advantage of those opportunities.

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

    A. Family is my first priority. My husband and I have been married for 29 years and have eight wonderful children, two incredible daughters-in-law, one awesome son-in-law and one adorable grandson. I have home schooled my children for almost as long as I've prepared taxes, which left me with little time for other activities or community involvement other than church where I've taught Sunday School from time to time. Attending my children's sports events and reading are my favorite past times. One of the most recent books I've read and recommend is the, "The 4-Hour Workweek" by Timothy Ferriss.

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

    A. Someday I would like to complete my college degree. Several years ago I began attending Baker College On-line and have almost completed a degree in business. Then, about three years ago my three eldest children decided to have weddings within a span of four months and I just haven't gotten myself back into the college groove. I very much enjoy having my own business and now that I have a dependable (albeit part-time) staff it gives me more freedom to come and go as needed. My goal is to systematize the business so that it can continue to operate without my everyday presence. Four of my children live out-of-state and I want to be able to visit them without worrying if my clients are being properly cared for.

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

    A. My faith and my family are very important to me. Guiding and training my children to become responsible adults is my number one priority as a parent.

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

    A. The 2000 tax season was my last year to work from a home office. In addition to preparing taxes and home schooling I was also running a day care and that tax season I knew I had met my limit. As there was no way I could care for six children in addition to my own and prepare taxes I hired a wonderful assistant to care for the children while I did the taxes. But, I felt I was cheating everyone – my family, my clients, and the children in my day care. That summer I gave up the day care business and began looking for office space. Many of my clients preferred coming to my home rather than the office but made the adjustment with my family and me without too many complaints. Running my business from a home office never seemed to be a deterrent to our clients, but the business had grown to the point that I needed help to give them the quality of service they deserved.

    You can contact Anna at: anna@aimtax.com

    steveodemNovember 2007 Member of the Month – Steve Odem, EA

    Steve Odem is a teacher, mentor, and business owner – and now he's also NATP's November Member of the Month. For years Steve has shared his vast tax and accounting knowledge by teaching at various colleges as well as instructing for NATP.  Now Steve has extended his leadership role by becoming a mentor in NATP's Mentor Program and has found it to be a very worthwhile experience. Congratulations Steve!

    Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

    A. Over 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. I own Kathleen Accounting and Tax Service, LLC.  We have offices in Lakeland and Tampa, Florida.  In addition to my wife and our two daughters, we have a board certified tax attorney and two part-time accountants.

    Q. Approximately how many returns do you file each year? What type of returns do you file?

    A. In 2006, through September 27, we e-filed about 190 Federal returns, primarily 1040 but also some corporations, many with states as far away as Massachusetts and California.  So far we have also done a little over 100 paper returns.  Partnerships, trusts, and related personals yet to come!

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

    A. I have also been an adjunct professor of business and economics, teaching arcane subjects like economics and finance.

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

    A. My father and mother were my mentors - they have been gone for many years and are greatly missed. I signed up with NATP to mentor, and they matched me with Phil O'Hare.  He lives north of Tampa and we have been e-mailing since early this year but have never been able to actually meet in person.

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

    A. Is there life besides taxes? Seriously, I spend time with family. Our oldest daughter will be a college junior this December, majoring in business, and our youngest daughter is in 9th grade. They keep us busy!

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

    A. NATP had a program of education and training that seemed to fit with my needs.

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

    A. The education and training has been very important and worthwhile to me, and the conferences, with the opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas, are also valuable.

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

    A. The education and training, as well as a forum to meet other practitioners.

    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. Congress is in session and no one is safe!

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

    A. Our girls and their school activities keep us busy. Last year our youngest went to Tallahassee for the All State History Fair and the Youth In Government program. She also plays violin in orchestra, bells in bell choir, sings in chancel choir when she finds time and is active in the church youth group.  My wife is busy with Sunday school and youth.  Last summer they both went to a church retreat in North Carolina.  Our oldest daughter took accounting last summer and also did a church mission trip to Brazil – she wants to go back!  I'm on the church outreach and property committees.

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

    A. Support the girls through their college and career choices.

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

    A. Our family is very important to me.

    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 worked some very complex cases and I've done quite a bit of work with mergers and acquisitions.

    For example, I was brought into a U.S. corporation nearly three years after it had acquired a foreign company. The foreign company had foreign employees, one of whom had rights to stock in any company that acquired the foreign company.  He had exercised those rights, and the corporation needed to report the transaction. I worked it with an IRS agent who always gave me a very good-natured hard time about it.  As he put it, "Have you found that rounding error yet? You are only off $7 million on a $5 billion payroll."  Yes, we found it.

    In another case, a client had brought in a CPA to manage the finances of several corporations.  I found numerous irregularities with the CPA's work totaling some $1.9 million, and we filed a complaint against the CPA.

    I do a fairly significant amount of international tax work, involving a long list of foreign countries.  Frankly, international is by far the most complex field of tax.

    Steve can be contacted at steve@katax.biz.

    kathleengarrowOctober 2007 Member of the Month – Kathleen A. Garrow, EA

    As a sole proprietor, Kathleen Garrow knows the challenges of starting up a business but she found guidance and support from NATP and fellow NATP members. Along with her contributions to the NATP New York Chapter, she volunteers her time with various community organizations, while still finding time to fit in her favorite outdoor activities. Congratulations Kathleen, on being chosen as NATP's October Member of the Month!

    Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

    A. 14 Years

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

    A. Kathy's Bookkeeping and Tax Service, 104 Warrensburg Road, Stony Creek, NY  12878.  I own the business, as a sole proprietor. I employ one part-time staff member January to April.

    Q. Approximately how many returns do you file each year? What type of returns do you file?

    A. 300 – Personal Income Tax, Corporate, Partnership, Payroll, Sales Tax, and Business reporting returns 1099's

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

    A. I worked as controller of a family-owned retail home center.

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

    A. I have had several people give me encouragement.  Those early in my career would be Tony Poulos, a public accountant. Then Ralph Sommers, whom I serve with on the Board of Directors of the NATP NYS Chapter. At the first NYS educational seminar I attended, about 14 years ago, Ralph took the time to listen and give encouragement on my start-up business plan.

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

    A. I am on the Board of Directors for the NYS Chapter of NATP. I currently serve as the NYS Chapter's Education Committee's Secretary.

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

    A. The education seminars, the weekly newsletter, interaction with other NATP members, the semi-annual Tax Tips newsletter for my clients, NATP lobbying efforts on behalf of its membership, and the affordability of the annual member dues, to name a few.

