Member of the Month Archives
 June 2008 Member of the Month - Peggy A. Willits, EA
A devoted NATP member since 1989, Peggy currently serves as the NATP Indiana Chapter President and as Director of the Indiana Chapter Board. To top it off, this is her third term as President, plus she has served twice as Chapter Vice President and chaired workshops. Although Peggy is busy running her own business, Willits Tax Service in South Milford, she diligently continues to contribute her time and talent to NATP and her fellow members. Congratulations Peggy & thank you
for your dedication to NATP! Q. Please give a summary of your background in the tax industry – how you got started, if you were in another line of business before, etc. Include current tax-related activities and areas of specialization. If you have a tax business, please let us know where it is located/how many staff you employ/any other information you think is pertinent. A. I got started doing taxes in 1980 with H & R Block. I worked for them for five years and then gradually went on my own. I now have my own business, doing over 1,100 tax returns a year, plus some bookkeeping accounts and some payroll. I have two girls in my office at tax time, and one girl one day a week after that. I also drove school bus for about 10 years and really enjoyed it, but had to give it up as my business grew. Q. Please give a summary of how you found out about NATP and what benefits you find the most valuable – include any NATP activities you've participated in (Education, Mentoring, Instructing, etc.) A. When I quit working for H & R Block, my biggest problem was the interaction with other people was gone. I had no one to talk to when I had a problem. Then I got a brochure about NATP and decided to go to Indianapolis and see what it was all about. The Indiana Chapter was fairly new then and trying to interest new members; I was very impressed with the people involved. Q. What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing tax professionals today? What could NATP do to better prepare them for those challenges? A. I think the biggest challenge today is keeping up with the tax laws and the new technology that goes with it. NATP does an excellent job of keeping us informed and updated. Q. What are your future career goals? A. I am getting old enough that I am very happy where I am right now. The girl that is working for me will, I hope, be ready to take over where I leave off when I retire. Q. Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career in the tax industry? A. I think the most awesome thing I will always remember, is the first time I went to National Convention in Las Vegas. I had never been there before, and it was breathtaking. The most memorable part was that I stayed after convention to take an EA Course with Steve O'Rourke on the lower level of the MGM Grand, and the lights went out. There was a major problem, and we had no electric for 24 hours. The generators got the slots and the elevators going, but class was over. Q. Please share any information that you'd like about your family, hobbies, community involvement, etc. In other words, your life outside of the tax industry! A. I just lost my mother in December, but she has been and always will be my role model. She had her pilot's license and was an active pilot until she was 95. She died at 97. She also was a postal mail carrier for 20 years, played the organ at her church, and made enough quilts for her 5 children and 19 grandchildren. She finished the last quilt 1 month before she died. Q. Any other information/concerns/suggestions you'd like to share with fellow tax professionals? A. I would say that the best thing that ever happened to me involving the tax business was finding NATP. The resources and getting to know fellow tax professionals have been phenomenal. You can contact Peggy at pwillits@willitstaxservice.com.
