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Getting To Know You Tuesday: Craig Aird

Kelly — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:50:04 +0000

It’s Getting To Know You Tuesday! Today’s feature tax pro is tax attorney and fellow coffee addict Craig Aird.

1. Where are you now?

In my office watching the float planes land on Lake Union.

2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?

Associate Attorney. It means I’ve got to get back to work!

3. What books are on your night stand?

I’m currently reading Mängelexemplar by Sarah Kuttner.

4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?

Directeur sportif of a pro cycling team.

5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?

We’re watching Foyle’s War on DVD.

6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?

Estate and gift tax and exempt organizations.

7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?

Plastics.

8. Coffee or tea?

Coffee and lots of it. There are three coffee shops in my building, but I like to walk by the three Starbucks (not kidding) in the building across the street to go to a tiny place with no seats for a truly great latte. The place is located in the ticket window of an old theater and is called Monorail Espresso. And yes I tweet about coffee.

9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).
Juli, Silbermond, David Gray, Counting Crows, Shawn Mullins.

10. What would I be surprised to know about you?

You probably hadn’t appreciated the depths of my coffee obsession. See above.

11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

University of Oregon (International Studies & German) with an exchange year at the Uni Konstanz (Germanistik).

12. If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax code tomorrow – an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever – what would it be?

I’d allow a full deduction for amounts paid for health insurance premiums. That and I’d simplify the GST.

13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

I like In Treatment on HBO.

14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?

I don’t think either of them. Estate tax repeal is too expensive and who understands AMT?

15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?

I think I’d take some time off, ride my bike a bit and do some reading.

16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Daschle, Joe Francis or TARP?

Tax news seems to be quiet at the moment. I’m waiting on an estate tax fix.

17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?

I couldn’t get though my day without checkpoint.

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Thanks Craig!

You can keep up with Craig on Twitter http://twitter.com/CraigAird or check out his firm’s web site.

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If you’d like to recommend a tax pro to be featured send your suggestions to inquiry@taxgirl.com. Self-nominations are totally okay and, in fact, encouraged!
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Getting to Know You Tuesday: Mary Kay Foss

Kelly — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:06:32 +0000

It’s Getting To Know You Tuesday! Today’s featured tax pro is Mary Kay Foss, who I’ve been trying to include for eons but apparently, my server doesn’t like her email. Thankfully, we got past it and we’re onto the interview.

1. Where are you now?

At the office staring at my two large monitors

2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?

Director at Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co. LLP; I love the title because no one knows exactly what it means but it’s a higher rank than a tax manager

3. What books are on your night stand?

Save the Cat (about screenwriting); The Angel (Carla Neggers); Say Goodbye (Lisa Gardner)

4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?

My dream job is to work in the post office and weigh and stamp things – when the line gets long, you just put up the next window sign. My nightmare job is bike messenger in San Francisco.

5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (refresher because Spamalot is in town)

6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?

Estates and trusts; tax compliance and planning in those areas.

7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?

Never buy a new house until you’ve sold the last one.

8. Coffee or tea?

Coffee definitely. Starbucks knows me well.

9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).

James Taylor, Big Sandy, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Brothers IV

10. What would I be surprised to know about you?

I love writing and reading fiction.

11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

University of Minnesota – Accounting major

12. If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax code tomorrow – an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever – what would it be?

Everything to do with cars. I don’t want various depreciation rules based on cost and weight. I don’t want to explain whenever a client calls from the dealership whether they should buy or lease. I don’t want to inquire about total miles and business miles.

13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

NCIS, Forensic Files, CSI (all three), Law & Order Criminal Intent, the Closer

14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?

Hard to believe they’ll do either – but they might understand the estate tax.

15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?

Make a SEP contribution for 2008 (editor’s note: this made sense months ago when Kay first completed the interview)

16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Obama nominees, UBS or TARP?

Obama nominees for sure.

17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?

Leimberg Info Service; irs.gov

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Thanks, Mary Kay!