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

    A. Educational seminars, Annual Conference, and I use NATP's research service.

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

    A. I recommend NATP to other tax professional as a way for sole proprietors to keep in touch with tax professional colleagues. Educational seminars and the research department are very beneficial to my business.

    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. Staying current with the changing federal and state tax laws. Also staying current with the changing technology. NATP is doing the job to prepare us for these challenges by keeping their education and research to the highest standards.

    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 husband, Marshall Garrow, for 28 years. I have been a trustee, active fundraiser, and Treasurer for the past ten years of The Stony Creek Free Library Board of Trustees; I perform accounting services for the Lake George Arts Project and Stony Creek Volunteer Fire Company; and I am a telephone contact for the Stony Creek Chamber of Commerce.

    My hobbies and favorite activities include gardening, skiing, canoeing, reading, and dinner parties.

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

    A. My long-term goal is to continue to prepare income tax returns for individuals and small business, and drop the day-to-day bookkeeping service, so my husband and I can travel during the summer months. This will also enable me to teach for the NYS Chapter educational seminars.

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

    A. Family and community involvement.

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

    A. Every year I sit and talk to my tax clients and catch up on their family, I feel like it is "old home" week. This reinforces the reason I prepare income taxes. Because my clients are like family, I strive to be the very best professional tax preparer I can be. By being a member of NATP I will be the best professional tax preparer.

    You can contact Kathleen at: garrow1@frontiernet.net.

    jaimeehammerSeptember 2007 Member of the Month – Jaimee Hammer

    Tax preparer and professional singer – these are just some of the titles associated with Jaimee Hammer, our September member of the month. Jaimee not only runs her own tax practice and serves on the NATP New Jersey Chapter Board of Directors, but she has also built a successful career from her singing talent.  She even managed to combine her two careers of taxes and singing at a past IRS Tax Forum, with surprising results (read on for the full story). Congratulations Jaimee!

    Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

    A. 8 Years

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

    A. JM Taxes, 213 Clements Bridge Road, Barrington, NJ 08007

    I own my business and am also the sole employee.

    Q. Approximately how many returns do you file each year? What type of returns do you file?

    A. I file just under 100 returns in my own business.  That includes about 95% personal and 5% estates and trusts.  I have also worked part time for other tax businesses. Including my other work, I prepare about 250 returns each tax season.

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

    A. No, but simultaneously I have been working as a professional singer for the same amount of time.

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

    A. Yes, Sherry Diamond has definitely been a mentor to me. I started preparing taxes and working for her in 1999. I learned a lot about taxes and running a business by her side.  After I opened my own business, I continued to work for her part time as I grew my own business and still do.

    Colette Taylor has been a great support for me in building my own successful practice. She helped me believe that I could do it.  We have been sharing an office space for the past few years. We are a great resource to each during tax season for information, as well as for laughs.

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

    A. I have been on the NJ NATP Board of Directors for 3 years.

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

    A. I was a member of other organizations first, but when I joined NATP, at the recommendation of other tax preparers, I found that it was the best organization out there.

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

    A. I have been at every local symposium and update seminar since I joined.  I have attended National Conference for the last two years.

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

    A. I find that the education opportunities are the best available to tax professionals.  I have also enjoyed the professional support that comes with networking at conferences and being involved with my local chapter's board of directors.

    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 possibility of mandatory licensing of tax professionals is growing ever closer. This issue has many pros and cons. I know that NATP supports us as both licensed and unlicensed practitioners. I feel confident that NATP will provide resources to guide members to passing any kind of licensing test that may become required in the future.

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

    A. I have been married since January 2006.

    I work as a professional singer all year round.  I work at the casinos in Atlantic City, as well as at private events such as corporate parties and weddings.  I love what I do and it keeps me pretty busy!

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

    A. I am excited to grow professionally as my family grows. I would like to see my business reach 500 clients. I already provide a small amount of payroll and bookkeeping services to my clients.  I would like to expand that.

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

    A. There is nothing more important to me than family and friends. I feel a lot of pride in my career as a tax professional as well as a singer, but love is what makes life rich.

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

    A. Early in my career as a tax professional, I was attending an IRS forum in Atlantic City.  I was also performing in one of the casinos that week. When one of the exhibitors in the hall overheard that I was a singer, he insisted that I sing for him.  He represented a tax organization. I bargained with him and said I would sing in the middle of the exhibitor hall if he gave me one year's membership free.  He agreed, and I sang.  The room went silent and heads turned. I got a free membership. It was definitely memorable!

    You can contact Jaime at jaimee@jmtaxes.com.

    harrypicouAugust 2007 Member of the Month – Harry J. Picou, III, EA

    Harry Picou knows the power of strong relationships – both professional and personal.  Harry dedicates his time to serving on the NATP Louisiana Chapter, where he has taken on various leadership roles, including giving a series of seminars to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. He is also a professional mentor to his daughter and plans to expand his teaching to others that are new to the tax profession. Congratulations, Harry, on being chosen as NATP's Member of the Month for August!

    Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

    A. I prepared taxes part-time from 1971 to1988.  Since 1988 I've been preparing full-time.

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

    A. HJ Picou III Tax Service, 218 Enterprise Dr.; Houma, LA. 70360
    I am sole owner and I employ two full-time and three part-time workers during the season.

    Q. Type and number of returns filed.

    A. We complete an average of 1,350 to 1,400 returns each year; personal 1040's total 1300 to 1350, and business returns about 50.

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

    A. While building my business I worked in banking and finance as well as residential and commercial construction.

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

    A. One of my earliest friends in the tax preparation business was Nick Ciacio, owner of the local H&R Block franchises. He helped me as I was building my business. My mentoring at present is for my daughter, Tanya, who has worked with me full time for four years and is working on getting her EA designation.

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

    A. Our office offers general ledger bookkeeping, payroll and auditing services not only for our tax customers, but retail as well.

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

    A. I joined NATP after taking several CPE courses a few years ago. I was already a member of NSTP and I was looking for a strong local chapter which NATP had. As a result, I have been fortunate to assist the local chapter as a board member and as an officer for the past seven years. The members in Louisiana and throughout the U.S. keep me as members. The National staff is the best.

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

    A. I have attended three national conventions, many update seminars, and have organized, chaired, and instructed state seminars. We have also given six Katrina seminars after the storm in the New Orleans area.

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

    A. The education offered to professionals here is simply the best there is. The research department continues to give us scenarios each week so that we can be up to date in our practice. Paul and his staff, along with Mr. Larry Gray and others, continue to lobby congress for us and they are doing a great job.