 May 2008 Member of the Month - Karen L. Coombes, EA
She's enthusiastic, innovative, and an exemplary leader; Karen Coombes, NATP Texas Chapter President, is that and so much more! Over the past 10 years, Karen has generously contributed her time and talent to NATP and to her fellow members. She has held a multitude of leadership positions and served on numerous committees. In addition to volunteering on the Chapter Advisory Council, Karen has been working on partnering with the IRS and the (SBDC) Small Business Development Center to offer educational seminars for NATP members and all tax professionals in Texas. This would make it possible to do several seminars throughout the state each year instead of just one or two, plus at a lower cost. Congratulations Karen & thank you for your
dedication to NATP! Q. Please give a summary of your background in the tax industry – how you got started, if you were in another line of business before, etc. Include current tax-related activities and areas of specialization. If you have a tax business, please let us know where it is located/how many staff you employ/any other information you think is pertinent. A. My first career was in the medical field – bookkeeper, billing clerk, and neonatology practice office manager. Then 10 years in the restaurant industry – waitress, assistant manager, kitchen manager and eventually general manager. In 1988 I started with a Service Bureau doing computer input for CPA firms, where I developed an interest in tax preparation. I took all the H&R Block courses offered, as well as college courses in accounting and tax. In 1991 I started preparing returns for family and friends, then their families and friends, and co-workers and neighbors, and by 1998 I had enough clients to leave the Service Bureau. I developed a home-based practice serving about 175 clients and in 2004 sold the practice to the CPA firm I currently work for. I specialize in 1040 preparation – mostly small businesses (Sch C) and folks with rental and investment activities. The past two years I have been doing audit representation for an insurance company and am now focusing my business in that area. Now that tax season is over, I am leaving the CPA firm and will maintain a small home-based practice specializing in 1040 preparation and will continue with the audit work. Q. Please give a summary of how you found out about NATP and what benefits you find the most valuable – include any NATP activities you've participated in (Education, Mentoring, Instructing, etc.) A. I was looking for an EA Review Course in 1998 and found NATP then. I attribute my passing of the exam on my first try to that review course and have been a loyal NATP member ever since. The most valuable membership benefit to me is the education, and secondly the networking opportunities. - I have attended the NATP National Conference every year since 1999 except for one, and attend the 1040 Workshop annually, as well as almost all of the Texas NATP education events.
- I have been an instructor at the state level and have been a mentor through the National NATP mentor program.
- I have also served on the Nominations Committee for National and am currently serving my second term on the CAC.
- I have been active on the state level as newsletter editor from 2001 until 2005 and am, once again, for 2008, our newsletter editor.
- I was elected to the Board of Directors in 2002 and have served there since, as Vice-President in 2005 and as President 2006, 2007, and recently re-elected President for 2008.
Q. What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing tax professionals today? What could NATP do to better prepare them for those challenges? A. - The ever-changing tax laws and pressure from the IRS for us to "pre-audit" tax returns, as evidenced by the new Circular 230 regulations and penalties, plus the cost to stay abreast of these changes.
- Dealing with the IRS – a large agency wherein the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.
- The cost to keep up with technology.
- Competition from unscrupulous preparers.
- For preparers with larger practices, the expense of and difficulty finding qualified employees.
- For unenrolled preparers, the impending legislation on licensing regulations.
Q. What are your future career goals? A. I am actually at a point in my life where I am trying to wind down a little. I intend to keep a very small 1040 practice, along with the audit representation work, at a level I can manage as a home office, a one person operation. I will stay active in NATP. This is vital to me for the continuation of my business as a professional. Over the years, I have developed many close relationships with NATP members from around the country and from a social, as well as professional standpoint, those networking relationships are an important part of my continued success. Q. Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career in the tax industry? A. I guess I have erased the embarrassing moments from my memory as I can't think of any right now, but I know there have been some. As for defining moments, when I received the news that I had passed the EA exam, I not only felt major relief, but felt like a true professional. It was a tremendous boost to my confidence and self-esteem and confirmed my aspirations were on the right track. I love being a tax preparer; the relationships I have developed through NATP and other professional organizations and gatherings, as well as those with my clients, are priceless to me. It is also very interesting to learn so much about other people's lives and their jobs/businesses. Q. Please share any information that you'd like about your family, hobbies, community involvement, etc. In other words, your life outside of the tax industry! A. I live on a small 7½ acre ranch at the edge of the hill country in central Texas with my husband, who is retired, my aussie dog Bourney, and my two beautiful horses, Poco Time and Riese. My eldest daughter has a wonderful husband and has blessed me with two of my precious grandchildren – Emma, who just turned 6, and Patrick, Jr. who is 4½. They live just an hour away, which allows us to spend a lot of time together. My other daughter also lives nearby after years of being away at college completing her master's degree in kinesiology. I also have two stepsons nearby, both married to wonderful ladies. The eldest has an 18 month old daughter, baby Kate, and the younger has a 3 year old son, Carter, with a baby brother for him due May 4th. I enjoy spending time with family and friends and my hobby is arts and crafts, especially beadwork. My favorite place to be is out in the wilderness on the back of one of my horses. I love endurance and trail riding and will soon be accompanied by my granddaughter Emma, who has been riding 2 years and is becoming a very talented equestrian. Q. Any other information/concerns/suggestions you'd like to share with fellow tax professionals? A. - Be proud of yourself and take time daily to reflect on your accomplishments and strengths. Concentrate on the things you enjoy and are good at.