And if you’re wondering about Mary Kay’s picture, it’s one of a number of caricatures on her firm’s site. You can check all of them out here.

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It’s always great to read about women in the tax field since we’re outnumbered (though you wouldn’t know it from reading my blog!). You can read more women and the profession (lawyers, not the “other” profession) at Leadership, Women, Lawyers.

If you’d like to recommend a tax pro to be featured, male or female, send your suggestions to inquiry@taxgirl.com. Self-nominations are totally okay and, in fact, encouraged!Similar Posts:

Getting to Know You Tuesday: Frank Santoro

Kelly — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:57:46 +0000

It’s Getting to Know You Tuesday! Today’s featured tax professional is Frank “Vinny the Body” Santoro. Frank describes himself as “Preacher’s Wife (on leave), Adoptive Parent, CPA, Libertarian, Musician, Amateur Theologian, Muckraker, Instrument Rated Pilot, Cancer Survivor and Know-It-All.”

Let’s get to the interview!

1. Where are you now?

At home on the couch, logging in to work via VPN. If it were last week I would have been switching back and forth between the White Sox game and “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!”

2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?

Manager, International Corporate Services, Really Big Accounting Firm, Chicago (new title effective 1 July). I suppose it’s pretty self explanatory; I was already managing people, projects, and client relationships before except now I will have a firm-supplied Crackberry, be on call outside of “working hours” and will never have to share a hotel room with a colleague at training ever again. I’m basically smack in the middle of the food chain.

3. What books are on your night stand?

Mostly a pile of New Yorker magazines to catch up on – I’m only 4 or 5 issues behind right now. That and “Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson, which I finished a few months back.

4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?

Pilot or stay at home dad.

5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?

“Up”. Sobbed like a baby during the introduction/backstory and never kept a dry eye for long during the rest of the film.

6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?

Currently international tax for businesses. We generally split our time between advising US clients operating abroad and foreign companies operating in the US. All of our advice is from a US income tax perspective, but we often have to coordinate with colleagues in other countries to assist clients with foreign tax advice. A good deal of my work focuses on foreign tax credit or tax treaty issues.

In my last gig I specialized in religious nonprofit and charitable gift planning tax issues, which is an even more esoteric area than international.

7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?

Never borrow money to buy a depreciating asset.

The best advice my wife ever got was when she was about to enter the ministry (she’s an ordained United Methodist pastor). A good friend told her she needed to get a good CPA. So she married me.

8. Coffee or tea?

Tea (green or caffeine free), although I have been known to drink coffee socially on occasion.

9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).

These days I mostly have podcasts for the daily train/bus ride, but I do have Stephen Colbert’s Christmas Special and “Full Tilt”, the latest album from Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials. And I can go from “Whad’ya Know” to “The McLaughlin Group” to “Car Talk” to “Savage Love Podcast” to “Planet Money” without batting an eye on my commute, although I have had to teach myself to not laugh out loud at Dan Savage’s comments on the train.

10. What would I be surprised to know about you?

- My favorite genres of music are old school rap/hip-hop (Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash, Fat Boys, Run DMC) and bluegrass. No cognitive dissonance, I swear!
- My wife and I met in the Seed and Feed Marching Abominable, Atlanta’s only street theatre cum attack marching band.
- I am a testicular cancer survivor.

11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

I started at Loyola University in New Orleans on a music scholarship, but halfway through decided to switch to accounting. I thought since I was good at math it would logically follow that I would I would enjoy accounting. Wrong!!! All I can say is thank God for tax (Editor’s note: Don’t we all?). I finished my undergrad and Masters in Tax at Georgia State University in Atlanta.

12. If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax code tomorrow – an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever – what would it be?

I would say change the US tax system from a worldwide income basis to a territorial basis (i.e., you only pay tax on what you earn in the US). But then I would probably be out of a job. How about denying a deduction for companies who advertise on reality TV and cable news talk shows?