    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 the tax code evolves into what may be again 2000 law, many have come into the profession the last few years and have no idea what the structure was in 2000. Keeping up to date with Congress and their whims is a challenge today. Your lead and hard work in this area is phenomenal and can make a difference in whether or not some are able to stay in the profession.

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

    A. I am happily married to my wife Pam. We will celebrate our 39th anniversary this December 21. We met in the seventh grade; fell apart for four years, then re-met as seniors in high school. It was love at first sight again. Our joy in life was increased by the birth of our only child, a daughter, Tanya, twenty-eight years ago, who works with us in the tax business. Family and friends are our priorities in life. We work hard for four months partly so that we can visit family, friends and entertain them in the off season. Each week we cook (bar-b-q, boiled seafood, hot wings, etc.) and invite families over to fellowship and up-build those we can.

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

    A. 2008 will be our twentieth year in business and we are planning to really highlight our staff in advertising. Personally, I plan to do more teaching in the future to assist young ones to see that this profession is viable and can be a good one. Many of our peers are getting older and we need new young ones to come in and learn about our tax code and assist us in enforcing the code by completing correct and proper returns. We will also schedule free business start-up seminars for this fall.

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

    A. My relationship with God and family govern my life. Each day I thank both of them for being here in my life because they both give me a great deal of happiness and pleasure.

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

    A. There are many memorable experiences as a tax professional but the Katrina seminars I was involved in had to be the defining moment. No one could have possibly predicted what happened on that hot August day when Katrina, and then a month later, Rita, came to town. We personally were only affected in a minor way, but many of our friends, customers, and family were devastated. I had never evacuated for a storm before Katrina, having grown up and experienced many storms in the past such as Betsy and Andrew, but I did evacuate for Katrina. Seeing the faces of all those affected by the storm as we went through the presentation so they could see what benefits Congress had given them was a pure joy and sadness at the same time. The stories of survival and tragedy were unbelievable and we cried along with each and every one of them.

    You can contact Harry by e-mail at Hojo1950@hotmail.com.

    KayFredricks02July 2007 Member of the Month – Kay Fredricks

    Kay Fredricks was drawn to NATP because of the education she received. Now, Kay is the one educating her local tax community through her leadership roles in the NATP Arizona Chapter. Kay also contributes to her community in a number of ways, and still manages to find time to serve up a few games of tennis during the week.  Congratulations, Kay, on being chosen as NATP's July Member of the Month!

    Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

    A. Thirty-four

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

    A. I have a home-based business called Frank's Accounting Service in Tucson. Seven years ago we built a new home and designed an office for me near the front of the house. It's been wonderful.

    Q. Type and number of returns filed.

    A. I prepare about 275 returns annually; 95% are individual returns. I also prepare a few S-Corps, HOAs, and trusts.

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

    A. I was as stay-at-home mom; I started preparing returns when my youngest was two years old.

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

    A. My mentors were those who trusted me my first few years – my Dad and my husband, who were both accountants with "extra" tax clients, and a neighborhood friend who had just purchased a tax business and used me as a ghost writer back in the days before computers. I don't mentor any tax professionals but have tried to educate my clients so they know what I need from them and why.

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

    A. All of my tax-related activities are with NATP.

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

    A. I attended NATP educational seminars and learned so much that I joined in 1985. The education and the support I've had from the local chapter and national have kept me as a member year after year.

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

    A. After many years of attending seminars hosted by the Arizona chapter, I decided to become more actively involved and try to give to others some of what I found quite helpful in my business.  I have served on the Board of Directors for Arizona since 2001, as Vice President for four years, and currently as Treasurer. Also, during that time I have been Membership Chairman and a member of the Education Committee.  I have attended four National Conferences and will be in Las Vegas in July!

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

    A. I feel NATP is a proven organization of benefit to anyone who prepares income taxes whether they are CPAs, EAs, or individual preparers. The education and information is there for our use. Besides the excellent educational speakers, the TAXPRO Monthly and TAXPRO Journal offer timely and informative advice.  I look forward to reading each issue when it arrives in the mail. The TAXPRO Weekly e-mail is also very worthwhile with its up-to-the-minute updates; the "You Make the Call" questions and answers are very interesting. 

    On a local level, I feel I have gained much from my peers who participate in our activities. Being a "one-person" business leaves a need for interaction regarding professional issues and problem solving. My local chapter provides that and more.

    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 facing me personally, since I'm "unlicensed" will be the procedures to be legislated soon that I can continue offering my clients excellent service.  I have appreciated being kept informed by NATP regarding what our legislators in Washington are contemplating and for National's support of those of us who stay updated in the current law changes and are ethical in our dealings with clients and various taxing agencies. I feel confident that NATP will provide the necessary education we need to confidently test out of this "unenrolled, unlicensed" status.

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

    A. I have been married to Frank for 46 years. We met in high school and will celebrate our 50th class reunion this fall in Sioux City, Iowa.  We have lived in Tucson, Arizona for the past 38 years. We have three children and five grandchildren. My philosophy through the years has been to limit my activities to a few at a time so that I could actually give concentrated efforts to them. So, through the years these have been my activities: business manager and board member of our church pre-school, den mother, Boy Scout pack treasurer, Girl Scout cookie mom, member of the YMCA board, treasurer of our community swimming pool (22 years), board member (10 years) and then Chairman of the Arizona Committee of USS (United States Swimming), and delegate to SAAA (Southern Arizona Aquatic Association). Presently, besides my involvement with the Arizona Chapter, I am on my high school reunion committee and am captain (20+ years) of a women's tennis team which participates in a city-wide league every fall.  I play tennis about three times a week between tax seasons!

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

    A. I hope to stay healthy and continue providing my clients the best tax service available.  I plan to continue to be part of the NATP Arizona Chapter helping to provide quality education topics and networking opportunities among my peers in order that we all continue to better service our clients

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

    A. The most important things to me are family and friends, in that order. This includes my clients since I consider them and treat them as friends. I do not advertise – all my clients are referrals, so they already feel they know me when they first call!

    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 "defining moment" as a tax preparer was progressive. When I finally realized that I did not always have to have the answer to every question on the tip of my tongue, but could say "I will look that up and get back to you," I became much better and more relaxed – both as an interviewer and a tax preparer.  My clients are very appreciative that I have the resources to answer their questions – and there are always plenty of them!

