I hate to fly. I hate the whole waiting in lines and getting jostled about like cattle and being treated fairly poorly by folks who sometimes make me wonder how they actually managed to land a job with that particular set of social skills (yes, I’m talking to you, cranky TSA woman at the Chicago airport). With that information, suffice it to say that I am not at my best at the airport… Which brings me to today’s Getting To Know You Tuesday tax pro.
A few weeks ago, I was standing in line, agitated, waiting to board a flight in Philly when a gentleman wandered over and asked me if I might be Taxgirl. I said that I was and he introduced himself, all while I was nervously fidgeting. Later, I worried that my craziness over the flight might have been interpreted as being rude (a Southern girl’s biggest nightmare) so I waited around after the flight to apologize. We ended up chatting – and sharing a cab – and found out that we had quite a bit in common. Like me, Scott has three kids, lives in the Philly metropolitan area and loves coffee. We gabbed about the Phillies (a moment of silence, please) and tax all of the way to the hotel at our convention. He’s a super interesting guy and I realized that he would make a great candidate for the series. Here’s what Scott had to say:
1. Where are you now?
Early on a Sunday morning at my kitchen table with my favorite cup of coffee
2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?
Husband and dad… that means an amazing woman was crazy enough to marry me and ensure that our three kids eat and live well each day. Oh, and I am a CPA and Founder at Kregel & Company CPA where I work to keep our entire team focused on customer experience and giving opportunity, peace of mind and inspiration to our small business customers.
3. What books are on your night stand?
Just finished The Accidental Creative (Todd Henry), Drive (Daniel Pink) and Traction (Gino Wickman)
4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?
Can I answer this question and say that I love what I am doing… building something that is bigger than myself. Although being that weatherman who stands on the beach in a hurricane and tells everyone that the weather is really bad does seem exciting!
5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?
I don’t know… yes that is lame, but I honestly fall asleep whenever I try to watch a movie
6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?
Flow-through entities for small businesses
7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?
Best financial advice is to live within your needs, plan for your wants, and prioritize your saving and giving
8. Coffee or tea?
Coffee, dark roast
9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).
Coldplay, The Decemberists, Sam Styke, George Winston
10. What would I be surprised to know about you?
I worked on a dude ranch in CO during a summer in college
11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?
Taylor University, 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?
Refundable credits… just don’t like ’em, any of them
13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?
I would like to say The Phillies but they kind of stink right now… oh, and see Q5 above
14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?
AMT because I don’t think anyone understands it
15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?
College Savings Plan… I can’t believe what our kids education will cost (Author’s note: Me either, Scott!)
16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Obama, Bloomberg or Buffett?
I believe Obama has the most influence, but Buffet’s Millionaire tax keeps showing up in the media
17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?
Hat’s off to you Kelly on this one, but I do occasionally peruse taxfoundation.org
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Thanks, Scott! You can follow Scott on twitter @scottkregelcpa.
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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!