- Know what you know, and what you don't know. Don't let others pressure you into things you are not comfortable with. If you don't understand corporate taxes or payroll, etc., find someone to associate with to handle those things for your clients. Be honest with yourself about your shortcomings and address them.
- Take advantage of opportunities to learn and grow as a professional. The investment of your time and money will come back to you.
- Practice "kaizen" (continuous improvement) in both your personal and professional life. I try every day to do four things:
- Something for myself,
- Something for someone else,
- Something I want to do, and
- Something I don't want to do.
You can contact Karen at karen@cobaltemail.com
 April 2008 Member of the Month - Debra J. Destro, CPA, EA
Debra has been an NATP member for over 16 years and is described by her fellow members as "the backbone of our chapter." Along with managing her four businesses, she has contributed immensely to NATP and the Ohio Chapter by taking on the responsibilities of numerous leadership positions throughout the years. In addition, to acting as treasurer for two non-profit organizations, Debra serves on the Brunswick Income Tax Review Board, has been a frequent speaker for many organizations, and has taught income tax preparation. Congratulations Debra & thank you for your dedication to NATP! Q. Please give a summary of your background in the tax industry: A. I started by taking a H&R Block income tax course in 1983. I was a wife and full-time mother at the time. I worked the next five seasons as a tax preparer. In 1988, I rented a desk in the office of an Allstate Insurance Agent and opened my own business. I prepared 125 tax returns that season. At the end of 1989, I acquired my NASD Series 7 license and began offering financial services. I added accounting and payroll services in 1995. My husband joined the business in 1998. At that time, the business expanded to include insurance. In 2007, we purchased two H&R Block franchise locations. Today, my practice has grown to eight full-time employees and 29 seasonal employees. The three firms will prepare about 5,000 income tax returns. Q. Please give a summary of how you found out about NATP and what benefits you find the most valuable – include any NATP activities you have participated in (Education, Mentoring, Instructing, etc.) A. I found out about NATP at the Enrolled Agents Test Site in 1991. I joined the organization in 1992. I liked (and still do) the updates that NATP provides along with the networking at Annual Conferences. Over the years, I have served on many committees for the Ohio Chapter. I have chaired the NATP Ohio Annual Conference for the past seven years. I have also served as a Director, Vice President, and President of the NATP Ohio Chapter. I have presented on various topics at the Ohio Conferences, Ohio State Society of Enrolled Agent Seminars, and local organizations such as real estate agents, teacher associations, and high school government classes. I have also taught income tax courses at the local community college. Q. What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing tax professionals today? What could NATP do to better prepare them for those challenges? A. There are two challenges today. The first is finding qualified individuals to hire as tax preparers. The second is lack of time in the day to complete all the work that a tax and accounting firm has and manage the business. NATP could initiate some national advertising to help locate NATP members that are offering basic tax classes (for a fee). This would create awareness of NATP and the need for training to prepare income tax. Q. What are your future career goals? A. I hope to teach tax and accounting classes at the local university center that is being built in the area. With retirement age 10 to 12 years away, my goal is to continue to build a competent staff that can carry on the reputation my firm has built and continue providing the services we are known for. Q. Did you ever have a "defining moment", an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career in the tax industry? A. Everyday has such a moment. Moments such as: - Helping a client, who has dealt with the death of an adult child and does not know where to start with the financial affairs. Then the client can realize a sense of relief when I organize, explain and handle everything needed.
- Laughing with employees on April 14th because of the umpteenth phone call asking if their return is ready because "Don't we know tomorrow is the deadline?"
- Having the "annual" visit with the client who is now a grandmother and smiles in awe that I still remember her children's names and the dog!
- I can still remember the client I was with when the first bomb fell for Desert Storm.