    You can contact Kay by e-mail at kay-tax@cox.net.

    wendyloomisJune 2007 Member of the Month – Wendy Loomis, EA, ATA

    When Wendy Loomis was starting her career in the tax business, she sought an organization to give her support.  She found it with NATP. Not only did Wendy find the assistance she needed, she also formed friendships that have lasted through many of life's challenges – both professional and personal. Now, Wendy supports others through her leadership roles in her local NATP Chapter, of which she is one of the original founders. She also dedicates her time to the Advisory Council for the New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance and her local Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations, Wendy, on being chosen as NATP's Member of the Month!

    Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

    A. I've been doing this for 23 years now.  Three years part-time and 20 years as the full-time owner of my own tax business.

    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 Loomis Tax Service, LLC, and I'm located in Binghamton, New York. That's upstate New York on the Pennsylvania border. I employ one full-time practitioner/associate, one part-time CPA, and a part-time office assistant during tax season.

    Q. Type and number of returns filed.

    A. The office averages 1,000 returns a year. Seventy-five percent of those are individual returns, with the majority being "long form" filers.  Lots of Schedule C's, E's, D's, etc.  We do some small corporations and partnerships and some trusts and estates. We also offer small business support services such as start-up's, payrolls, and sales taxes.

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

    A. Before doing taxes I spent five years as assistant to the Bursar at a private college and then eight years as Director of Accounting for this area's American Red Cross. Seems like I was destined to always play the numbers game but I have to tell you, math was always my very worst subject in school. Thank goodness for calculators and computers.

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

    A. Way back in the olden days when I started out I don't think there were such things as mentors. There weren't a lot of women out in the working world and definitely not many who owned a business.  I pretty much flew by the seat of my pants. Consequently, I'm always happy to help out other folks any way I can- more so as an advisor, when asked, rather than a mentor.

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

    A. I have one other significant tax-related activity.  About 11 years ago I received an invitation to serve on the Advisory Council for our New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance. I have had the privilege to serve continuously through four different Commissioners.  The Advisory Council is made up of CFO's of businesses, banks, and accounting firms that do business with New York State. We do things like propose and draft regulations, recommend legislative initiatives (everything is legislated in New York State) and analyze tax law. This appointment has been one of my most personally rewarding experiences.

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

    A. I latched on to NATP 20 years ago. I was looking for some kind of professional support and I think I saw an ad in Accounting Today magazine.  The membership fee was reasonable and a conference in San Francisco was in the works.  I had always wanted to go to San Francisco. It was there that I met up with folks like Coz Borzumate, Jane Darling, and Leslie Anne King.  The old-timers at NATP will recognize those names. They were plotting to form the first state chapter of NATP and I joined their group. NATP fit my niche back then and still does today.  

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

    A. I have never joined any group just to join. I initially got active with NATP in the formation of the New York Chapter and am still a Chapter member today.  I have been President several times, am one of our original seminar instructors, chaired the Education Committee a couple of times, and have administered our Chapter's central office since its inception.

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

    A. I recommend NATP for its professional support, educational opportunities, research department, and other member benefits. You've got it all rolled into one tidy package.  As to which benefit I find most beneficial…probably the support. Where else could I call to blow off steam and somebody actually listens and responds?

    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 challenges facing tax practitioners today are all the same challenges faced by any other profession or person.  The challenges are global now, and economically and politically driven: downsizing, outsourcing, aging infrastructure, etc.  I am sometimes overwhelmed by the simple fact that we are surviving in a world seemingly out of control. What an amazing beast the human is!

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

    A. About my background: I have a small family. My parents died many years ago and my husband, John, died April 13, 2000.  Catch that date. I have to tell you that my NATP friends really came through for me when that happened.  They came from all over to help and good old Sally Fahey actually ran my office for me for several days. I have three children: two girls and a boy. Five grandchildren: three boys and two girls.  They are all beautiful and smart, of course.  I've been a member of Rotary for 18 years, but my biggest community involvement has been with our Chamber of Commerce, which I joined almost 20 years ago. I chaired the Small Business Council for three years, the Legislative Committee for a couple of years, and served on the Board of Directors for six years (two of those years on the Executive Committee). I currently serve on the Government Affairs Committee, the Political Action Committee, and Chair the Recognition and Awards Committee.  I don't have much time for anything else but I guess my hobby would be exotic birds.  I have a pair of Citron Cockatoos, a double yellow Amazon parrot, and a little cockatiel.  It's like having a bunch of two-year-olds in the house all the time.

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

    A. As for my future goals and career – Gads! Are you kidding?! I've already passed normal retirement age but I can't retire because I don't play golf.

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

    A. The kinds of things that are important to me are the same things that are important to everyone: family, friends, and good health.  But in addition to those, I need to add that feeling really good about myself is very important. I need to be Number One to myself and then ultimately everything else falls into place as it should.

    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 had several "defining moments" as a tax practitioner and as a business person.  Here's a few:

    • When I passed the EA exam the first time through.
    • When I was selected by NATP to receive the first Chapter Person of the Year Award.
    • When I was selected by my Chamber of Commerce as The Business Advocate of the Year and received Congressional Citations and Senatorial Proclamations for that effort.
    • When I was selected by my Chamber of Commerce as The Distinguished Chamber Volunteer of the Year.
    • And, when my office was destroyed by a tornado in June 2005 and the entire community came together (as did my NATP friends) to see to it I rebuilt and stayed in business, I knew I was doing okay and should keep right on going.

    You can contact Wendy at loomisea@att.net.

    JeanMillerchipMay 2007 Member of the Month – Jean Millerchip, EA, CFP

    Jean Millerchip is a shining example of someone who manages to balance a successful career with a full and rewarding personal life. Along with serving on the New Jersey Chapter Board of Directors, attending educational events, and contributing to other associations and committees, Jean also dedicates her time to charitable organizations, her church, and her grandchildren. Plus, she never misses a Yankee game! Congratulations Jean, on being chosen as NATP's Member of the Month for May.

    Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

    A. I started 30 years ago at H&R Block, and stayed with them for 10 years. In 1986, I opened my own business.

    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 a sole proprietor, so my business is in my name. My office is located in Nutley, NJ, which is in the northeastern corner of NJ, about 10 miles west of New York City.  I own my business and have no other employees, so I have found that pre-scheduling many of my client appointments is a major time saver.  It really cuts down on phone interruptions during tax season.

    Q. Type and number of returns filed.

    A. I prepare approximately 450 returns. Most are individual, but I also prepare a considerable number of trust, inheritance, and estate returns. New Jersey has some unique rules regarding estate and inheritance returns!  All eligible returns are filed electronically.