13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

Ninja Warrior / Sasuke and Unbeatable Banzuke on G4. My wife complains that I often turn up the volume despite the fact that the announcer is speaking Japanese and I don’t understand a word of it. Or anything on Current TV.

14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?

Neither, although I think more meaningful moves will be made to lessen the “collateral damage” from the AMT. The estate tax is here to stay but maybe with a pretty decent exemption (somewhere in the $3-5 million range)

15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?

Either buy a share in a flying club or start our next adoption, depending on who opened the mail.

16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Obama nominees, UBS or TARP?

The UBS story will be a blockbuster if the DOJ backs off like the Times claims. Otherwise TARP, but it’s much more boring.

17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?

TaxProf Blog, but I also follow re:The Auditors on public accounting issues in general.

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Thanks Frank!

You can follow Frank at his blog at http://vinnysgotcancer.blogspot.com – a word of caution: it’s not as frequently updated now as before (but still looks to be a good read).Similar Posts:

Do You Consider Yourself a Tax Pro?

Kelly — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:09:31 +0000

Or do you know someone who is? I’m taking recommendations for my “Getting to Know You Tuesdays” series…

If you have a recommendation for me – and yes, by all means, recommend yourself – please send contact information to gettingtoknow (at) taxgirl (dot) com (the link will format properly).

I’ve been fortunate to interview some wonderful tax pros, many of whom are at the top of their respective professions. You can read some of my previous interviews here. I’m looking forward to some more great interviews!Similar Posts:

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Getting to Know You Tuesday: Monica A. Lawver

Kelly — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:38:44 +0000

It’s Getting to Know You Tuesday! Today’s featured tax pro is Tax Manager Monica A. Lawver. Yes, it’s Lawver. I keep thinking it’s Lawyer with the y cut off – but I would be wrong. Monica works with Thomas York, LLP, out of California, only she lives in Ohio. Intrigued? Keep reading…

1. Where are you now?

Home. I work from home, which is 2,400 miles away from my office. Not easy to do.

2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?

Nothing too flashy – Tax Manager. I review tax returns, train staff, teach clients, and always look for ways to do things better. Some call me Wonder Accountant.

3. What books are on your night stand?

Made to Stick, It’s OK to Be the Boss, Blue Ocean Strategy. (You’re catching me in a management reading phase. I’m not always so intellectual.)

4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?

Probably performing on Broadway. Maybe I could write a musical about a CPA. I mean, who wouldn’t pay to see that?

5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?

Like Taxgirl, I’ve got small children. I can’t remember the last time I went to the movies… I think it was the see the last Indiana Jones movie. Baby-induced sleep deprivation causes regular memory lapses.

6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?

As embarrassing as it is, I find so many areas fascinating that I’m still working on narrowing it down. Right now, key interest areas include construction, S corporations, estates and trusts, and the scariest of all – California state taxes.

7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?

Before spending, always ask: “Do I really need that?”

8. Coffee or tea?

Neither. Not a caffeine drinker, which is a challenge during tax season. [editor's note: I know, people, I know. Very disturbing.]

9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).

KT Tunstall, The Killers, The Beatles, Elvis, Paul Simon

10. What would I be surprised to know about you?

Claymation gives me the creeps. (Yep, you read that right.)

11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

Brigham Young University, Bachelor’s in Accounting, Master’s in Taxation.

12. If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax code tomorrow – an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever – what would it be?

Is completely simplifying it an option? I really don’t want to make the code even longer.

13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

30 Rock.

14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?

AMT – although I’m not holding my breath on either.

15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?

Stash it in savings. Boring, but true!

16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Daschle, Joe Francis or TARP?

TARP

17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?