Q. Please share any information that you would like about your family, hobbies, community involvement, etc. In other words, your life outside of the tax industry! A. I am happily married with four adult children. Jeff took a year off between his bachelor and master's degree to learn the business and tax preparation even though his degree is in music therapy. TG is married with two children that I enjoy every moment I can with. He left nine years of military service this year to manage the H&R Block franchises for us. Amanda, my step-daughter, is a graphic artist that works for a company that designs scrap booking kits. The youngest, my step-son Tony, moved back from sunny Florida in December to help with the new franchises. Yes, we have maneuvered all but one into the business! In my spare time, I am Treasurer for two non-profit organizations. The Brunswick Education Foundation and the Medina County Arts Council incorporate my passion for children, education, and the arts into my life. I am an active member of the local Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Medina County, and serve on the city income tax review board. My husband and I are also owners of Kids Town Child Development Center, a unique full day, curriculum based toddler and pre-school center that we designed and opened in 2004. Summer allows for the occasional camping trip and swimming. Q. Any other information/concerns/suggestions you would like to share with fellow tax professionals? A. Education is a life long commitment to keep updated to provide clients with the most tax savings the law allows. Our profession offers a way to help others better their lifestyle and be good citizens. Taxes are a burden, but everyone should pay their fair share and not a penny more. Those that try to avoid or cheat the system only hurt the honest taxpayers. The tax preparer profession has a huge responsibility in helping the taxpayer stay honest without being the IRS auditor. You can contact Debra at brunsts@aol.com
 March 2008 Member of the Month - Lance Wallach, CLU, CHFC, CIMC
Lance Wallach, Plainview NY, is a member of the AICPA faculty of teaching professionals and an AICPA course developer. He speaks at more than 70 national conventions a year on topics including retirement plans, financial and estate planning, reducing health insurance costs, and tax-oriented strategies. He writes for numerous publications, and has authored many books for the AICPA and Bisk. In addition, Lance has been named NSA "Speaker of the Year". Congratulations, Lance, on being chosen NATP's March Member of the Month! Q. How many years have you been in the industry? A. I have been writing and speaking about tax, insurance, financial planning and related matters for about 35 years. Because my associates are leading authorities in these fields, I have had great access to cutting edge information that others have wanted. My friends in the industry have also assisted in giving me useful information. Friends like Sid Kess, Esq., CPA, who has lectured to more than 715,000 practitioners on tax, and Ira Kaplan, Esq., CPA, have taught me how to present to audiences. Editors at the AICPA, Bisk, etc. have taught me what readers really want to know. I have just finished two books for Bisk, and two courses for the AICPA. By speaking at national conventions such as those of the American Association of Attorney Certified Public Accountants, the American Society of Pension Actuaries, the National Association of Tax Professionals, and the National Society of Accountants, I have had the opportunity to discuss important issues with IRS officials who were also speaking at these programs. Q. What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member? A. Many years ago the National Association of Tax Professionals asked me to speak at their national convention. I found out about how wonderful the organization was, and have been a member since. In fact, many of the conventions that I now speak at are a result of someone seeing me speak at the NATP and recommending me. I have also been privileged to write for the NATP publications. As a result, I have received hundreds of phone calls from members, some of whom have become my friends. I have also enjoyed mentoring members of the organization. Q. What are the biggest challenges facing tax professionals today? A. I think the biggest challenge facing tax professionals is the IRS trying to make them policemen. Most tax professionals do not realize that they can now be subject to large fines for nondisclosure of certain activities of their clients. I have authored a few books for the AICPA on these issues. In fact, allowing an item on a client's tax return that turns out to be a listed transaction can be disastrous. This can happen even if the item became listed after the fact, and even if the tax professional never knew that it was listed or abusive. I have spoken at hundreds of conventions about abusive products that clients are buying. Most professions think that these products are legitimate, or think that they are retirement plans, etc. Without further education, the Tax Pro can lose his or her career, not to mention being sued. Q. What are your goals for the future personally and for your career? A. Most of my extra time is now spent helping tax professionals get their clients out of abusive or just bad financial products. I think that will involve more of my future time. Q. Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer? One of my most memorable experiences was being named the National Society of Accountants "Speaker of the Year". Lance always welcomes hearing from NATP members. You can contact him at 516.938.5007 or by email at lawallach@aol.com
 February 2008 Member of the Month – Esther M. Odle
Esther Odle knows a thing or two about preparing taxes. She's been doing it for more than 44 years! Her dedication to the industry and to NATP has resulted in her receiving the honor of February Member of the Month. Esther currently serves on the Illinois Board of Directors, as well as the Illinois Nominations Committee. Take a minute to get to know one of NATP's finest. Congratulations Esther! Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes? A. 44 years Q. What is your business name? Where is it located? Do you own it? How many staff members do you employ?
