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!