That’s a tough one. I’m going to have to say two, as both are insightful and funny: Joe Kristan’s Tax Updates and Peter Pappas’ The Tax Lawyer’s Blog

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Thanks Monica! You can catch up with Monica on twitter; at her tax blog or on her personal blog.Similar Posts:

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Getting to Know You Tuesday: Michele R.J. Allinotte

Kelly — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:22:58 +0000

Ooh Canadians!! I’ll admit it. I have a fascination with Canadians. I don’t know if it’s tied to a childhood trip, the wildly odd flick Canadian Bacon or my lifelong love of both Michael J. Fox and maple syrup. Whatever the reason, I couldn’t be more pleased to have as my guest on Getting To Know You Tuesday, a colleague from across the border, the Canadian Lawyerista.

1. Where are you now?

I am sitting in a board room at my firm, which is my temporary office until we complete our renovations. The renovations were supposed to be done months ago.

2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?

My degree designation is LL.B., which means I have a Bachelor of Laws degree. The body which governs lawyers in my province tells me I am a barrister & a solicitor, which means that I am authorized to prepare cases and argue them in court and to take instructions and act on behalf of my client. I am commonly known as a lawyer, which is the term used in Canada instead of the U.S. term “attorney”.

3. What books are on your night stand?

I’m not sure I can remember all the books on my nightstand. They tend to get piled up there after story time with my children, aged 3 and 5. I’m guessing there are some Dr. Seuss books, maybe Scaredy Squirrel. As for my books, I have been trying to get back into The Memory Keepers Daughter for months now. I also think there is a copy of the 500 Best Value Wines at the L.C.B.O. (the L.C.B.O. operates the stores authorized to sell alcohol in my province) and a copy of The Everything Green book, a book on living environmentally friendly. There are also copies of Real Simple, Lou Lou and Flare magazine (a habit which is not very green!).

4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?

If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would likely be doing something in sales or retail management. I worked in sales and retail before I started my career and I enjoyed it. Back in high school I took some career planning tests, and I scored high in both sales and law. My real dream job would be no job at all, but to be independently wealthy and spend my days volunteering, being a mom and living as green a life as possible on my farm, which would probably be more work than my job is now. Farming is not easy.

5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?

The last movie I saw was Dan in Real Life. It was ok, since I love Steve Carrell.

6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?

I like corporate tax, and particularly its intersection with estate planning. It is astonishing the taxes that can be saved by corporations and their shareholders with a proper estate plan and proper planning to take advantage of tax savings during the life of the corporation.

7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?

I don’t even know if anyone has ever given me tax advice, I’ve learned most of what I know in the course of my work, so it is not like anyone sat me down to say “here is what you need to know”. The single best advice I have learned to give is that individuals who are shareholders in a corporation need to have two separate wills – one to dispose of the shares alone and anything else that does not require formal estate administration, and another will for everything else. The will disposing of the shares can transfer the shares and the other exempted assets without paying any estate taxes.

8. Coffee or tea?

I love my tea, but I’m pretty much having difficulty waking up without a few cups of coffee these days, so coffee it is.

9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).

The Decemberists, Death Cab for Cutie, Elvis Costello, David Bowie, Feist. I listen to music most of the day in the background (often on last.fm) and in the car with my kids too.

10. What would I be surprised to know about you?

Well, #4 might have given this away a bit, but I live on a farm. We are not really actively farming right now, but we have had about 30 head of cattle in the past. I have driven a tractor and a backhoe, chased cows back into the pasture in the middle of the night, shovelled manure and birthed a calf. We have a garden and will be getting some laying hens soon.

11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

My undergraduate degree is from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. That degree is a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), with a concentration in Sociology. My thesis was on female fear of crime. My first year of law school was at Queen’s as well, and then I transferred to the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario to complete my degree.

12. If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax code tomorrow – an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever – what would it be?

Hmm, my sense of fairness is what prompts me to give this answer, although personal tax is not a huge part of my work. In Canada there is a supplement provided to children under six every month, regardless of income. There are other supplements available as well, depending on income and province of residence. These supplements are taxable, which irks me, especially for the benefits provided to low income families.

13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

I don’t have a lot of time to watch TV. I either PVR stuff to watch later or watch things online, but about all I am following right now is Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. I will watch fashion shows like What Not to Wear if I have the time, which is never.

14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?