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

    A. I graduated college with a Bachelor's degree in education, and taught elementary school for a few years.  During that time, I went on for my Master's degree in personnel and guidance.  However, I never worked in that field, as I received my degree six weeks before my first daughter was born. Two more children followed within a few years, so that marked the end of my teaching career at that point. When my children were older, I again went back to college for my accounting degree, during which time I worked as an adjunct instructor at the same college – teaching taxes, of course!

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

    A. When I first opened my own business, I had joined NSTP, and while at a seminar, I met a local accountant (also an ex- H&R Block employee) who told me how much better NATP was in many ways, especially in the quality of the education.  I don't recall ever having a mentor, but I do remember a year or so after joining NATP, the first President of the New Jersey Chapter persuaded me to run for the Board of Directors, and get more involved in the organization. Over the years, I have made it a point to help out new Board members, as well as members of the Chapter.  A few years ago, I did volunteer as an NATP mentor.

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

    A. In 1993, I completed the studies and exams from the College for Financial Planners and became a CFP. My office offers tax planning and retirement planning for all clients. I earned my securities license many years ago, but as time went on, I found that the amount of paperwork required was rapidly growing, and I really did not enjoy selling the products. I began to see that I couldn't do a truly competent job with both investment clients and tax clients, so I no longer maintain the securities licenses.  Most of the planning work that I do for my clients is scheduled for after April 15.  I have been an EA since 1985, and am also a member of NAEA and NSA.  For the past seven years, I have been a committee member for the planning of the "Working Together Symposiums" put on by IRS and the various tax organizations in the state of NJ. I have also been an instructor at these seminars. 

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

    A. I learned about NATP while attending an NSTP seminar 20 years ago. An associate told me how much better NATP was in many ways, so in 1988 I became a member. So many things keep me as a member: the quality education really prepares us for tax season; the research department is a lifesaver; the accessibility of the NATP staff when you call with a question or a problem, and of course, the National Conferences are the best!               

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

    A. I have been on the NJ Board of Directors for 15 years. I have served as Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice-President several times, as well as President for four years. Through the years, I have served on each Chapter committee, and for the past two years I have been the editor of our Chapter newsletter, a job which I thoroughly enjoy! My committee puts together the Chapter of the Year book each year. I am one of the original NATP Achievers and have been a state assistance volunteer for many years. At the National Conference in Minneapolis, I was honored to be selected as Chapter Person of the Year in Leadership. I have attended 10 National Conferences and have participated in Chapter Showcase at each Conference.  In 2006, I was asked to be a member of the National Nominating Committee, which is a very hard-working committee; it was a most rewarding experience.

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

    A. Because the tax profession dictates continuous education, I highly recommend NATP for the quality education that it provides.  NATP is truly a well-rounded professional organization that gives so much to its members.  I find the research department to be an excellent benefit, especially during tax season, as well as the state assistance volunteers. Any one that I have ever contacted has been most helpful and willing to give of their time, even when extremely busy. Also, the networking benefits of NATP are very valuable.

    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. Some of our biggest challenges include the unlicensed preparers who don't believe they need continuing education, unethical preparers who don't believe in following the laws, and individuals who prepare their own returns incorrectly and then come to us to straighten out their messes. Of course, keeping up with the constantly changing tax laws is always a challenge, but NATP's excellent educational offerings solve the problem.

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

    A. On April 28, 2007, Tom and I will be married for 40 years!  We met at the Jersey Shore – couldn't have picked a better place! We have three children- Kerry, Tom, and Heather. Kerry is married, lives in Piscataway, and is the mother of Nicholas and Matthew. She has been an at-home mom since the boys were born, but has now become a substitute teacher and loves it! Tom has recently moved to Seattle, WA, where his girlfriend lives, and is working as a real estate appraiser. He flew out to Seattle in June, accompanied by his 15-year-old cat, and is now getting adjusted to five other cats and a dog! Our youngest, Heather, a registered dietitian, is married and living in Chester, VA with her husband and nine-month-old son Rylan Timothy.  Just imagine how often I make that drive to Virginia! We have always been a family with cats; right now we have five (all are strays): Pepper, Ginger, Licorice, Button, and Scarlett.  Yes, both Pepper and Licorice are black cats!

    I am a very active member of my parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Nutley: a lector at Sunday Mass, Secretary of the Parish Council, Chairperson of Finance and Budget, and my favorite – a church decorator for Autumn, Christmas and Easter!  I am a member of Project Linus, a charitable organization made up of women who knit and crochet blankets for children who are undergoing chemotherapy or have gone through a traumatic event in their lives. I also participate each Christmas in the "Letters to Santa" program through the post office- it involves shopping for underprivileged children.  Next on my list is joining and becoming active in the Irish-American Association in Nutley.

    Some of my favorite activities include knitting, crocheting, reading, gardening, and of course, visiting and playing with our grandchildren. I never miss a New York Yankee game on TV- even during tax season. On Opening Day (usually early April), I make sure I have no appointments!

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

    A. I have no plans of retiring, as I still love the challenge of taxes and helping my clients as best I can.  Personally, I hope to spend as much time as possible enjoying our grandchildren as they grow.

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

    A. The most important things to me are my family, my church, my friends, my work, and of course, my cats! When I can find some free time, I hope to volunteer at a local animal shelter.

    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 would call it a memorable experience. This past year, I was asked to represent NATP for four days in May, in Baltimore, MD on an assignment, with about 18 EAs, to work with Thomson Prometric in the writing of the questions for the upcoming SEE Exam.  Our assignment was 1,200 questions in that time period on a wide variety of topics.  I found it an honor to be chosen for this very rewarding experience.  

    You can contact Jean at: jean.millerchip@verizon.net

    norma02April 2007 Member of the Month – Norma Gasparovic

    Norma Gasparovic knows the value of networking.  It was through networking at an NATP conference that she was able to meet and form relationships with other professionals in her home state and become one of the founders of the Indiana NATP Chapter. Norma continues to dedicate her time to the Indiana Chapter along with numerous other tax boards and committees.  This commitment to building strong relationships within the tax community is just one reason Norma has been selected as NATP Member of the Month for April. Congratulations, Norma!

    Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

    A. The 2006 tax year is my 20th year.

    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 Gasparovic Tax Service located in Pendleton, IN, a small community northeast of Indianapolis.

    Q. Type and number of returns filed.

    A. 700+ Form 1040s and 40 business returns.

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

    A. I owned a cleaning service business prior to going back to college to prepare to do taxes.  I did the payroll for that business and knew I was hooked on the financial end of the business. 

