It’s Getting To You Know Tuesday!
Ranelli Williams is many things: a Certified Public Accountant, best-selling author, speaker, entrepreneur, and Legacy Building Catalyst, working with faith-based entrepreneurs and couples to master their money and work towards building a strong financial legacy. Here’s what Ranelli had to say:
1. Where are you now?
In my office in Stroudsburg, PA.
2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?
Certified Public Accountant, which means that I took and passed a very stringent exam to become licensed in the Accounting profession.
3. What books are on your nightstand?
Think & Grow Rich; Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer; my book, Releasing the Fear & Walking in Faith, and the Bible.
4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?
I would be speaking on stages empowering couples and small business owners on mastering their money (both personal and business); on incorporating belief and boldness in their lives to yield big blessings; and on working towards building a strong financial legacy.
5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theater)?
I don’t remember but The Pursuit of Happyness stands out for me. It is so important for every entrepreneur to embrace their passion and be willing to sacrificially pursue their dreams.
6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?
I am so passionate about helping small business owners, especially home based business owners take advantage of the tax benefits that are available to them. I find too many people leaving money on the table because of lack of knowledge in the area.
7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?
Never invest in anything that does not bring you a return.
8. Coffee or tea?
Tea and specifically, Honey Ginger. That’s my favorite herbal tea.
9. Name five artists on your iPod or digital player.
Hillsong, Smokie Norful, Donnie McClurkin, Luther Vandross, and Whitney Houston.
10. What would I be surprised to know about you?
With my hectic schedule as a wife, mother, ministry leader, adjunct instructor, best-selling author, speaker, doctoral candidate, business owner, conference host and so much more, people would be surprised that growing up I was referred to as lazy.
11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?
I attended Baruch College, City University of New York for both my undergraduate in Accounting and my MBA. I am currently attending Walden University pursuing a DBA with a specialization in Entrepreneurship.
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 allow professionals (lawyers, accountants, doctors, nurses, etc) who donate time to charity to be able to deduct the monetary equivalent of that time or at least a portion of it.
13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?
I hardly ever watch any TV but if I had to guess, I would have to say either Like A Boss or Beyond the Tank. I like anything that empowers entrepreneurs to learn, grow, and build strong empires.
14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?
I am not sure, probably the AMT. What I do know is that the money has to come from somewhere and more than likely will be passed on to the middle class, who are already struggling.
15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?
Invest some in my business and use the rest to get one step closer to my plan of being totally debt free.
16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Trump, Ryan, identity thieves or the EU?
Trump is the biggest thing on the news right now period, not just for tax.
17. And, other than Taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax-related website?
http://time.com/money/topic/tax-guide/
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Thanks, Ranelli! You can find out more about Ranelli on her website at www.erjservices.com. You can find out more about her book here. To connect on social media, you can follow Ranelli on Twitter or like her on Facebook.
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If you’d like to recommend a tax pro to be featured send your suggestions to kelly (dot) erb (at) taxgirl (dot) com with the subject: Getting To Know You Tuesday (it’s tax season: use anything else and it could get lost, you’ve been warned). Self-nominations are totally okay and, in fact, encouraged!