I can’t really answer this question since I practice in Canada, but in terms of the Canadian situation, our current government is Conservative and I expect them to reduce our universal goods and services tax. It has already been reduced twice and is now at 5% down from 7%.

15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?

Well, if Uncle Sam gave me a cheque that would be a real bonus since I don’t reside in the U.S.. I am getting a substantial refund from the Canadian government. We are setting some of the funds aside in a special family vacation savings account and the rest we plan to put into R.R.S.P.s for me, since I do not have a pension plan with my employment. R.R.S.P.s are Canada’s equivalent to 401Ks. We also may put a portion into an emergency fund.

16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Daschle, Joe Francis or TARP?

Well, my answer on this one is not really a professional analysis, but I would have to say Joe Francis, because he cropped up on perezhilton.com (a guilty pleasure for quick distraction!).

17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?

Hmm. I don’t follow any one site or group of sites, I just look things up as I need them. The federal and provincial government web sites I use often to review procedures, confirm the wording of legislation, pull forms and instruction guides and read tax rulings or interpretation guides from Canada Revenue Agency.

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Thanks Michele! You can find out more about Michele on her firm web site. You can also check out her blog and follow her on twitter.Similar Posts:

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Getting To Know You Tuesday: Kevin Foley

Kelly — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:11:39 +0000

It’s Getting To Know You Tuesday! Today’s guest is CPA Kevin Foley. Interestingly, Kevin has his CPA but doesn’t actively practice tax now. Read on…

1. Where are you now?

In my office, in my home in Freehold, NJ

2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?

Depends on the audience… Dad for 2, Uncle to 18, Son to 1, Brother to 6, brother in law to 7, SOB at work (son of boss) except boss is dead, so I guess I’m boss, CPA, Certified Public Accountant and CPCU, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter

3. What books are on your night stand?

Moby Dick (still trying to catch up on my HS reading list), Duct Tape Marketing and Twitter Power

4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?

I don’t work in the tax profession… I did work for Touche Ross & Co (now Deloitte & Touche), but that was auditing, not tax and many years ago. I got my CPA and went into the family business, an insurance agency and I don’t think I’d be happier anywhere else.

5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?

Return of the Pink Panther… the kids (9yo and 11yo) love the old Pink Panther movies with Peter Sellers (editor’s note: the kids have good taste!)

6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?

Minimizing MY tax liability

7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?

Start with the refund you want, then work your way backwards. I haven’t tried it… yet.

8. Coffee or tea?

Coffee. Cream, no sugar

9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).

Mozart, Vivaldi, Smash Mouth, Springsteen (it’s a law in NJ) and Sinatra (another NJ law)

10. What would I be surprised to know about you?

I take my Chocolate Lab, Bonnie swimming every Monday for a half hour

11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

St. Bonaventure University, Business Administration, Accounting

12. If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax code tomorrow – an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever – what would it be?

It makes my hair hurt thinking of an answer

13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?

AMT

15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?

Buy a whip and beat my accountant for loaning the government my money, interest free.

16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Daschle, Joe Francis or TARP?

TARP

17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?

IRS.gov… it’s the only other one I’ve ever looked at

Thanks Kevin! It’s great to have the scoop from a tax pro that’s gone onto other things.

Kevin works for PFT&K Insurance Brokers (877-414-2031 Toll Free Phone) – you can also follow him on twitter!Similar Posts:

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Getting to Know You Tuesday: Sheryl Schuff

Kelly — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:15:33 +0000

It’s Getting To Know You Tuesday! Today’s guest is CPA Sheryl Schuff. Sheryl and I met on twitter. She’s an internet biz tax maven – perfect for taxgirl.com!

1. Where are you now?

At my computer, in my home-based office, in Indianapolis, IN

2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?

I’m a CPA which means I’m a Certified Public Accountant, but it doesn’t mean that my working hours are consumed by preparing oodles of tax returns. It does mean that I have a degree in accounting (MBA) and that I passed a big important exam in Chicago over 30 years ago.