A. The business name is Esther M. Odle, dba Odle Income Tax Service, located in Robinson, IL. I own the business as a sole proprietor. My husband assists by making deposits, running errands, picking up supplies and cooking for me and the staff during tax season. I employ three part-time staff from January through April. One is employed most of the balance of the year. Q. Approximately how many returns do you file each year? Why types of returns do you file? A. We prepare more than 950 returns, including personal income tax, corporate, and partnership returns. We also do sales tax and business reporting returns. Q. Were you in another line of business before doing taxes? A. I was a legal secretary for 19 years. We did taxes as a client service as part of the law office activities. Q. Did you have a mentor early in your career? Do you mentor others? A. In addition to my employer, E.H. Price, two other attorneys, Kent Phillips and Richard Eagleton, would check the inheritance tax return forms that I would prepare and they would then coach me. They also encouraged me to begin my own business. I do mentor others. Q. Are you involved in other tax-related activities? A. I am on the Board of Directors for the IL Chapter of NATP. I am chairperson of the IL NATP Nominations Committee. Q. What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member? A. The education seminars, the monthly and quarterly newsletters and publications, the NATP fellowship, and client Tax Tips. The time NATP spends as a liaison with IRS for the membership is also a plus. Q. What types of NATP activities have you participated in? A. I have attended the Annual Conference four times, the Illinois NATP Annual Conference 20 times, and have attended various 1040 workshops. Q. Why do you recommend NATP to others? What member benefits do you find most beneficial? A. NATP enhances my knowledge of current taxes and tax changes. It provides education and research helpful to both me and my clients. Q. What are the biggest challenges facing tax professionals today? What could NATP do to better prepare them for these challenges? A. Keeping up-to-date with the changing tax laws and rates, both Federal and State. The high standards of NATP education and research assist us with this. Q. Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.? A. My husband, W. Ralph Odle, and I have been married more than 50 years. Together we raised 28 children, four of ours and 24 foster children. I was the Secretary for the Zoning and Planning Committee of the City of Robinson, IL for five years. I did the local labor union accounting for 30 years. I circulated petitions to obtain the correctional center now in our area. I also do various bookkeeping and accounting services for several small businesses. I am a supporter of Eastern Illinois Sportsman Club and am a band booster for Robinson High School band. My hobbies include working in my flower garden, crocheting, embroidery, music and writing. First and foremost are my children and grandchildren.
Q. What are your goals for the future personally and for your career? A. I would like to continue in income tax preparation while shuffling the sales tax and quarterly return work to the staff. This would let me complete some poetry projects. It would also allow more time with the grandchildren. Q. What kinds of things are important to you in life? A. Family, friends, community, my church, and the satisfaction of a job well done. Q. Did you ever have a "defining moment," an embarrassing moment, or another memorable experience related to your career as a tax preparer? A. Expressions of faith in me and trust in what I do have made me very aware of how far-reaching the influence of tax professionals goes. NATP membership, education and fellowship will keep me being the best I can be, both as a person and a tax professional. Click here to download "Tax Thoughts" a poem written by Esther.