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

    A. The first year Elizabeth Bauer, an accountant in a nearby community, was my mentor.  She encouraged me to join NATP in 1988.  At my second conference in Washington DC, I was encouraged to start a chapter in Indiana.  In one of our pre-chapter meetings with interested members, I met a great bunch of colleagues. To this day, I depend upon them greatly for their experience and help. I guess I always need mentoring! I try to apply those principles to others and encourage and help as I have been helped.

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

    A. I have been involved in my Indiana NATP Chapter as a Board Member since its inception.  I belong to ISEA and have been recently involved in the the Tax Practitioners Liaison Board and have participated as a panel member for electronic filing in the Indianapolis area. I served on a volunteer basis for QFIT in Indianapolis with other state and professional organizations for the tax fairs conducted each year.

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

    A. My early mentor brought me to NATP.  The education and friendships keeps me as a member.  The networking is invaluable and I have never missed a national conference since I joined.               

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

    A. I served on National Committees, was President of my chapter for 4 years and have been a Board member since 1989. I also served as Education Chair for my chapter for three years and have been involved in various other committees.

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

    A. NATP has great resources and a network of professionals that are willing to share their ideas and assist in research. The education classes have been the foundation of my continuing professional development.  The National Conference offers something for every stage of the profession.

    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. Personally, I have not experienced a shrinking practice since the advent of free filing on the Internet so that has not been a concern for me.  As my practice has grown over the years, maintaining integrity and competent help is always a challenge.  Finding help that can give quality service would be a great benefit and helping to educate owners in that area would be beneficial. 

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

    A. I have been married for 40 years to George Gasparovic, a retired engineer turned Judge in our small town. We have two daughters and two grandchildren. Our daughters, Christy and Jill, have been important players in the business for several years.   I retired last year from the Park Board after 15 years of service, have been the church treasurer for the past 10 years, and served 5 years on the Pendleton Planning Commission. I currently serve on Hope's Anchor Board and on committees for our South Madison Community Foundation after having served two terms as a Board member, as well as on various other community boards and committees.  My husband and I enjoy traveling and look forward to more of that in the near future. 

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

    A. I am trying to downsize this year somewhat. I think I will be in the tax business for several years, but I don't want the long hours if I can manage that.  Personally, I hope to find time to travel more and enjoy my family.

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

    A. My faith, my family, my friends, my community.

    Norma can be contacted at n.gasparovic@insightbb.com.

    March 2007 Member of the Month – Terri L. Ryman, EA, MBA, CTP, ATA, ATP

    To say Terri Ryman is busy is an understatement.  In addition to taking at least 100 hours of continuing education every year, Terri also contributes her time and talents to her local NATP Chapter and many other professional organizations.  Terri's dedication to professional excellence is just one of the many reasons she has been chosen as NATP's March Member of the Month.  Congratulations, Terri!

     

    Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

    A. I opened Southwest Tax & Accounting in November 1988.  So with the 2006 filing season, I've been preparing income tax returns for 18 years.

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

    A. Southwest Tax & Accounting (Sole Proprietor), 503 Morton, Box 1367, Elkhart, KS  67950-1367.  It's my own business that I formed when my husband and I moved to Elkhart in 1988.  My husband, Jerry, took the H & R Block Income Tax Course in 1999 and has worked with me every tax season since (he is a contractor during the rest of the year). We employ three staff members.  Liz Lewis is my part-time accountant, working 1-2 days per week since 2003.  Bobbi Livingston has been my secretary/receptionist/accountant since 2005; she runs the office and keeps me straight. Rhonda Coen is my full-time accountant.

    Q. Type and number of returns filed.

    A. The majority of my returns are 1040s – approximately 536 for tax year 2005.  I also do a handful of 1120s, 1041s, 1120Ss, 1065s and 990s.

    I completed a total of 563 returns for tax year 2005.  (My first year, 1988, I prepared 105 returns.)

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

    A. Immediately before moving to Elkhart, I was the Assistant Controller at National Carriers Inc. in Liberal, KS (a trucking corporation).  I was responsible for the annual budget, payroll, and the supervision of 25 accounting employees, along with the switchboard.  Before moving to Liberal (in 1987) I was the Controller at Butler Manufacturing's Garden City, KS Plant (Oswalt Division).  I supervised all accounting functions along with responsibility for the computer system.  Previous to the Oswalt job, Jerry and I were in Kansas City, MO.  I worked for Butler Manufacturing there, in the Buildings Division.  I started as their Budget Analyst, and subsequently was promoted to Division Accounting Supervisor.  I have also been a Clerk II and Accounting Supervisor for Enron (when they were Northern Natural Gas) at their Holcomb, KS Plant, and the Assistant Director for the Southeast Area Agency on Aging in Ark City, KS (my first job after graduating from Southwestern College in 1976).

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

    A. My mentor was Mike Phelps, my immediate supervisor at my first big corporate job in Kansas City at the Buildings Division of Butler Manufacturing.  He was very supportive and the key to my promotions during that time. Often, when I was stumped on a problem, I would go into his office, lay out the entire problem for him, then midstream get a brainstorm…explain the solution I had just come up with, then leave. He really got a kick out of this process (I did it numerous times during my tenure there) because he never had to say a word, start to finish!  Just goes to prove that logically going through the analytical steps usually provides a solution.  He encouraged me in my career – hiring me, then promoting me twice in an 18-month period. He was instrumental in my taking the Controller position at the Oswalt Division.  I was the second female controller that Butler had had at that time.  The first female controller had also been mentored by Mike! 

    Currently, I am nurturing along a brand-new tax professional.  She worked for me last year, and has since moved to another small town.  She took the H & R Block tax course while she worked for me (scoring 99% and 97% in the advanced and basic portions of the course). She is putting out her shingle for the next tax filing season.  We've applied for electronic filing status, and EIN, and signed up for numerous IRS e-mail publications (Digital Dispatch, e-News, etc.)  I also persuaded her to join NATP, since she will need the networking opportunities as a new preparer.  She also attended the Famous 1040 and 1040X seminars, along with the Kansas Chapter-NATP Fall Seminar, and also went to the Drake Software Seminar with me.  I enjoy teaching folks, and want to make her practice a huge success!

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

    A. I was the Western Kansas representative on the Board of Directors for the Public Accountant's Association of Kansas, Inc. for two years.  I've belonged to NATP since 1988. I'm also a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (1992), the National Society of Accountants (1988), the National Society of Tax Professionals (1988), the Oklahoma Chapter of the NAEA (1992), the Western Chapter of the Public Accountants Association of Kansas (PAAK) (1990), the Kansas Chapter of NATP (1994), and the Oklahoma Society of Public Accountants (1990).  I was the Newsletter Editor of the KS Chapter-NATP newsletter, The Informer, for 8 years.  I was also the Vice President for the Chapter for one year and Treasurer for two years.  I have been the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer for the Western Chapter of PAAK over the years.  I am currently serving as President for the Chapter. 