I’m also the founder of the Business Startup Success Club which means that now I use my skills and experience to teach folks about taxes and forms of business structure and how to use the power of the Internet to build strong foundations and run successful businesses.

3. What books are on your night stand?

Career Renegade by Jonathan Fields, Tribes by Seth Godin, Reality Check by Guy Kawasaki, and Conscious Loving by Gay Hendricks & Kathlyn Hendricks.

4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?

Writing (full-time) about free software that helps people accomplish important tasks.

5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?

Milk

6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?

Teaching new (and prospective) business owners how their choice of entity affects their taxes and teaching them how to work more effectively with their CPAs, attorneys, and tax preparers.

7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?

Set up a corporation for your business with a Sec 105 medical reimbursement plan.

8. Coffee or tea?

Coffee, black, and very hot. Especially Snickerdoodle or chocolate raspberry freshly ground from the local coffee shop that’s within walking distance and serves as my “outside” office.

9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).

Celine Dion, Brad Paisley, Savage Garden, Keith Urban, George Strait

10. What would I be surprised to know about you?

I’m an Advanced Class ham radio operator.

11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

My BS (math/computer science) is from Purdue University and my MBA (accounting/finance) is from the University of Chicago.

12. If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax code tomorrow – an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever – what would it be?

I would make certain that the Federal filing status MFJ applied equally to all married couples (gay and straight) and to all domestic partnerships (gay and straight).

13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

The Weather Channel is about all I watch and not much of that. When AT&T U-verse gets to our neighborhood and we have 100 or more channels available, that will probably change.

14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?

AMT first, though I think repeal of either is unlikely any time soon.

15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?

Go snorkeling in the Keys

16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Daschle, Joe Francis or TARP?

Definitely TARP

17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?

Accountant’s World is a very distant second.

You can find Sheryl in a couple of places…

On her web site: SherylSchuff.com/blog

Radio show: BlogTalkRadio.com/SherylSchuff (live on Wednesdays, 8:30 PM ET, recorded and downloadable afterwards)

Follow Sheryl on Twitter: @SherylSchuff

Even better? She’s guesting on taxgirl tomorrow – check back for her featured post!Similar Posts:

Getting to Know You Tuesday: Stuart C. Wardlaw

Kelly — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:30:34 +0000

It’s Getting To Know You Tuesday! Today’s guest is cello-playing CPA Stuart C. Wardlaw (there’s a joke in there somewhere, I’m sure). Let the interview begin…

1. Where are you now?

Let’s see…in the sanctum sanctorum; better known as the office in my house. The room is my retreat…, work, wife’s dog and clients are prohibited here. Its 71 degrees F outside here in Fort Lauderdale, Florida….the most beautiful time of year, and its #!%%# tax season!

2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?

CPA, which you probably know, translates to “Cleaning, Pressing and Alterations, or Constant Pain in the A**.

3. What books are on your night stand?

Ha! am the proud owner of a Kindle Reader. Just finished Plum Spooky, by Janet Evanovich (it’s VERY funny). Am currently slogging through Gulag Archipelego, by Alexander Solzenitzin. Its heavy reading, so I take it in small doses. Am just starting An Ice Cold Grave, by Charlaine Harris. Her previous two books in this “grave” series are well worth the read.

4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?

Actually, am doing my dream job as a semi-professional/good amateur. Play cello in several symphonies, chamber orchestras and string quartets. During tax season, participate in a large symphony and a pops orchestra only. Too busy for any more than that. It may be exhausting at times, but is a total enjoyment…..plus is the only way I have been able to work with others successfully in a “team” effort.

5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?

Ack! Haven’t stepped inside a movie theatre in several years! As for DVD….don’t watch those much….think the last one was The Forsythe Saga, from the PBS series several years ago.

6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?

Estate and Gift, without a doubt. We get a lot of exposure to it here in South Florida. The tax and tax planning side of Estate and Gift is more fun than the probate side, which is strictly “attorney territory” in this state, anyway. I’ll take the tax work, any day.

