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
—
Thanks, Stuart! As a tax pro buried under several inches of snow, you’ll get little sympathy from me for your weather…
Hi Stuart,
We CPAs sure know how to laugh at ourself anywhere in the world. In India, after a few years you become a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA). Guess what it is called – First Class Ass. Of course, when you discuss it with your clients, you call your self a First Class Ace.
Now that the tax season is over, hope you have more time to play the cello.
😎
Lubna