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

    A. I was a novice when I first moved to Elkhart and started my own practice.  I felt the need to join accounting organizations in order to be kept abreast of the ever-changing tax law field.   I spoke to numerous accounting professionals and discovered NATP.  The continuing education and publications are top-notch, and networking with other members is invaluable.  Being involved at the Chapter level for 11 years has definitely enhanced my practice, and given me many good resources to turn to in times of need.                         

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

    A. I have attended three National Conferences (New Orleans, Orlando, and Minneapolis).  All three were wonderful experiences and I would recommend to all members to attend any that they can get to!  I have been on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Chapter of NATP for 11 years (this is my final year…they're booting me off!).  I was the Vice President of the Chapter for one year, and Treasurer for the last two years.  I was the Newsletter Editor for eight years, and still serve on the Newsletter Committee.  I was also on the Nominating Committee for five years. 

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

    A. I recommend NATP for many reasons.  I network quite a lot since I belong to so many accounting organizations, so I see a lot of people each year.  I also attend over 100 hours continuing education each year, many of which are NATP seminars.  The continuing education opportunities are numerous and excellent!  I always attend the Chapter seminars, and go to the Famous 1040 and 1040X seminars given by National each year.  I highly recommend these to all members.  The networking is also very helpful.  Getting involved at the Chapter level was the best thing I ever did for my practice and for me personally.  You just can't imagine how wonderful it is to have knowledgeable folks available to discuss tax problems, and client situations, with.  If you only do one thing this year…contact your local chapter and volunteer for a committee, a director position, or SOMETHING!!! Get involved and you'll reap more benefits than you know!  You can be as involved as you want to be.  I also recommend that accountants join NATP because the newsletters are great. Often, NATP is the first newsletter I get with breaking IRS changes.  In fact, I recruited a member two years ago because NATP was the first one out with some information that no one at the e-File seminar had heard about. So it pays to be a member and being able to stay on top of changes as they come down the pike.  Continuing education opportunities, networking, and newsletters are the main reasons I recommend NATP membership to other accountants.

    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 challenges are an eroding client base and just keeping up with the numerous tax law changes each year.  NATP addresses the changing landscape of tax preparation with their continuing education courses provided each year.  When I started my practice, I decided then that I needed to be credentialed.  I ordered and completed NATP's enrolled agents training course, and I'm positive that was one of the reasons I passed the exam. I seriously believe that being credentialed is one way to let your clients know that you are knowledgeable and prepared in the ever-changing world of tax law.  After receiving my EA, I also studied and received the CTP (Certified Tax Preparer), the ATA (Accredited Tax Advisor), and the ATP (Accredited Tax Preparer).  NATP helps accountants be informed of changes through the newsletters, magazines, and e-mails.  Networking is also a valuable tool.  Your associates in the tax preparation field have a lot of experience.  Use it!

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

    A. Jerry and I have been married for 32 years.  We met at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS and got married three years later.  Jerry is a contractor, specializing in roofing, siding, windows, and fencing, although he will tackle about any job that comes up.  Just don't ask him to do plumbing!  We have three children:  Jeremy (20) a junior at Southwestern College-Winfield, KS, majoring in Computer Science and Graphic Design, Jenny (18) a freshman at Garden City Community College-Garden City, KS, taking Cosmetology this year, then changing to Accounting next year, and Josh (15) a sophomore at Elkhart High School. 

    Currently, I am on the Morton County MicroLoan Review Board (4th year), the President of the Western Chapter of PAAK (2nd year), Chairman of the Morton County Board of Appeals (3rd year), on the Board of Directors of the Morton County Public Library (4th year) and also Treasurer of that body, and am the Treasurer of the Elkhart United Methodist Church.  I have been a Certified Pro Advisor for QuickBooks since 1999, and I am currently taking the Certified Senior Advisor course.  My hobbies are walking and reading.  I also manage to go to Josh's football games.

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

    A. I am currently working on a course to get the Certified Senior Advisor credential.  I still plan to stay active in both NATP and PAAK.  And I'm sure that I will keep getting over 100 hours of continuing education each year because I am a believer in keeping up with changes in the accounting and tax fields.  I hope to keep increasing my client base each year, and remain active in my community and church.  I plan to keep my name in the news this year by publishing articles about tax changes in the local paper.  And volunteering in the community is a great way to get your name out there!  

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

    A. Raising responsible, productive, and caring children.  Currently, both Jenny and Josh have been or are members of Key Club, a community volunteer organization (it wasn't available when Jeremy went to school). It is teaching both children that you don't have to be paid for everything that you do…and that there are those worse off than you that need help. 

    Nurturing and continually exploring ways to keep my marriage strong with my amazing husband.  Jerry and I attended our second Marriage Encounter Weekend last year.  It is a wonderful way to help our communication skills, and caring more about each other than ourselves.  I also read incessantly, and I hope to continually learn and be entertained by my favorite hobby!  Finally, I want to deepen my relationship with God. 

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

    A. When I was awarded Exemplary ERO in 1999 it affirmed my opinion that a small company in a small town can make a difference and be rewarded for it!  I had been filing returns electronically since the program's inception, and I converted my entire client base to electronic filing in 1994 (I didn't give them a choice…and most were very pleased to be in on the "cutting edge" of new technology).  I wrote a letter describing what I thought to be 10 good reasons why electronic filing was the way to go.  All agreed but one client, and even he converted over two years later.  I don't charge separately for electronic filing (Drake does not charge me, so I don't charge clients), and promote it every chance I get.  It was wonderful to be recognized for doing something that I whole-heartedly believe in!

    Q. Anything else you'd like to add?

    A. I was very pleased to be awarded Chapter Person of the Year by the Kansas Chapter of NATP in 2004.  Although I don't regularly volunteer in order to be recognized…it is very nice to have folks appreciate the contributions that you make to their organization.  I fervently believe that getting involved in your profession, church, and community allows you to live a fuller life. I want to be a role model to my own kids, and I think that I have been.

