Next in line for Getting To Know You Tuesdays is Shayna B. Chapman, CPA CITP CGMA, of Chapman & Burris CPAs LLC in Gallipolis, Ohio. Here’s what Shayna had to say:
1. Where are you now?
In my home office overlooking the beautiful Ohio River where there is some peace and quiet.
2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?
Member Manager — I have no idea…. I’m going to change it to CCC, Chief Chick in Charge. Accounting Ninja and Accounting Rockstar are already taken.
3. What books are on your night stand?
These are truly on my nightstand: 1) Janet Evanovich’s Twelve Sharp 2) Ron Baker’s Implementing Value Pricing: A Radical Business Model for Professional Firms, and 3) James Patterson’s Don’t Blink. Depends on my anxiety level as to which I pickup.
4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?
Since I was a little girl I wanted to run a major sports team. Baseball, Hockey, or Football.
5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?
Adam Sandler’s Click – It’s a good reminder on work/life balance. Something that hits home when your 7 year-old child asks every day when tax season will be over.
6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?
I’m mostly a small business tax girl dealing with all kinds of small tax issues and planning. Because these are small businesses, this also involves the owner’s personal returns and planning.
7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?
Don’t do it.
8. Coffee or tea?
Cheap black coffee – preferably from a gas station with a pretty cup and a nice lid. Expensive coffee shops are overrated, unless I need the WiFi. Besides, have you ever tried to order a “medium black coffee” at a Starbucks? It takes them awhile to figure out what to do with such simplicity. (Author’s note: Agreed on all points except the gas station part since I don’t drive unless I absolutely have to.)
9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).
My most played list on my iPhone: Train, Seether, Avril, Buffett, Linkin Park
10. What would I be surprised to know about you?
I bake to relieve stress. I’m well-known for chocolate chip cookies.
11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?
You would think this to be a simple question, but I grew up in a CPA household, so I denied my true CPA calling for as long as I could. Attended the best basketball school in the Nation, University of Kentucky, took some time to check out Temple University Japan in Tokyo, and graduated from Marshall University, with an Accounting Degree and a lot of Japanese studies. We are… MARSHALL!
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 abolish the EITC. So much fraud and waste.
13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?
the off button
14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?
Oh…. neither…. But I think they’ll make the Estate Tax minimum more appropriate before they take care of AMT. I don’t think Congress, nor anyone else, understands AMT so they just keep dodging it.
15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?
Use it to help restore my old 1860s house.
16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Obama, Bloomberg or Buffett?
Buffett’s Secretary
17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?
Does Twitter count? It’s like an entire newspaper of tax stories. Each tweet is a headline and then I click on the link if I want to open the story. It really is my go to.
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Thanks, Shayna! You can follow Shayna on twitter at @shaynacpa.
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If you’d like to recommend a tax pro to be featured send your suggestions to inquiry (at) taxgirl (dot) com. Self-nominations are totally okay and, in fact, encouraged!