7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?

My father once told me: “Son, your name is the most important thing you own. Keep your record and credit rating clean.” In this day and age, can’t think of better advice.

8. Coffee or tea?

Our office serves coffee made in a Cuisinart Grind ‘n Brew, or a Tassimo coffeemaker. Have the same gear here at home. In South Florida, you don’t see much hot tea.

9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).

Predictable for a classical musician…..Beethoven, Vaughn Williams, Haydn, Brahms, and smatterings of Goldmark. My wife says my tastes in music are pretty narrow, and she is absolutely correct.

10. What would I be surprised to know about you?

Hmmm….most people are surprised that my wife and I met in a symphony (she is a former violinist), and that she is 28 years my junior….which some disapprove of. We have a very happy marriage for the last 15 years, so who cares if they disapprove?

11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

FAU (Find Another University)…ok, Florida Atlantic University in Boca. Major in Accounting, music minor.

12. If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax code tomorrow – an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever – what would it be?

Would like to repeal or at least soften the blow of the plethora of limitations in the tax code. Its hell to hand a client a deduction with the left hand, then take it away with the right. Good examples are Medical deductions and casualty losses. The limitations also crowd the code with a lot of stupid gamesmanship, and gives idiots like Grover Norquist lots of ammo for bogus “simplification” arguments.

13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

Watch so little….but love Battlestar Galactica!

14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?

Doubt that either will be repealed, but if it happens, the AMT will be first to go. Good Riddance! If the estate tax is ever repealed, we will be in a real mess….because “carryover basis” (better known as “Capital Gains on inherited property using the decedent’s cost basis”) will rear its ugly head once again.

15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?

Pray that the check is good, and arrange transportation to a safe haven country. Paraguay isn’t bad if you hire a small army to protect you.

16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Daschle, Joe Francis or TARP?

Joe Francis, for all the wrong reasons. He will probably get away with it, as in “Wesley Snipes”.

17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?

WebCPA.com

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Thanks, Stuart! As a tax pro buried under several inches of snow, you’ll get little sympathy from me for your weather…Similar Posts:

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Getting to Know You Tuesday: Kelly Phillips

Kelly — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:52:33 +0000

Getting To Know You Tuesdays are back! And I couldn’t be more excited to reintroduce the feature than with an interview with Kelly Phillips. No, I’m not that narcissistic as to feature myself twice (even I would get sick of me). Believe it or not, there is another Kelly Phillips in the world practicing tax. And she’s delightful. So, onto the interview…

1. Where are you now?

Little Rock, AR at a Telecommunications Company

2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?

Tax Manager – it means I review a lot of tax returns! We file in practically every state for a lot of companies, so I review all of the proforma federal returns, state returns, estimates and extensions; make sure no states fall through the cracks; respond to notices; coordinate state audits; and I get somewhat involved in the quarterly provision and year end 10-K processes. Plus I do all kinds of other crazy projects like transaction cost studies, IRS audit requests, external, internal and SOX auditor requests, gathering regulatory information, and researching various state credits and what’s needed for those.

3. What books are on your night stand?

Oh, goodness, I’m sort of ashamed, but I think a picture might be the best way to answer this… (see right). I’m an avid reader. I stack the books up and just head down the pile. In my heyday (B.C. – before children) I could read 3-5 books a week and throw in a couple extra on the weekends. It’s slowed down a little, but I don’t normally leave the house without a book or magazine. I always told my husband that there are worse things to be addicted to than books.

4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?

Since I’ve been practicing my 10 key skills from the ripe age of 10 and heading up ledger pages for my aunt to earn extra money over Christmas break since jr high, I’ve been preparing to be an accountant most of my life. If I had to pick something else, hmmm? Do they pay people (a lot of money) to read? I would like to do that.

5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?

