MEET YOUR TEAM
We're big enough to serve you, and small enough to know you.
Management
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KRIS HANNAH
PARTNER
Kris earned a finance degree from Oral Roberts University and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. Kris co-founded and is a partner with ProTax & D.R. Financial Group Inc. His first-hand experience gives him a unique perspective and insight into accounting, financial planning, and investments. Kris is married to his wife Lindsay, and they have three daughters and one son.
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MARK ELLINGTON
PARTNER
For the better part of 25 years, Mark has had first-hand experience using strategies that help clients reduce taxes and implement asset protection. Mark brings multi-faceted experience that encourages and motivates our clients to Create, Preserve, and Retain Wealth. Mark has enjoyed 44 years of marriage to his wife, Renita, and together they have two children and three grandchildren.
Accounting
If you’re exploring hiring a professional to do your taxes, you may come across the terms enrolled agent (EA) or certified public accountant (CPA). You might know that both are designations for tax preparers, but when it comes to the details you could be asking, “enrolled agent vs. CPA—what’s the difference?” While both CPAs and EAs have expertise in taxes, the requirements to achieve these credentials differ. An enrolled agent is a tax practitioner who is licensed at the federal level by the Internal Revenue Service. In fact, enrolled agent status is the highest credential awarded by the IRS. On the other hand, certified public accountants are licensed by their applicable state boards of accountancy.
Why is this important? A certified public accountant (CPA) is a professional accountant who met state qualifications. A CPA is licensed by a state and must keep current with tax laws to maintain a license in that state. An accountant must pass the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and meet other education work requirements to become a CPA. Only CPAs can perform mandatory audits for publicly traded U.S. companies, and only CPAs can prepare and analyze financial statements.
JAMES YERGENS, CPA
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
Jim has been in public accounting since 1999. Jim specializes in business, personal and estate planning utilizing tax strategies to promote business and personal tax planning.
HEATHER AMADOR, CPA
Chartered Public Accountant
Heather is CPA and graduated from Purdue University (Go Boilermakers!) with her master’s degree in Accounting and Taxation. Heather loves doing all returns and especially takes joy in teaching people about taxes.
HANNAH NEUENSCHWANDER
TAX AND PAYROLL SPECIALIST
Hannah brings with her a Bachelor's degree in accounting and over 6 years of experience. In her free time, Hannah enjoys spending time with her family and reading.
SHANNON MERRIMAN
TAX PREPARER
Shannon has been a tax preparer for over 8 years. Shannon specializes in individual tax preparation and is an integral part of our accounting department. In her free time, Shannon enjoys traveling and attending live music events.
Bookkeeping
Bookkeepers are trained using the same financial recording methods as accountants. They do this so that your accountant can quickly and easily process your financial information.
They will:
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Receive all your receipts, invoices and other transaction details.
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Record the information in accounting software using proper accounting methods.
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Work with you to make sense of the numbers, for example assigning costs to specific clients.
But there's more to bookkeeping than recording daily transactions. People who do this work are usually highly skilled at using accounting software.
They can advise you on:
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add-on solutions to streamline your business workflow, such as POS tools
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payroll services to simplify the way you pay your staff
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bookkeeping rescue work, tidying up mistakes made by inexperienced staff
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training for small business on using accounting software.
They can also offer day-to-day support for small business owners. In fact a good bookkeeper is your partner in keeping things running smoothly within your business.
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DAWN GUIFF
BOOKKEEPING DEPT. MANAGER
Dawn has a Business Administration degree from Findlay College, and over 30 years of experience in accounting and bookkeeping services. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and sitting by campfires.
DONNA BIELSKI
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Donna has been putting a smile on our client's faces for over 8 years. There is not a thing she won't do to make sure our clients are receiving the absolute best service.
IRENE WAIKEL
BOOKKEEPER
Irene has over 15 years of experience in the accounting and bookkeeping industry. In her free time, she enjoys doing puzzles and reading.
Administration
ALEXANDER SLOFFER
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Alex earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration from Purdue University. Alex is currently attending Purdue Fort Wayne studying to become a CPA. In his free time, he enjoys playing the saxophone and going fishing.