    Terri can be contacted at tryman@elkhart.com.

    ebruary 2007 Member of the Month - Sam Grubbssamgrubbs1

    Sam Grubbs understands how important it is for tax preparers to stay current on tax issues.  And he should know, after attending the last four NATP national conferences along with numerous 1040 workshops.  Sam's commitment to continuing education is just one reason he was chosen as NATP's Member of the Month for February.  Congratulations, Sam!

     

    Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

    A. I have been preparing taxes and providing accounting services since 1991.

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

    A. My wife and I own our office in Columbus, GA. We have one additional employee that handles receptionist duties and payroll. My wife, Rita, does most of the monthly accounting work and I take care of the taxes, marketing, etc.

    Q. Type and number of returns filed.

    A. We prepare returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships and trusts. About 75% are individual returns.

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

    A. Prior to buying my first accounting business (I have purchased two), I was the CFO of a $200 million transportation and distribution company. From 1992 – 1999 I was also the CFO of a truck load carrier while maintaining the accounting and tax business on a part-time basis.

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

    A. My mentor was the CEO of the distribution company; he was, and still is, a mentor and friend. He is a very good business man and has been very successful operating several different businesses.

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

    A. I have been active on the IRS / Practitioner Liaison Committee in Atlanta for five years.

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

    A. I honestly can't remember why I joined. I was still with the distribution company and I remember the first meeting I attended. It was in Macon, GA and there were only about 30 members attending. The chapter needed a director from the southern region of the state and I nominated my tax manager because I did not want the job at that time. I believe we needed three directors from each region and we only had four members from the region attending. That was the first time I met Ann McNeer and we have been friends ever since.                          

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

    A. I have been in the Georgia Board for seven years and was president for four of them. I was elected to the Chapter Advisory Committee in San Francisco and was elected Chair in Boston last year. I have been to the last four National Conferences and a lot of Georgia State Conferences and piggyback sessions. I have also attended several 1040 workshops.

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

    A. Education, education, and more education. To me, NATP is the best source of tax education. With the constant changes to the tax code I do not understand how a preparer can give their clients good service without refresher courses every year.

    The other major benefit is the networking with preparers from around the country. Help is only a phone call or e-mail away when you have a problem in a state you are not familiar with.

    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. For Circular 230 practitioners the biggest challenge is protecting our reputation from the onslaught of negative press from the media and from Congress. For other preparers the biggest challenge is the pending requirement to be licensed in some way and protecting their right to practice.

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

    A. I have been married to Rita for 37 years and we have one son who is a professor at the University of Georgia. My activities include playing with computers, watching sports, and photography. I have just completed recording my record collection on CDs. I had about 350 albums. Now I need to start on my cassettes. I also am scanning my slides and photos to CDs.

    I am a member of the SERTOMA Club of Columbus which is a service club that raises funds to help the hearing impaired children in the local school system, and I am a member of the Institute of Management Accountants. I have been president of both organization several times

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

    A. I am trying to grow my practice beyond what the three of us can handle. I will eventually bring in someone to buy the business over time so that Rita and I can take more time off.  I plan to continue doing taxes as long as my health and mind will allow.

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

    A. My family and my health. After that, nothing matters. I am diabetic and have to be careful, but it can be managed with proper diet and a little exercise.

    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 when I decided to leave the corporate world and be my own boss. I would only have to answer to me, or so I thought. When you have 60 accounting clients and over 400 tax clients, you have a lot of bosses. I have had too many embarrassing moments to recall but the one that comes to mind is when I realized I e-filed the wrong return for a client.

    Sam can be contacted at sbas@bellsouth.net.

    January 2007 Member of the Month – Willie Lau

    Willie Lau is one busy man. Besides running his own business, he is very involved in the local tax community through his dedication to the New Jersey Chapter of NATP, the New Jersey Working Together Tax Symposium Committee, and not-for-profit activities. Congratulations Willie, on being chosen as NATP's January 2007 Member of the Month!

     

     

    Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes?

    A. For 37 years, since 1969

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

    A. I'm a sole practitioner located at 66 Old Bridge Dr., Howell, NJ 07731-2331. I do not have any employees. 

    Q. Please indicate the type and number of returns filed.

    A. I prepare approximately 120 Individual, 25 Business, and 15 Payroll.

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

    A. I was a Senior Consolidations Accountant for a Fortune 500 company.

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

    A. I have chaired the New Jersey NATP Government Relations Committee for over 10 years.  I am still on the same committee after completing 16 years of service on the New Jersey NATP Board of Directors on December 31, 2005. The principal duties and responsibilities are acting as a liaison for the New Jersey NATP membership and as a member of the New Jersey Working Together Tax Symposium Committee.  I also provide pro bono services for several not-for-profit organizations.

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

    A. I joined NATP for its continuing professional education, its member services, to network with fellow practitioners, and to be affiliated with a reputable national organization in the field of taxes. I have maintained my membership because it is a leader in its field, its professionalism, its responsiveness to its members and for the personal relationships in a family-type of environment.

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

    A. Chapter Leadership Workshops, NATP Education Workgroup, Chapter Presidents Advisory Group, Chapters on Parade, and I am also an NATP volunteer.

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

    A. I recommend NATP to others because of the nature of the organization and how it contributes to one's professional growth by maintaining one's knowledge, and the opportunities it can provide.  Most beneficial are the continuing professional education credits, the tax research, and the networking with fellow practitioners.

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

    A. The biggest challenges are the constant changes in the tax laws, the competition from other tax practitioners including the Internal Revenue Service and the individual states, and the changes in the tax preparation industry.  NATP needs to continue keeping abreast of the current changes and continue its vision to focus on the future changes as well.

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

    A. I am married with three children.  Denise and Corinne are married and Greg is still fishing.  We have a granddaughter, Alexis. Corinne is expecting a girl in April 2007.  Everyone has completed their college education.  I am on the Board of Trustees of the Organization of Chinese Americans, Inc.  Endowment Fund and am also the Treasurer.  I also volunteer for other not-for-profit organization activities.  Although I am no longer on the NATP New Jersey Chapter Board of Directors, after 16 years, I continue to represent the Chapter as its liaison for over 10 years and I have been an IRS New Jersey Working Together Tax Symposium Committee member since its inception in 2001.

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

    A. To continue to work as long as my health permits me to. 

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

    A. My family, my many friends, good health, happiness, and to continue my professional practice.

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

    A. Before becoming a full-time tax practitioner, I prepared the personal tax return of a U.S. billionaire, which was an enormous responsibility.  On the other hand, I was not the preparer of record because of the various layers of responsibility.  My position was Senior Tax Accountant in his solely owned corporation.

    For any questions or comments, you can contact Willie at wlau_ea@1stconnect.com


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