My daughter was in the hospital over Christmas and I watched a bunch of movies then since she was only 3 months old and just wanted to be held. The Spiderwick Chronicles, Made of Honor, Enchanted and the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian kept me entertained. (Apparently I have some sort of fascination with Patrick Dempsy and chronicles.) And I watched Eastern Promises but I thought it was terrible.

6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?
Are office supplies a special interest? Because I really like pens. [editor's note: Me too!] Kidding. I’m really a generalist. When I was in public accounting, I did mainly professional organizations – lawyers, doctors, service providers. I did business and personal returns. This is my true love. I do corporate taxes now, no individuals, and I miss the client interaction and 1040’s. I love boxes of receipts.

I’m also into helping bloggers get their taxes in order. Whether that be filing LLC and FEIN paperwork, preparing 1099’s or filing out Schedule C’s, I like to help “mommybloggers” who might be in over their heads get it straightened out.

7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?

Check your work. A stupid mistake is probably going to cause you more trouble in the long run than if you just took the extra 15 minutes to double check. And don’t always take the client’s word for it.

8. Coffee or tea?

Neither. I know it’s sacrilege for an accountant to not drink coffee and for a Southerner to not drink sweet tea, but the smell of coffee makes me gag and the only sweet tea I ever drank was my Granny’s. Just water for me.

[editor's note: Please, no phone calls. I am actively investigating whether Kelly is a true Southerner as you read... I, too, was simply shocked to hear this.]

9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).
Br>I’m truly sorry I’m such a dork. I don’t even own an Ipod, or any kind of MP3 player at all. If I had an Ipod, it would probably have Barry Manilow (don’t be a hater), some classic rock, 50’s pop, and a bunch of classic country artists. Although at the conference I went to this weekend, we had a special performance by Chris Mann, who was awesome and charming, so I might include him. Last time I went to this conference we heard Jessie Baylin, and I loved her too.

10. What would I be surprised to know about you?

I’m six feet tall. I grew up in a town that used to be a plantation. My backyard stopped at a cotton field. I’ve driven a combine. I’m incredibly clutzy.

11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?

The University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas. I got a BBA in Accounting with a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. My senior thesis was on the past, present and future of the Supreme Court. I also have a Masters in Accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

12. If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax code tomorrow – an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever – what would it be?

I would repeal the home office deduction. That deduction causes more problems and headaches, and homeowners just salivate over the chance to take a deduction for their home office, and it is SUCH A PAIN IN THE NECK for practically nothing.

13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?

Lost, Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, Big Love, Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters, Life on Mars. That’s all I have time for with some Jon & Kate Plus 8 thrown in for filler. Oh, and Wheel of Fortune, because my brother is going to be a contestant on the March 26th show.

14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?

Please, like Congress is ever going to get rid of those two money makers! They both seem equally ridiculous to me, but I bet AMT tax goes away or gets overhauled first. AMT has become very lucrative, but the estate tax is imposed on dead folks, so who’s really complaining about that? People who are going to be dead. And they can’t vote.

15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?

It would be a miracle if I ever got a refund. Buy my plane tickets to Blogher. And I’m sure my husband could find some Magic cards that he needed to purchase. I’d probably put the rest in the kid’s college funds.

16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Daschle, Joe Francis or TARP?

Joe Francis and Tom Daschle’s smiles are eerily similar if you check them out of wikipedia… I think they’re both morons for not paying taxes. The IRS is going to catch up with you sooner or later.

I’m going with TARP as the biggest newsmaker. I think more people have an opinion about this bailout than any other government program.

17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?

Nothing exciting here, BNA and CCH are mainstays in my work. As for entertainment, (if tax can ever be entertaining) I check out CPA trendlines on a regular basis, their twitter feed always has some good articles.

You can find Kelly at www.mrscpa.net, where she mommyblogs with some tax talk thrown in here and there. She also writes reviews at www.wanttoknowwhatithink.com and vlog (Dad, that means “video blog”) at newbaby.com.

Thanks, Kelly, for playing along!

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If you’re a tax professional and you’d like to be featured, shoot me an email or DM me on twitter!
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