 January 2008 Member of the Month – Denise Madeira, EA
Denise is a long time volunteer at NATP. She has served in many capacities – while serving 12 years on the National Board of Directors, she was NATP's first and only female President, as well as holding several other executive committee positions. Her service does not stop at the National level. She has served on many committees and has held many leadership roles within the Pennsylvania Chapter of NATP including Chapter President. Congratulations Denise on being chosen as NATP's January Member of the Month! Q. How many years have you been preparing taxes? A. 23 years Q. Tell us about your business: A. I own Main Street Tax and Accounting Services, Inc. in Bernville, PA with a staff of three people. Q. Approximately how many returns do you file each year? A. I file approximately 409 individual, corporation, partnership, trust, and non-profit returns each year. Q. Were you in another line of business before doing taxes? A. In 1983 my father and I owned a manufacturing business. I handled the financial end of the business. Q. Did you have a mentor early in your career? A. Yes, NATP. Thank goodness for the NATP instructors in 1984 and 1985, they were awesome. Q. What brought you to NATP and what keeps you as a member? A. NATP education and the hands on assistance that I received from the instructors the first two years of this business venture is why I joined NATP. I would never be able to repay NATP for everything that they did for me in my early years in this business. The education and research assistance that I currently receive from NATP, along with networking with my peers is worth every cent I pay in my membership fee. I will always be a member of NATP as long as I am in this line of work. We have a special Pennsylvania network, all due to our wonderful NATP State Chapter, that one would never be able to put a price tag on. Q. Why do you recommend NATP to others? A. I always tell professionals my initial story back in 1985 when I attended an advance partnership workshop. The problem was I never saw or completed a partnership return. Dave Grisha, who was also an instructor at that time, but was attending the same workshop, sat right by my side. He was so helpful along with all the other members that I met during those two days. Even though most of the material was over my head, I could not wait to tackle my first partnership return. From that day forward my business and I both grew into the world of taxation and I've enjoyed every moment of it. Any professional, whether they are just starting out or seasoned professionals, needs NATP education and research services. The member will be extremely lucky if their state also has a Chapter. Belonging to an organization that supports tax professionals, whether they are licensed or not, is so important in today's world of taxation. Q. What member benefits are most beneficial to you? A. Education, research (home office and periodicals), state Chapter, and networking with members. Q. What are the biggest challenges facing tax professionals today? A. Time and support. Q. What could NATP do to better prepare them for those challenges? A. As the sole professional in my office it is hard to pass ideas and theories by someone in my office. Thank goodness for our state Chapter. I also do not have time any more to research more detailed or difficult issues. NATP provides great research, but I also foresee that the level of research and time involved by NATP staff on one question will also increase. Just be prepared for those questions and issues and charge us for it. Q. Can you give a little background on your family, spouse, children, community involvement, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.? A. I am single, divorced back in 1990, no children. I always say when I grow up I want to be just like my mother and grandmothers, they are and were great ladies of this world and very supportive of their family. My mother is the greatest lady in the world. I live in a small town, so community involvement is a must. In 2005 and 2006 I was responsible for our Memorial Day parade. Main Street provides free service to all the town non-profit organizations, library, swimming pool, fire company, children's sports leagues, etc. I try to help the community when I can. My favorite activities are camping and bike riding. I have quite a few hobbies the favorite being reading. Q. What are your goals for the future personally and for your career? A. Well, I am 51 going on 52 years old. Since I started this business I have worked 24/7. My current goal is to try to get my time down to 30 hours a week after tax season. Working 24/7 during tax season is okay, but having one day a week off during this time would also make my day. Another goal is to have a good solid succession plan in place so I can enjoy my semi-retirement when I get those weekly hours down to 30 per week. Q. What kinds of things are important to you in life? A. Helping others and doing everything in my power to ensure that everyone around me is happy and enjoying every moment of their life. I have learned that life is too short and too many people dwell on the small things. Helping others learn what I have is really 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 probably have a few of each. The most memorable experience is serving on the NATP Board. The individuals that I met and the individuals that I had the opportunity to work with and learn from, is the greatest experience that I will never forget. This experience had a lot to do with my personal and professional growth. Most embarrassing (I love telling this story) – Back in the late '80's I had a new client in my office. It was in the evening and my last appointment. I did not have an assistant who worked in the evenings. The phone rang which I answered. The person asked me what color underwear I was wearing. My face got bright red, and I whispered in the phone that I will get even with them and will call them back. It was another professional from PA who I worked with at the state Chapter level. They realized I had someone in my office and could not stop laughing. My new client could not believe how red my face was and continued to ask why my face was so red. I finally told them and they could not stop laughing. Their comment to me was that it was so nice to go to a professional who had a sense of humor. You can contact Denise at dmade42323@aol.com. | 
